Had a crankshaft problem, nothing is fixing it, please help.

[ThatSNninety5]

As my previous forum I had up with my 98’ mustang and having that crankshaft problem, nothing is working, I need ideas. Heres a list of things replaced (Code is P0320- Pip circuit failure)
-Crankshaft sensor (Dorman)
-Camshaft sensor(Motorcraft)
-Passenger side ignition coil bank (Motorcraft)
-8 spark plugs (NGK)
-Starter motor and solenoid
-The biggest one my PCM, which I just got the key programmed to and picked it up.

I truly dont understand what else it would be, my harness has continuity, my fuel pressure is good, but all it does and sputter and misfire, it seems as if it only misfires on the passenger side. I truly dont understand what is happening.

 

[ttocs]

what problems are you having? Just no crank/start or no crank?

 

[96blak54]

Does the 98 have a fuel rail psi sensor?

 

[ThatSNninety5]

what problems are you having? Just no crank/start or no crank?

No, it starts up, it just still does that sputtering real bad, and misfire, now what ive noticed is it only misfires on the passenger side and last night my friend suggested it could be mechanic timing, so I cranked the car, popped the hood, gave it a listen and by my passenger side valve cover/timing cover it sounded like a chain or something of heavy metal slapping off something plastic, it isnt loud enough to hear just sitting in the car, you have to pop the hood and then youll hear, but could a loose timing chain cause code P0320?

 

[RAU03MACH]

Does the 98 have a fuel rail psi sensor?

no they dont have it

 

[RAU03MACH]

it may be a timing issue
if that car has a lot of miles on it
it could be a tooth off or teeth off

 

[ThatSNninety5]

it may be a timing issue
if that car has a lot of miles on it
it could be a tooth off or teeth off

How would I check? Just take the timing cover off?

 

[RAU03MACH]

pull the cover and turn the crank till marks are aligned
if your not aligned than youl need a timing chain kit
start with a new one

 

[ThatSNninety5]

My friends dad is a mechanic and he told me to take the serpentine belt off and see if it still makes that noise so I did just that and the noise is gone. Do you guys think I should just go back to when the problem started (when I did my heater core) and pull my dash back off and see if I messed something up or pinched anything putting my dash back on? Is there anything behind the dash that could cause this, wire harness, ground etc. ??

 

[96blak54]

WOW your situation just down right sux! I hope you get it figured out!

 

[SnakeBit!]

sounds like, by your description, the chain is loose and slapping against the guide. time probably as Rau03mach said, for a new timing chain and guides. may have jumped a tooth or two.

 

[I_LIKE_TURTLEZ]

Pulling the cover just to look at the timing marks is extreme, you should diagnose the more likely components first. Especially since removing the serpentine belt got rid of the noise.

-Checking wire continuity is a virtually worthless test, just because a wire is technically intact doesn't mean it's capable of carrying the required load.
-You need to follow the code & verify every wire going to/from the crank/cam position sensors(preferably with an oscilloscope handy).
-You created more problems/unknowns by replacing OEM parts with aftermarket junk, new doesn't mean good. Never buy anything but OEM sensors.


Pay the small nominal fee for Ford's service data & it will provide what we call a "trouble tree" that takes you step-by-step for your code, you can skip any continuity tests though..

Since this apparently started after your dash removal I would also revisit that, it is possible you pinched/damaged something.

 

[SnakeBit!]

invest in a mechanic's stethoscope, they are cheap and listen to the front cover. if is is the chain, I am quite sure you will hear and know that is where the sound is coming from, if not there, keep moving around and listening.