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1995 Ford Escort Sport LX 1.9L with 182,000 miles at first problems with the idle, acceleration, were the main issues. when it is at a complete stop, it idles rough, then dies. so, i check the filters, changed them. still happened. went and changed the fuel filter, still happened. then one day, it stalled and did not start, so i go to change the pump, and found out about the inertia switch, i pressed it and it started up again, the problem was still there so i went and replaced the the fuel pump, still happened, i can hear the fuel pump now though, sometimes.

i couldn't use my code scanner because the check engine light was not on, plus it was not maintaining a correct idle, it came back with
---538 ----"insufficient rpm change during dynamic response test or invalid cylinder balance test - cylinder identification problems."

i ran a KOER self test, and i think it came back with
--- code 33 ---"EGR Valve position (evp) sensor or pressure feedback EGR (PFE) sensor indicates EGR valve is not opening or, not seated properly."

And now today, the car started to die, A LOT MORE than it ever has. when i was driving home, on interstate 880, it acted really funny, loosing power, when going at a steep incline in the road loosing a lot of power, sometimes seeming to drive a lot faster than normal, then to loose power while my foot was on the gas, oh yea, my check engine light is now on.

UPDATE ON THIS:
ok now i replaced the o2 sensor, and it still is happening, now though when it starts it idles really rough quciker than it did, and dies quick. i mean basiclly it starts then shuts off just as quick as it started, and now, my battery light is on. when the car is running, for the 10 seconds it runs   im getting discouraged which one of these would it be:?

1. mass air flow sensor
2. egr valve or solenoid

or can it be the fuel pressure regulator?

well it turns out that the white smoke was caused by the new o2 sensor, burning all of what my catalitic converter had endured from the old o2 sensor, running rich or sumthin', so, no more white smoke, but i still have the same problem.....

back to the drawing board, i went ahead and went to pick and pull and got a used mass air flow sensor and idle air control valve....its worth a shot....my 2 questions are:

1) is there anything i need to do to the engine now that i got the 2 parts on them (depending on if they are 2 good used IAC Valve and MAS.) like timing....

2) how in the hell do you take off the egr?  

Here is what to check...what is the fuel pressure, regulators are very common on these cars, next perform a block test to check for a head gasket (very common) also are you sure there are no vaccume leaks?  Next check to make sure the EGR valve is not hanging open.  Watch the scanner data looking at things such as ECT data, MAF data, Baro data, adaptive values, and so on

Nick
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1  
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1, ASE Certified Service Consultant, ASE Certified Parts Specialist, Chrysler Certified Service Manager/Technician