1998 Ford Escort ZX2 Idling Problem

First the running issue: One of two areas has an issue - the fuel that the engine is receiving, or more likely - the air that is coming into the engine. You may have an engine vacuum leak - check the PCV hose and any other hoses to make sure they are connected, and check the air box to make sure it is sealed correctly. Check the air tube to the intake to make sure it has no cracks. They can crack and allow unmetered air into the intake causing running and idle issues. You could have a vacuum leak at the intake manifold as well, less likely. Also less likely yet possible is a fuel pressure issue. The AC fan issue - typically the blower motor resistor is failed, causing one speed or no speed for your fan at all. The switch and blower motor can be at fault, but usually it is the resistor that fails, and possibly the wiring connector that melts. Good luck!

This I say to many on here, unless its your o2 sensor, but that would not explain the a/c issue, the following will: These cars have a problem with their ECM or PCM going out, its the computer under the dash, it controls everything from your a/c to your fuel pump. you can do it your self if this is the case for about $200.00 through http://www.autocomputerexchange.com/, I used them,but am not affiliated. or google it, they will even flash it for you this car requires the vin to be programed in, this would cost 800.00-900.00 at most dealerships/shops. Its because no one tells you to remove the negative terminal first on these and some cars like it, failure to do so often causes multiple shorts, blown fuses, leading to a damaged ECM. Notice those extra wires going into the little box on your negative battery terminal, if the positive touches ground before you remove these it backfeeds current. Electronic Control Module.