Timing belt broke or slipped some teeth.
If not:
Check fuel pressure
Look in the trunk area on the passenger side. It has a little panel to allow access to the fuel cutoff.
Does the car start? because if it doesn't... then your fuel cutoff has been tripped, likely by the car getting hit closer to the gas tank and tripping the cutoff valve. if it's anything like the cutoff in a '91 escort, you should be able to take off the small panel access in the trunk/hatch and reset the switch, if it's the same, it's pretty easy
behind passenger side kick panel
Usually on fords they are in either the drivers or passenger kick panel. there should be a hole or little panel to remove to access. Kick panels are next to your ankle when driving.
It is not advised. Connect the dark blue wire to the black wire.
It's pressed into the hub.
The hub has to be removed and the new bearing pressed in and the old bearing pressed out. This is not a job for the do it yourselfer.
You push the button on the top of it down to reset it.
why the hell are you driving a 79 ford escort?
To do that would compromise your safety, and of anyone else in the area, if you have a wreck. The purpose is to cutoff the fuel pump if you have a wreck, so fuel is not spewing out all over the pavement. On an Escort, it also locks the automatic seat belts down, if you have them, so you stay in the seat if the door flies open during a wreck.
Just an FYI that it was the timing belt.
i have a 94 2 door and mine starts with the lite on.....but the lite goes out after it is runnin