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  • EFI distributor tester

    ok, many folks over the years have had trouble with their beloved Festies not starting, or dying while driving. One of the possible failures is the distributor. I have devised a simple distributor tester.

    It consists of the following components:
    one 9V battery
    one 9V battery clip
    one LED, your choice of color. Just make sure it operates on 1.5 - 2.5 volts. 3.2v LEDS will be dim, unless you change the resistor value to 350 - 390 ohm.
    one 1/4 watt resistor, 470 ohm (for 1.5V - 2.5V LEDs)
    one distributor 3-wire connector from a junkyard Festiva.

    Follow the wiring diagram below.

    To test a distributor in the car;
    this method assumes you have checked to see the timing belt is not broken, and the distributor turns while the engine is cranking.
    Unplug the distributor connector from the distributor. Plug in the tester. Have an assistant crank the engine. Look for the LED to flash as the engine cranks. If it does flash, the distributor is good. No light or light solid = bad distributor.

    To test out of the car;
    connect tester to the distributor, turn distributor shaft by hand. Look for the LED to flash. Results same as "in car".
    Jim DeAngelis

    kittens give Morbo gas!!



    Bright Blue 93 GL (1.6 8v, 5spd) (Hula-Baloo)
    Performance Red 94 Aspire SE (Stimpson)

  • #2
    Thats Awsome!!

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    • #3
      Good sticky worthy info!
      Festiva: Because even my dog can build a Honda.
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

      '90 L. B8ME/Kia Rio 5 speed. Rio/Aspire suspension swap. :-D
      '81 Mustang. Inline 6, Automatic.
      '95 Eagle Summit Wagon. 4G64 Powered.

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      • #4
        Great stuff Jim! I hope you dont mind I saved the write up and diagram. If it ever comes up again and we cant find this thread or whatever. Ive got it for others.
        Search Master - Honorary Member of Midwest Festiva Inc., Gulf Coast Chapter

        Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
        - Unknown
        I don't like superstitious people. They're bad luck. - Serge A. Storms

        If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style.
        - Quentin Crisp

        God, please save me from your followers!
        - Bumper Sticker

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        • #5
          I just knew you were more than a pretty face on here, good job
          Thom-Lifes too short, don't blink
          93 Festiva (Little Red Truck)
          01 F-150 (Big Red Truck)

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          • #6
            genius |ˈjēnyəs|
            noun ( pl. geniuses )
            1. exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability : she was a teacher of genius | Jim has an amazing ability to diagnose Festiva problems.
            If it has boobs or wheels, sooner or later you're going to have trouble with it.
            Mark S.

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            • #7
              Sweet
              Joe Lutz

              The SKATE ..... 1992L 5spd
              The Greatest Purchase I Ever Made

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              • #8
                Great idea! Just one question...is the module either "good or bad" or can it be weak/intermittent? My '93 has a very slight repetitive surge to it under acceleration. First thought was a dirty fuel filter but the fuel system all checks out and I noticed an occasional rough idle and the tach needle sometimes wigs out. Wondering if the module is the problem. (Other thought is an HLA that is weak or TPS).
                Brian

                93L - 5SP, FMS springs, 323 alloys, 1st gen B6, ported head & intake, FMS cam, ported exhaust manifold w/2-1/4" head pipe.
                04 Mustang GT, 5SP, CAI, TFS plenum, 70mm TB, catted X, Pypes 304SS cat-back, Hurst Billet+ shifter, SCT/Bama tuned....4.10's & cams coming soon
                62 Galaxie 2D sedan project- 428, 3x2V, 4SP, 3.89TLOC

                1 wife, 2 kids, 9 dogs, 4 cats......
                Not enough time or money for any of them

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                • #9
                  Also, is this for EFI cars only as the title says? Or would this work for carb cars like my '88?
                  Thanks.
                  If it has boobs or wheels, sooner or later you're going to have trouble with it.
                  Mark S.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by deathegg View Post
                    Also, is this for EFI cars only as the title says? Or would this work for carb cars like my '88?
                    Thanks.
                    this is for EFI cars only, at this time. The module in the carb dizzy carries the full amperage of the coil, and will require a different test method for accurate results.
                    Jim DeAngelis

                    kittens give Morbo gas!!



                    Bright Blue 93 GL (1.6 8v, 5spd) (Hula-Baloo)
                    Performance Red 94 Aspire SE (Stimpson)

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      thanks!!

                      -"Hairlipstiva" 1991 GL 5spd (swapped from an auto), rolling on Enkei 14x6 +38 with 195/45/14 Toyo's, Jensen MP5720 CD deck, tach install, LED strip in cluster, down position rear wiper, FMS springs, Gabriel shocks on 4 corners, Acura Integra short shifter
                      -Escort GT 91 donor car with BP, G5M-R tranny to be dropped in the little guy...
                      -Aspire brake swap COMPLETE!
                      https://www.wunderground.com/persona...?ID=KOKOWASS38

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by blkfordsedan View Post
                        Great idea! Just one question...is the module either "good or bad" or can it be weak/intermittent? My '93 has a very slight repetitive surge to it under acceleration. First thought was a dirty fuel filter but the fuel system all checks out and I noticed an occasional rough idle and the tach needle sometimes wigs out. Wondering if the module is the problem. (Other thought is an HLA that is weak or TPS).
                        this is a "Go / No Go" test. Heat from operation can cause intermittent failures to be exposed, but the tester would have to be connected at the time of failure to detect it.
                        Jim DeAngelis

                        kittens give Morbo gas!!



                        Bright Blue 93 GL (1.6 8v, 5spd) (Hula-Baloo)
                        Performance Red 94 Aspire SE (Stimpson)

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by MONSOON View Post
                          Great stuff Jim! I hope you dont mind I saved the write up and diagram. If it ever comes up again and we cant find this thread or whatever. Ive got it for others.
                          no problem! Glad I could post something of value!
                          Jim DeAngelis

                          kittens give Morbo gas!!



                          Bright Blue 93 GL (1.6 8v, 5spd) (Hula-Baloo)
                          Performance Red 94 Aspire SE (Stimpson)

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                          • #14
                            It really is sweet !!!

                            I have seen it work in person !!

                            PM sent Jim ..
                            ------------------------------------------------
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                            • #15
                              I made one. It works. Great little tool. Thanks.

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