Festiva Fit

[cgoulding]

My Lil Runt (1990 fuel injected Standard 5 Speed) is throwing a tantrum and I can't figure it out.

Diagnosis;

Only starts 10% or less of the time.
Runs great once it starts.
Turns over and over and over and pops once in awhile like it's going to start just doesn't catch.
If it does catch at a low idle gas kills it immediatly.
If it catches and idles up and runs it runs great. You can cruise down the road at 65 no issues.


What I've done; (not all related to this issue but listed regardless FYI)

Recently new fuel pump
Recently new fuel filter
Recently new plugs, they look fine I pulled them.
New coolant temperature sensor
Recently changed out the fuel tank due to a leak but it was acting up prior to the tank change.

Going to try tonight;

Pull the battery and reset the computer.
Spray Starting Fluid in while turning over to see if it fires.

Any and all suggestions or questions to help me diagnose the Lill Bugger would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Cory

[Damkid]

Tryin the starter fluid would rule out a spark issue, so i would say thats a good starting point

[fuzztiva]

check your plug wires

[Flyin4stroke]

Sounds like a distributor issue, when mine went out on my truck it did the same thing. Died and put me on the side of the road and then didn't start then suddenly went and got another 5 miles or so and died again.. Sounds like the pickup may not be getting voltage inside the distributor.. Start with checking for spark

[fastivaca]

May be the ignition module inside the distrubutor. When these things fail they like to have fun first... running fine one minute, crappy the next, not at all for a while...

[Pu241]

Bad coil or ignitor is my bet.
Anyway to swap out for know good units?

[mikehth]

First time . A problem I had was like that, I chased it for weeks. The key on the crankshaft was broke . It threw the timing off every now and then, just enough to tick you off . It seemed like an electrical promlem ,then a fuel problem, replacing all electrics ,coils modules,etc.The key slot broke on the crank. Now I check the crank before doing to much to any festiva.

[perucho]

FWIW I had a similar problem with a 1990 Range Rover that wouldn't start but once it was running it would run fine. It turned out to be the mass air flow sensor.

[festivaWES]

I thought we were getting a honda fit/festiva hybrid discussion.....I'm bummed out!

I'd give my advice, but it seems like you have gotten plenty of it already. Most of it seems logical.

[cgoulding]

OK here's an update. Went home last night and jumped in and it started right up and ran fine.

Shut it off and restarted, not quite as easy but it started.

Shut it off and it didn't want to restart.

Pulled the air intake off and while turning it over shot starter fluid in and it started and you could keep it running with the fluid.

Also pulled the battery to give it a fresh computer if that makes any difference?

Would not restart without fluid being shot into the air intake.

Now I'm back to a fuel issue?

The really odd thing is there is no problem with how it runs once I get it started, I can drive it up the highway with no issues, runs great, doesn't cut out doesn't die just buzzes down the road at 65 like it should.

Could it be the pressure regulator on the Fuel Injection, what would the symptoms be if that failed?

[WmWatt]

Disconnecting and reconnecting battery should not effect starting. Computer doesn't take over until the O2 sensor heats up and starts working. Also does not sound like your car has problem when running cold, just starting. Does pumping gas pedal while starting help? If so look for fuel problem.
BTW before replacing ICM in a distributor get it tested for free at some auto parts stores. Pretty pricey to use trial-and-error diagnosis with those things.

[cgoulding]

Disconnecting and reconnecting battery should not effect starting. Computer doesn't take over until the O2 sensor heats up and starts working. Also does not sound like your car has problem when running cold, just starting. Does pumping gas pedal while starting help? If so look for fuel problem.
BTW before replacing ICM in a distributor get it tested for free at some auto parts stores. Pretty pricey to use trial-and-error diagnosis with those things.

Thanks for the advice, I have used the replace trial and error diagnosis and you are correct in that it's pricey.

As for pumping gas, that does not help and in fact it will kill the car if it does start at a rough low idle. I've tried pumping the crap out of it and turning it over. Pumping to beat the band while turning it over and it has no effect.

[25Horseplay]

The dist not only controls the spark but also has something to do with firing the injecters. I had almost the same trouble, I replaced the dist and is hasn't happend since.

[Festarossa]

I'm thinking that it's probably a deffective fuel pump. Can a fuel pump "partially" work? Can it work sometimes if it's defective? Is there any way you can test a fuel pump? Just a thought.. Keeps us updated cgoulding. -Steve.

[gottafesty]

When it's not starting, if you pull a spark plug you should have a wet plug that smells like gas if it's getting fuel. That would mean spark is bad. If it's dry then that would mean fuel.

That's my 2 cents. I hope it makes sense.