starting issues

[d_koschak]

i have a 91 festiva i was driving it the other day and stopped at the store shut the car off and when i came back out the car wouldnt start but would crank over nice but no start has a strong oder of gas so i figured it was spark issue so i checked the spark which seemed a little weak so i changed everything dizzy, cap, rotor, plugs, wires and still the same did a fuel pressure test on it and it came up with 40 psi, changed the coolant temp still the same, replaced the fusible links, checked the timing as well everything checks out good, then i bought new injectors thinking that there stuck open but still nothing and also changed the engine computer and of course nothing i cannot figure this car out, i havent checked the valve lash yet and not sure if u can on these, the car only has 111,000 on it let me know if anyone one has any other ideas cause im running out thanks
Dave

[mechanicaldj]

have you tried using starting fluid(ether) to start your car?

and when was the last time you replaced your timing belt?

[mechanicaldj]

and welcome to the board!

can you please add your location to your profile?

[d_koschak]

timing belt hasnt been done it still looks in mint condition and has jumped at all, and no i havent tried starting fluid, when we try and start it it floods out

[mechanicaldj]

did you check the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets?

[d_koschak]

yes the timing is right on

[mechanicaldj]

so your spark was blue and and arced over an inch?

if not , may want to check the resistance over the coil terninals

[d_koschak]

yes its blue and traveled over an inch

[mechanicaldj]

as to what the manual says :

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

The ignition system consists of an ignition coil, ignition module, distributor, spark plugs, and spark plug wires. Ignition spark timing correction is achieved by an ignition module, ECA, and crank shaft position sensor located in the distributor. The function of these components listed below is similar to transistorized systems used in other Ford Motor Company vehicles.

Ignition Coil: Transforms the battery voltage on its primary circuit into about 28K volts on its secondary circuit every time it receives an Ignition Diagnostic Monitor (IDM) signal from the ignition module.

Ignition Module: Receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from the ECA, and grounds the coil negative side to fire the spark plugs.


Distributor: Houses the crankshaft position sensor (CPS) and the rotor. The secondary voltage is received from the coil and distributed, via the rotor, to each spark plug wire.

Spark Plug Wires: Carry the secondary voltage from the distributor cap to each spark plug.

Spark Plugs: Receive the secondary voltage and ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder.



The distributor is mounted on the rear (flywheel end) of the engine cylinder head, and is direct-driven by the camshaft at one-half crankshaft speed. An off-center drive tang pinned to the distributor shaft engages with the camshaft in only one position. Rotation is counterclockwise as seen from vehicle left.



Ignition timing is controlled entirely by the ECA. Crankshaft position and engine rpm are sensed by the crankshaft position sensor (CPS). The ECA then signals the ignition module telling it when to fire the coil. The module controls the current through the ignition coil primary winding. The module turns the current on between firing points to build up a magnetic field around the coil windings. It then turns the current off on a signal from the pulse generator and pickup coil. Once the current is turned off, the field collapses and a high voltage pulse of over 20,000 volts is induced in the coil secondary winding. This pulse is transmitted to the central terminal in the distributor cap, and through the rotor to the distributor cap terminal for the spark plug whose turn it is to fire. At the plug electrodes, in the combustion chamber, the high voltage arcs to ground, to ignite the compressed air/fuel charge in the cylinder.

[d_koschak]

i have 2 distributors one is new one is old, i changed the coil, plugs, wires, cap and rotor, the new distributor is on the motor and yes i understand what the ignition system does

[mechanicaldj]

then start by checking the following:

Ignition Switch:

The ignition switch informs the ECA of the key position. This information is used in calculating fuel injection amounts.


Vane Air Temperature Sensor:

The vane air temperature (VAT) sensor is a thermistor. It is mounted inside the vane air flow meter and senses the intake air temperature. It sends information to the ECA which uses it to calculate the fuel injection amount.

Vane Air Flow Meter:

The vane air flow (VAF) meter detects the intake air quantity and converts the measurement to a voltage reading by means of a potentiometer. The voltage signal is sent to the ECA, which in turn determines injection quantities based on this signal, engine speed, etc. The voltage increases as the opening in the measuring plate increases, and decreases as the opening becomes smaller. The meter also incorporates a sensor to detect intake air temperature and a fuel pump switch to control the fuel pump.


Throttle Position Sensor:

The throttle position (TP) sensor consists of a lever attached coaxially to the throttle valve, a guide cam driven by the lever, and movable idle and power contacts. It detects idle and heavy load conditions based on the opening of the throttle valve. The sensor sends a signal to the ECA when the throttle is in the following positions:

IDL -- Throttle valve opening 1.5° or lower (idle or deceleration)

WOT -- Throttle valve opening 70° or more (heavy load condition).

[Switch]

I had the exact same problem with my '91 a couple of months ago. Sometimes the car would start, and other times it wouldn't. I suspected my ignition control module since sometimes I would have no spark and other times I had a weak spark. I picked up a used one from the u-pull it yard and the car has been running fine since (new ICM is around $100).

[d_koschak]

whats the icm

[mechanicaldj]

Ignition Module: Receives a spark output (SPOUT) signal from the ECA, and grounds the coil negative side to fire the spark plugs.

located next to the coil and has three wires to it:



upper right corner of assembly:

[d_koschak]

does anyone wanna sell me there that they know is good let me know