-20 degrees, festiva started then died and wont start

[lukeluke11]

hey guys,

it just happened tonight. i started my '90 festiva, ran it for about 10 seconds, then it just died and wont start up again...plenty of battery left, the starter is working, but it seems like there might not be any gas getting there at all because it isn't even coughing.

could there be ice blocking the fuel line? could the fuel filter be frozen? any other ideas of what it might be? Any help would be great.

I've got a propane heater aimed under the engine for now...

thanks for the help!

[Amos]

What's your coolant rated to?

[lukeluke11]

the coolant's rated to -35. i tried it again, and it still wont start...after having a propane heater under there for an hour.

[lukeluke11]

a little update:

We opened up the gas line downstream from the filter and pressed the gas pedal and it spurted out with plenty of pressure, so gas is getting to the injectors.

We tried push starting the car and still didn't even cough....i think there's no spark. there's power to the starter, but not to the spark plugs. what could have gone wrong in the 10 seconds that i had it running?

[TominMO]

We tried push starting the car and still didn't even cough....i think there's no spark. there's power to the starter, but not to the spark plugs. what could have gone wrong in the 10 seconds that i had it running?

Electronics would be my guess. Coil went out, or ignition module inside the disty.

[David88]

Electronics would be my guess. Coil went out, or ignition module inside the disty.

There could have been residual pressure in the fuel line. To tell if there is flow you would need to remove the line again put the end in a bottle and turn the key to run the fuel pump. Thats too cold!

[lukeluke11]

if it is the coil or the ignition module how do i check them?

[Justin]

if it is the coil or the ignition module how do i check them?

Service Manual & a Testing Gauge would be best

[WmWatt]

The ignition module can be removed and taken to some parts stores to be tested for free. If there is a Parts Source in your area they do it. Parts Source is owned by Canadian Tire.

I don't know of any part of the ignition systen which would fail due to -20 temp.

Since gasloline now contains 5% alchohol it's not likely freeze. The gas line antifreeze we used to add to the tank was essentially alcohol.

[WmWatt]

Oh yeah, be sure to plug in your block heater for at least an hour. It makes starting easier. Mine costs 5 cents per half hour to use and problably saves more than that in fuel.

[David88]

a little update:

We tried push starting the car and still didn't even cough....i think there's no spark. there's power to the starter, but not to the spark plugs. what could have gone wrong in the 10 seconds that i had it running?

The timing belt may have broke.

[lukeluke11]

how would i know if the timing belt broke?

[Papabug]

Remove the distributor cap and see if the rotor turns when you crank the engine.

[lukeluke11]

Alright - another update:

my brother and i used a test light to find out that there's power to the coil, but not going past it when i crank the starter. ie. no power to the distributor...i guess it's safe to assume that the coil is bad then?

i'm gonna go get a coil in the morning and see if that'll fix it unless someone tells me otherwise before then...i'm driving this festiva from here (edmonton) to ottawa as soon as i can get it running again - trying to get home to mama by christmas, so the rush to fix it is on!

[eurotiva]

Try taking a plug out and laying it on the head. Have your bro watch it while you turn it over. LOOK for SPARK. Coils rarely go bad I would say the icm (ignition control module) inside the distributor. My.02$