'91 Almost Starts, Then Quits

[Connie]

I've had this problem with my '91 Festy for several years, now it's getting more frequent. I turn the key and just as the car is about to start it kills. I can hear a fan or something running and if I turn the key again, the starter will grind. I have to turn the key off and try it again. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it takes a few tries. My husband heard it one morning and said it sounded like I was shutting the car off just as it was about to start. The last time I had a problem was in February, now it just happened twice in the last month. I put fuel conditioner in the tank and it started okay for a couple of weeks, then today I had to try a few times. I made an appointment at the repair shop, but it always starts when it's there. Any ideas? Thanks for any help you can provide!

[BEASTS'TIVA]

location

put your location, someone close to you will be willing to help you.

[GenevaDirt]

where are you located? If it is very cold where you are then it may be water/condensation in your fuel. You said it was better when you put the conditioner in.....where you are getting gas could have issues with water also.

[Connie]

I'm in Central Minnesota. It's cold now, and it was cold the last time I had a problem. My first guess was a fuel related issue, but our gas 5% to 11% ethanol so I wasn't sure about water or condensation. It happens so infrequently I wasn't 100% convinced that the fuel conditioner solved the problem -- it might be a coincidence.

[91blufestiva]

where at in Minnesota? what town? I'm from Paynesville, about 30 miles west from St. Cloud.

[Connie]

I'm in Sauk Rapids, so I guess I'm about 30 miles from you!

[David88]

Worn out ignition switch. Is your car an auto or manual trans? Much easier to find a switch for a manual than auto. If you have a large key chain or a lot of weight hanging on the key, try taking it off. See if that helps. Also look at your key. Is it a factory key or replacement? I have a replacement key and it was twisted. Actually it was really worn and weak too. With the cold weather my door locks get stiff and hard to turn. That can also twist your key.

I have the exact same problem with my '90 L plus. I has automatic trans. It was doing word for word what you described. If I wiggle the key just right it will just die and the fan comes on. Its in the switch. The contacts are worn. The problem I have is finding a good replacement as auto is different.

[batstiva]

I've had this problem with my '91 Festy for several years, now it's getting more frequent. I turn the key and just as the car is about to start it kills. I can hear a fan or something running and if I turn the key again, the starter will grind. I have to turn the key off and try it again. Sometimes it starts, sometimes it takes a few tries. My husband heard it one morning and said it sounded like I was shutting the car off just as it was about to start. The last time I had a problem was in February, now it just happened twice in the last month. I put fuel conditioner in the tank and it started okay for a couple of weeks, then today I had to try a few times. I made an appointment at the repair shop, but it always starts when it's there. Any ideas? Thanks for any help you can provide!

I could be reading more into this than you are meaning, but it sounds like the problem happens when it's cold out. Yes? It probably doesn't do it at the repair shop because they bring the car in where it's warm, or leave it in the shop overnight, so there's no cold problem. It sounds to me like you've got moisture in your fuel system, which freezes and stops the car from starting. By fuel conditioner, do you mean dry gas, or something like fuel injector cleaner? My suggestion would be to buy several bottles of dry gas/fuel line antifreeze, and dump a bottle in the next few times you get gas. If, on the other hand, it happens cold or warm, then just forget everything I said.

[Connie]

Do Festiva drivers think allike or what? I have a manual transmission. When this happened a couple of weeks ago I thought it was electrical because the engine didn't sputter or crank like a fuel problem. So I checked my key, which was a replacement, and it was twisted and worn. I took out a new replacement that was nice and sharp. I keep a factory spare tucked away so I can get good replacements made. The next day I added Sea Foam cleaner/de-icer to the fuel tank. I had one more starting problem, then it was starting fine for a couple of weeks. Yesterday and this morning I had to try a few times to start it. This morning I added more Sea Foam because I just filled the tank earlier this week. If it happens again, I'll try key wiggling first, then accelerator pumping!

[Mike McKown]

I have a Festiva that acts like yours. When I start it, I can't just let go of the key from "start" and let it return to "on". If I do, the engine will start and die. I have to turn the key back a little toward "on" once the engine starts and it will stay running.

When I bought this thing it wouldn't run because the fuel pump wouldn't run. I had a little trouble diagnosing the problem until I found out the ignition switch was a little balky.

[Connie]

Well, the repair shop had the car all day and couldn't find anything. They checked battery connections, the fuel pump pressure, injectors and filters -- everything looks good and it started every time. They were kind enough not to charge me, however, I went out to start it and had to try 3 times. I took it out on the hightway and got it warmed up. Then I stopped at the auto parts store & bought some Heet. Now it's idling in the driveway working the Heet through it's system. I did try jiggling the ignition when it's running and when it won't start -- doesn't seem to make a difference.