Aspire problems

[stevewl1164]

Just got it last night. The mechanic who owned it said there was an idle issue...but did not tell me about any check engine light issue related to it. Also have no fan blower inside...posted in genral discussion...easy fixes? Also noticed idle goes up if I use fan speed two..I think my other Festivas did the same thing..even those with no air and carbs..am I remembering correctly?

[Nerd Racing]

I've owned two aspires with high/low aftermarket switches hooked up to the blower motor. I'd say its probably your resistor.

What year is your car?

Also come check out fordaspire.com. there are a lot of guys there that have many years experience with being elbows deep in eggs.

[stevewl1164]

It is a 97 five speed with air. Good news..45 miles and the gas guage hardly budged! Easy to drive and fun with the stick. I drove a 2010 Fit Sport five speed..awesome! It listed for $18000 so $1300 Aspire drives almost as well..but the ride is not as good. Surprisingly..the seat is very comfy! I hope both fixes are simple..the car is a joy to drive! Thanks for the tips.

[stevewl1164]

Oddly the inside blower fan worked this am. Still changes idle speed when selecting fan speed two.

[Nerd Racing]

is should change idle speed, should compensate for the higher current draw on the engine. Liking the vent heat yet?

[stevewl1164]

Oh, I already know..heat only from floor ducts! First Aspire...had a few Festivas! I like the gas mileage!

[stevewl1164]

Update...talked with the garage that sold me the car..they said the air conditioning compressor is apparantly going bad...makes a fluttering noise and they said the compressor clutch may be going. They said that is what may be causing the idle problem and check engine light. I told him $1300 was a deal i could live with with no problems and I did not want to spend any money on it. i said i would bring him back the title and lose my $80 at the DMV. He said to give him some time and to check with him on Friday. I think the pic showed up on my profile somehow!

[stevewl1164]

Today's news..the garage owner drove it and said the check engine light did not come on, the air and fan blower worked and no idle issues. Any ideas? One guy told me the throttle plate might need cleaning. A new idle control valve if needed is gulp..$450 to $750 for the PART! Hard to believe a 60K mile car would need that. Do you think something else might be misconnected since the head was replaced?

[Britstiva]

i said i would bring him back the title and lose my $80 at the DMV. He said to give him some time and to check with him on Friday.

What are you talking about here??? Were you going to just return the car to him and back out of the deal?

I agree with NerdRacing... the blower switch is something you can fix with an aftermarket part or heck, for that matter, just go to a salvage yard and pull the part.

Turning on the blower will make the idle rise a little on the car. So that is not a problem. But the engine light is a problem.

With it being a '97 model, you have to get that light problem fixed before you can tag the car or else it won't pass inspection.

If the ac compressor is going bad, it will make a "tick-tick-tick" noise. In my opinion, that should not cause an idling problem or trigger the check engine light.

When I first got my Laguna blue Aspire, the idling was bad and the car wouldn't hardly run. A mechanic had told the PO that it was an air flow sensor. He had already replaced the idle control valve. Turned out a tune up would have fixed the problem and was also the cheapest.

If the CEL comes on again, take it to autozone and have them give you the codes. I'm betting it'll be the oxygen sensor since the motor was rebuilt.

(Btw Steve, did you see the post in the general section about the SE I picked up recently?)

[stevewl1164]

Thanks Jeremy...not sure what I am going to do at this point. It is just my luck that it will be the worst possible problem if I keep it and the simplest fix if I get rid of it...give it back.

[stevewl1164]

Well, the car pictured is not mine...one just like it. The one on my main page is mine...the avatar did not change.

[Britstiva]

I just uploaded a pic from your photobucket acct to your other post.

[stevewl1164]

Thank you! I like how it turned out!