1989 Ford Festiva Problem

[poot]

I am looking at buying a 1989 FI festy with automatic transmission and no AC with 88,000 miles on it for 800 dollars. That being said, the owner says that while running it loses power and then regains it again. Does anyone on here have any suspicions about what it could be and the cost to fix them? Also does anyone think this is a decent deal?

[Levitan]

I know which ride you are talking about. Couple things to remember. Auto, lower gas mileage. Only '89 parts can be used on an 89 car. I'd recommend '90 or newer, but that's my take. That being said, I'd start with replacing fuseable links with the cartridges.

[poot]

Wouldn't the car have to be an L+ or an LX to have the FI option as well?

[GenevaDirt]

Wouldn't the car have to be an L+ or an LX to have the FI option as well?

nope...all the 89 autos are FI

[georgeb]

If you like your's rare it's a good deal. First year for ATX, first year for EFI. Some one-year only elec stuff. Kind of risky. Offer $500 due to crappy mileage and mech issue.

[zoe60]

I've got an '89 5 speed (carbed). It limits what you can easily do engine wise. I think an '89 auto would be even weirder. A '90 + would be better in a lot of ways. Just my .02. Plus, who wants an auto? Sorry, I guess some people like 'em.

[FestYboy]

I am looking at buying a 1989 FI festy with automatic transmission and no AC with 88,000 miles on it for 800 dollars. That being said, the owner says that while running it loses power and then regains it again. Does anyone on here have any suspicions about what it could be and the cost to fix them? Also does anyone think this is a decent deal?

lets focus on the dirveability issues: looses power and then it comes back. when does this happen? how does this happen? you could be looking as just a simple filter change, or you may have an ign advance issue via the vac diaphram in the dizzy (would require new dizzy).

[zoe60]

Good point Festyboy. Possible ignition control module too, could get it tested. Mine went south years ago and it was intermittent like that.

[WmWatt]

Actually, the '89's were carburetted but part way through the model year the fuel injected model with automatic transmission was introduced. I think they had to use FI to get the fuel rating up enough to have an automatic transmission and still meet the government fuel economy regulations. I bought my car new in April '89 and it's carburetted.

[DriverOne]

What about the 02 sensor?

[kartracer46]

Actually, the '89's were carburetted but part way through the model year the fuel injected model with automatic transmission was introduced. I think they had to use FI to get the fuel rating up enough to have an automatic transmission and still meet the government fuel economy regulations. I bought my car new in April '89 and it's carburetted.

NOOOOOOO! All 88-89 autos were FI, sticks were carburated. Please quote actual facts. It had nothing to do with EPA ratings at the time. I can attest that the 89 has a one year only disty, coil, fuel pump, ecu and injectors.

[BigElCat]

I am looking at buying a 1989 FI festy with automatic transmission and no AC with 88,000 miles on it for 800 dollars. That being said, the owner says that while running it loses power and then regains it again. Does anyone on here have any suspicions about what it could be and the cost to fix them? Also does anyone think this is a decent deal?

This could be a good deal! Look under the car and see how much rust it has and where. Look at the steel brake lines. Are they rusty and crusty? If not, you may have a viable Festiva.

You would want to get rid of the entire '89 FI and ECM. Maybe do a B6 engine swap. I'd trade you a 4 speed MTX for that vacuum advanced FI distributor. Have you worked on cars very much? Any experience with Festivas?

[scitzz]

Could be a Throttle position sensor problem, but that is a wild guess...

[WmWatt]

kartracer: "all 89 autos" = all 1989 automobiles