1989 ford festiva wont start.?

[Dom]

Hello, i have a 89 festiva efi auto trans 80,000 original miles that was running and suddenly died on me, It cranks and sound like it wants to start but just wont. I sprayed starter fluid sounds like it wants to start even more so than without but still does not. So far i check to see if fuel pump is working by disconnecting fuel line hose and starting the car and gas came out letting me know pump is working. Next i took i took some reading on coil and got 9.52 ohms on the secondary and 1 ohm on the primary don't know if thats good or bad ? I am still waiting on my in line spark plug tester to come in. i changed spark plugs and wires. i reset that the switch in the back next to speaker. I disconnected vaf connector and plugged it back still nothing can someone help please i don't want to go changing parts just because. What should i do next.?

Thanks

[Movin]

I think your ohms test is read wrong or is the problem.
Timing belt?? If that checks out do your spark test.

[avitsefdrof]

Mine did the same thing....look at the ignition control module....40 bucks or so on ebay....if not that....check the coil for an ohms reading. good luck
Mark

[Dom]

Thanks for the feedback , what are the ohms suppose to be?

[1990new]

Do you remember anything unusual happening since the time it last started?
How many miles on the engine?
Has the timing belt been changed recently?

VAF meter in addition to providing feedback for fuel injection control, detects air flow after engine starts and allows fuel pump to continue to operate after you release the key from the start position once the engine starts.
If there is a problem with the VAF (or it is unplugged), the engine starts but then dies in a few seconds because the fuel pump quits.

The most serious problem I can think of that could be causing it not to start...the key and slot in the crankshaft for the timing belt sprocket has become so worn that correct timing cannot be set or maintained by rotating the distributor. This is a known problem with the 1.3 engines manufactured before the snout size was increased. (Happened to me on my 1990).

Do you have a timing light?

You can check for a spark by removing the first plug, connect the wire back, hold the base of the plug with something insulated to a metal part of the engine while someone turns the starter over (careful not to be near any spilled fuel). This wont tell you if the timing is correct but you can see if you are getting a good spark.

Could be the ECM but from my experience, failure of these in the Festivas is rare (yet is the simplest to fix if it does.)

[WmWatt]

The ignition control module can be tested for free at some auto parts stores. Check around.

Testing for spark is pretty simple. Remove a spark plug, connect to ignition wire, and hold against steel part on car for ground, then turn engine over. Spark will show. If no spark could be ignition control module, coil, or distributor.

To see if timing belt is good remove distributor cap and turn engine over. Rotor on top should rotate, If not belt is broken. (Belt drives camshaft which turns distributor which rotates rotor.)

[Dom]

Hi, I checked the plug but I got no spark when testing , but I ordered a in-line spark plug tester and I am going to double check it when it comes in should be tomorrow but I think there is no spark . I bought the car running then when I went to pick it up it stop running it just cranks. It's a 1989 with 80,000 miles on it, I do not know if the timing belt has been changed on it

[Dom]

Is the ignition control module inside the distributer ? It's a 89'.

[FestYboy]

no, it's next to the coil on that bracket on the drivers strut tower. little square thing with a 3 wire plug.

[Dom]

IMG_2425.jpg

then what is this?

[FestYboy]

THAT, is the ICM for a Carburated dizzy, not EFI.

[1990new]

1989 ford festiva wont start.?

I thought all automatic 89's were efi

[Dom]

Does anyone have a pic of a ICM for a 89' fi . im a lil confused..

Thanks

[Dom]

Well i checked tonight and i do not have any spark . took plug out and check got nothing. any suggestions?

[FestYboy]

yes, you have a bad ICM... it looks like this: