1989 ford festiva wont start.?

[FestYboy]

Sure, i use Accel. i'll pst pics of how i did it in a sec.

[FestYboy]

the adapter harness is from a headlight kit that i modified slightly

[Dom]

the adapter harness is from a headlight kit that i modified slightly

ok changed igntion coil and still wont start, keeps cranking ,,suggestions?

[Dom]

If ICM is good and the pick up coil is good and a new coil how come I still am not getting a spark what else could it be. ? I tried getting spark after new coil and nothing it just cranks but will not start. This is starting to get frustrating any ideas ,

[FestYboy]

well, the test light says everything up to the coil works. you now have a new coil in place, so lets look at the tower wire, cap and rotor for sign of failure.... that spark signal has to be getting cut out somewhere.

also, have you checked that you have fuel pressure and the cam timing is correct? is the inertia switch poped? if any of those are off, it will cause a no start condition.

and one last thing, how are you testing for spark?

[Dom]

well, the test light says everything up to the coil works. you now have a new coil in place, so lets look at the tower wire, cap and rotor for sign of failure.... that spark signal has to be getting cut out somewhere.

also, have you checked that you have fuel pressure and the cam timing is correct? is the inertia switch poped? if any of those are off, it will cause a no start condition.

and one last thing, how are you testing for spark?

Well the inertia switch I checked, the cap and rotor what would be the signs of bad condition? The cam timing would that be bad being that it ran not to long ago. And how do I check the tower wiring ? I took the spark plug out and grounded it meter frame and cranked engine and got nothing also forgot to mention previous owner said he had to playing around with the key sometimes and then it would start ( if that means anything ) and one last thing how would I check for fuel pressure as I mentioned before I took the clamp off hose and started the engine and fuel came shooting out

[FestYboy]

so.... we're chasing an itermitant issue with the ignition swtich!?!?! damn. i've been beating my head against a wall with this. i'll get back to you with some more tests...

[Dom]

Any suggestions I have been searching this site and others and can't seem to find what's going

[1990new]

When this problem does finally get solved, this thread needs to be summarized and condensed into a few paragraphs with an itemized list that explains the testing steps, with pictures, that finally led to the solution. Maybe a collaborative effort. It would be nice to be able to point future new and existing members to the "No Start Analysis" thread the next time the question is asked. (Or anyone know if such a thing already exist on the forum?)

[Dom]

Good point will do as soon as it gets fixed (Hopefully)

[Movin]

Funny how good ideas like that come every year or so, Artie did that if I remember right.

[Dom]

ok i verified that the ICM and the pick up coil are good. I checked my fuseable links there is 12v going to all three ,coil harness is good. I replace the ignition coil and the spark plugs,wires, dist. cap and rotor, still not starting just cranks.

[Huli]

Re: 1989 ford festiva wont start.?

Just to summarize.

You have both fuel and spark at the cylinder?

[Dom]

I have fuel , but still no spark

[Huli]

Re: 1989 ford festiva wont start.?

I have fuel , but still no spark

I had a problem like that before. Was my crank position sensor. I am not sure what the festiva uses to trip the spark. Have you checked that?