1989 ford festiva wont start.?

[Dom]

ok my question, on the ignition coil wire harness i still have a hot leg does that have anything to do with it starting the ignition if the ignition switch was bad. i think i just answered my own question it is getting the voltage from the battery isnt it?

[FestYboy]

the coil power is a switched source from the ignition switch, so if you have a constant 12v at the coil with the key on and a wiggle test doesn't change the result, i'd say your ignition switch is good, BUT, to verify this, here's an easy test: disconnect your starter solenoid lead to disable the starter. then, with a multimeter or test light, probe the hot leg of your coil harness and then actuate the ign switch to both the RUN and START positions. perform a wiggle test in both positions and carefuly watch your indicator (light or display).

alternately, you can do this: prep a length of wire with a 10A fuse. with the car set to run (all parts in their places), apply that fused wire to the positive side of the coil and then to the positive post of the battery. this will eliminate any potential failure of the ignition switch and any possible current restriction through the harness.

also, please verify that the rotor is in the proper position (it can be placed in 3 positions, though 2 of them will cause a no start).

[FestYboy]

watched the vid, that's not the horn, that's the "Hey Idiot!, you left the key in the Ignition!" warning buzzer. it's kinda normal, except the fact that it doesn't work all the time like it should.

[Dom]

Ok that one is ruled out, lol. I'm so frustrated tonmorow I'm off from work and I'm going to work on it if this doesn't work out I think it's gonna see a mechanic ( don't really wanna do it but I'm no mechanic) will see I think I'm just giving up, ( I hate losing but sometimes you gotta throw the towel in.

[1990new]

Thread from last December

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?46335-No-spark-distributor&highlight=cam+sensor

eHow Cam Sensor

http://www.ehow.com/about_5903731_camshaft-position-sensor-failure-symptoms.html

[Dom]

IMG_2487.jpg ok someone mentioned to be to see if the actual dist. is working by checking with a test light with the key on and see if i get lights on the three wire plugs coming from the disttubuter, i did and only got the test light to light on two of them the blue wire to the left did not light and suggestions.? ( also festyboy my rotor only seems to go on one way i checked it)

[Dom]

disregard that all three wire plugs coming from dist have power going to them when they key is on.also can someone tell me what this plug does, its yellow and red wire going to the engine block and is next to the oil filter?IMG_2502.jpg
IMG_2498.jpg

[FestYboy]

that's your oil pressure sensor... it runs your idiot light on the dash.

[Dom]

IMG_2505.jpgIMG_2506.jpg ok so today i established that nothing is coming from coil so from ignition to coil i am getting nothing what can this be?i tried both pictures that i posted

[FestYboy]

did you hard wire the coil yet? i gave you that test yesterday.

[Dom]

prep a length of wire with a 10A fuse. with the car set to run (all parts in their places), apply that fused wire to the positive side of the coil and then to the positive post of the battery. this will eliminate any potential failure of the ignition switch and any possible current restriction through the harness.( did not have any spare fuses will pick some up tomorrow). Tomorrow i will post the results..thanks again

[Dom]

i did as listed above with the fused wire to the coil and the battery and cranked the engine and still no spark....

[FestYboy]

ok, then the ICM test results are incorrect. if that coil is good, and the ICM test results are correct, you will have spark, end of discussion. so, given that, the test results are faulty. need to retest the ICM.

[Dom]

what is the best way to test it? still in the disturber or take it out?

[FestYboy]

well at this point, take it out and find the nearest AZ or AA and see if they can bench test it for you.... it's now a matter of finding the weak link...

what bothers me though is that you were able to get the test light to flash at you before (which lead to the "replace coil" statement).... it's frustrating for sure.