1989 ford festiva wont start.?

[denguy]

Please keep this thread going. My 91 5spd with 260k that has been running fine cranked but refused to start yesterday. Good thing it happened at home. It happened once before 2 yrs ago but somehow it cured itself.

[denguy]

Could the ignition module be intermintently bad?

[Dom]

I am probably going to change the distributer , now will the timing get messed up if I change out the dist. ?

[Dom]

Hey denguy maybe, because when I checked it the first time it was ok then tested bad when I tried it again, so I just went to a couple of place to have the ICM tested and nobody knows how to do it ( go figure) so most likely I am going to replace the whole distributer apparently for a 1989 festiva a reconditioned dist with the IcM and pickup coils everything intact is cheaper to buy then just buying a ICM. But I am no one to give advice I'm learning as I go on there are a lot of knowledgable people here to help.. Thanks

[Dom]

I am attempting to replace the distributer myself is this going to be a hard task ?has anyone (I'm sure) done this before if so can you tell me what I am getting myself into?

[Dom]

IMG_2526.jpgIMG_2527.jpg
Let me correct that there is volts on the ground when everything is connection into the ICM and pick up coil and when i disconnect icm and pick up there is no voltage at the ground harness wire. Also what i noticed is when i am checking for continuity i am getting it from the hot leg at the coil harness into black wire connected to the icm and also wire that is connected to ( in the pics )that connector screws on the distributer and connected to the connector with the lead in it(in the pic).continuity from there to the hot wire at the coil.is this all normal.?

[Dom]

anyone..????

[FestYboy]

then second wire is your condensor, it's there to keep EMI and spikes in the system down. what you're seeing is normal. what you should NOT be seeing is voltage at the yellow/green wire (ground control) especially if the coil is disconnected.

[Dom]

there is only voltage on the ground wire when it is connected to the ICM and when it is not connected to the ICM there is no voltage , Like you said there must be a short in the ICM. I think its time to place a order on a distrubuter.I am attempting to replace the distributer myself is this going to be a hard task ?has anyone (I'm sure) done this before if so can you tell me what I am getting myself into? and am i going to screw up the timing if i replace the distributer? Thanks

[FestYboy]

take a look at how it's clocked in the head and mark the head and match the new dizzy to the mark, you'll be good to go. it's gonna be rather difficult to screw it up. if the dixxy doesn't want to slip in with little effort, spin the rotor 180 and try again, that's the only way it'll be off.

[Dom]

thanks, the message i been waiting for. i just placed the order today and gonna be a couple of days . I still cant understand that buying a ICM alone alone is over $200 and buying a reconditioned distributer with everything in it is around $130 thats with me giving them back my old distributer.

[FestYboy]

i donno guy, make no sense to me either...

[Dom]

Ok update, i replaced the distributor and the car started right up so it is now running just want to thank everyone for the help. But there are now other issues i will post on a new thread.