93 Festiva L bucks on the highway

[bobber]

I just bought a 93 Festiva L auto and I am having problems. To start with when I took it for a drive it stalled and wouldn't restart, It was really low on fuel so I put some in, still no start. Left it for a while and it restarted and ran for a while then stopped again but would restart. I thought it was the pump so I bought it. Pulled it home and changed the pump, strainer, fuel filter and plugs. Seems to run fine but every once in a while after driving for about 30 to 45 minutes it bucks and sometimes even stalls but starts right back up. Had a pressure Gage on it and it is fine at about 38psi at idle and goes up just over 40 when reved up. It almost seems you shut the key off so now I'm not sure it is fuel. Checked the cap and rotor and they seem OK, but did find a little oil in the cap. Has anyone seen a coil do this? Running out of options, please help.

[packrat427]

It sounds like you have the same problem I am having right now , mine will just like shut off while going down the road ,like you turn the key off , 3 seconds maybe then it just comes right back on .
It will jerk or buck now and then ,
I have a extra coil that I am going to try ,and see if that works , has you check engine light ever came on ??
I have checked all the plug connectors , it did not make a differance .

[Gforcefd]

Check your ignition switch for a short, there was a topic not to long ago about this in the help/repair forum.

[bobber]

In reply my check engine light only comes on when it stalls then goes out right after it starts running again.

[packrat427]

So it does just come back on while you are coasting , you don't need to pull over and restart it .

[bobber]

Yes, it just coughs and then keeps going, very weird seeing it is an auto.

[WmWatt]

Failing ignition control module? Can be tested for free at some auto parts stores.

[packrat427]

I am going to install the coil assy. this evening and see how that goes
I am also going to spray all the connectors again .
I am going to try the PB Blaster stuff on it , it says it is good for that ,and it will not evaporate

[festivaWES]

try your vaf or the IAC intake air controller, one or the other may be faulty.

[bobber]

:cry: Thought I had it fixed, I bought another car for parts and swapped out the coil and ignition module. Then I bought a new cap, rotor and wires. Everything seemed great until today. On the way home from work was just running great then all of a sudden it was like someone shut the key off. The darn thing wouldn't start for nothing. Had a pair of pliers with me so I pulled the fuel line and there was gas there. Then checked for spark off the coil and there was non. I still had the old coil and ignition module in the car so I swapped them out and still no fire. I then put it all back together and all of a sudden it started but soon stopped after I hit the gas. I let it sit for a few minutes then it started and ran, I drove all the way home, about 45 minutes and the little thing didn't miss a beat. This thing is driving me crazy.

[packrat427]

I know what you mean on the driving you crazy!!
Check this thread , It is on my car ,I have had the same problem on my car ,and I have chased it for almost 2 years ,off and on .
Jusr look thru there and see if anything pops out at you

http://fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7550

[bobber]

:lol: I took the distributor off my parts unit and it hasn't failed since. Ive been driving it for two weeks and last weekend I put on about 2000km without a fault. Must have been the pickup in the distributor. One thing I did find with the old one was that I had oil inside the cap coming from the shaft and I guess maybe that was enough to make it mess around when it is warmer out. Thanks everyone for all your help and good luck with your problems as well.