Won't start with key.

[Lonzo607]

I'm really stumped on this one. My 89 Festiva has been a great car till two days ago. It's a fuel injected model. The problem is when I try to start it with the key it turns over great but won't start. If I push start it it will fire right up and run like a dream. I've changed the plugs, plug wires, dist. cap, and rotary button. It did good for one day and now it's back to the same old problem. Any ideas?

[warlocke]

maybe ur coil, or check ur rotor button and make sure it didnt move somehow, ive known this to happen on a few other vehicles, also check ur timing, the belt could have jumped a toot or 2. just some ideas

[mattswabb]

Ok, is it a stick or auto. I'm assuming stick since you push start it. So you put the key in the run position and push start it and it fires? But when you use the key it doesn't start but does turn over? Is this correct?

I might suspect an ignition switch problem. The switch is disconnecting power to something that is needed. One of the coil wires should be hot when the car is in the run position. I assume it is hot since it will run. See if there is still power to it while cranking the engine.

[Lonzo607]

Won't start with key

When it won't start both coil terminals positive and negative read twelve volts. This isn't right is it? Is the coil bad?

[warlocke]

possible or you have a bad short i dont think that its susposed to be showing voltage at both ends so somthin prolly shorted inside the coil, but im not 100% on the opperation of a coil either

[roycehof]

Before you do anything else, get a buddy to come and crank the car while you check the 12 volt side of the coil. Some cars have a Ballast resistor which supplies voltage to the coil in the "run" condition and is by-passed in the "start (crank)" position. If you can't get a buddy, just install a jumper wire from the 12v positive terminal on the battery to the positive terminal on the coil (be careful here - don't hook the 12 volts to the wrong side of the coil because it could damage the electrons used in the distributor) and see if it starts. You'll have to remove the wire afterward or it will keep running with the key out.
If the scenario above exists, you need to start checking wires. This is a notorious problem with "fusible links". Matter of fact check those before you do anything else. There are three of them near the battery. I blew one once when my oil filter hit the alternator stud (drop the filter). If I remember right the car did nothing then (not even crank). Also check the fuses in the dash although I doubt if they would be involved (but why not eliminate it - it's easy).
Please reply back on what you find.
Anybody reading this with an electrical wiring diagram for a Festiva? Please, look and see if there is a fusible link in the circuit for activating the solenoid on the starter.

[Tom]

The whole ignition system is good or it wouldn't run great after you start it.

Your ignition switch might be bad, turns it over but no fire to the system.

[roycehof]

Previous post is correct - I check on my car and there doesn't appear to be anything that would prevent the spark from being there when it is being cranked over. Only thing left is a mal-function in the ignition (Key) switch.