1989 Ford Festiva won't start

SDMACY

MEMBER
1989 FORD FESTIVA
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
129,000 MILES

I'm trying to figure out why it isn't getting any spark? It will turn over just fine. It had this problem about 9,000 miles ago. The guy who had it before me replaced almost all of the electrical parts until replacing the distributer and solved the problen. It was running fine until it would just die while running. If it sat for some time it would start and run fine agian until quitting again. It finally won't start anymore. Talking to the previous owner, it sounds like the same problem. I just don't want to drop another $200 on a distributer that's not even a year old.
Any ideas?

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

It finally won't start anymore.

Do below and tell me what's missing

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it