1991 FORD FESTIVA ignition

Throttle Actuator Module
TAD
Thermactor Air Diverter
TBC
Body Control Module
TBI
Throttle Body Injection
TCC
Torque Converter Clutch
TDC
Top Dead Center
Temp.
Temperature
TFI
Thick Film Ignition
THERMAC
Thermostatic Air Cleaner
TPM
Tire Pressure Monitor
TPMS
Tire Pressure Monitor System
TPS
Throttle Position Sensor/Switch
TS
Temperature Sensor
TV
Thermovalve
TWC
Three-Way Catalyst
"V"
V
Valve
Vac.
Vacuum
VAF
Vane Airflow
VAPS
Variable Assist Power Steering
VCC
Viscous Converter Clutch
Page 14 of 15 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Commonly Used Abbreviations
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Back To Article
GENERAL INFORMATION
T rouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
ACCESSORIES & ELECTRICAL
CHARGING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC CHARGING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Vehicle Will Not Start
Dead batteryCheck battery cells, alternator
belt tension and alternator
output
Loose or corroded battery connectionsCheck all charging system
connections
Ignition circuit or switch malfunctionCheck and replace as necessary
Alternator Light Stays On With Engine Running
Loose or worn alternator drive beltCheck alternator drive tension
and condition, See Belt
Adjustment in TUNE-UP article
in the TUNE-UP section
Loose alternator wiring connectionsCheck all charging system
connections
Short in alternator light wiringSee Indicator Warning Lights in
STANDARD INSTRUMENTS
in the ACCESSORIES &
EQUIPMENT section
Defective alternator stator or diodesSee Bench Tests in
ALTERNATOR article
Defective regulatorSee Regulator Check in
ALTERNATOR article
Alternator Light Stays Off With Ignition Switch ON
Blown fuseSee WIRING DIAGRAMS
Defective alternatorSee Testing in ALTERNATOR
article
Defective indicator light bulb or socketSee Indicator Warning Lights in
STANDARD INSTRUMENTS
in the ACCESSORIES &
EQUIPMENT section
Alternator Light Stays OFF With Ignition Switch ON
Short in alternator wiringSee On-Vehicle Tests in
ALTERNATOR article
Defective rectifier bridgeSee Bench Tests in
ALTERNATOR article
Lights or Fuses Burn Out Frequently
Defective alternator wiringSee On-Vehicle Tests in
ALTERNATOR article
Defective regulatorSee Regulator Check in
ALTERNATOR article
Defective batteryCheck and replace as necessary
Ammeter Gauge Shows Discharge
Loose or worn drive beltCheck alternator drive belt
tension and condition. See Belt
Adjustment in TUNE-UP article
in the TUNE-UP section
Defective wiringCheck all wires and wire
Page 1 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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IGNITION SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING
connections
Defective alternator or regulatorSee Bench Tests and On-
Vehicle Tests in
ALTERNATOR article
Defective ammeter, or improper ammeter wiring connectionSee Testing in STANDARD
INSTRUMENTS in the
ACCESSORIES &
EQUIPMENT section
Noisy Alternator
Loose drive pulleyTighten drive pulley attaching
nut
Loose mounting boltsTighten all alternator mounting
bolts
Worn or dirty bearingsSee Bearing Replacement
ALTERNATOR article
Defective diodes or statorSee Bench Test in
ALTERNATOR article
Battery Does Stay Charged
Loose or worn drive beltCheck alternator drive belt
tension and condition. See Belt
Adjustment in appropriate
TUNE-UP article in the TUNE-
UP section
Loose or corroded battery connectionsCheck all charging system
connections
Loose alternator connectionsCheck all charging system
connections
Defective alternator or batterySee On-Vehicle Tests and
Bench Tests in ALTERNATOR
article
Add-on electrical accessories exceeding alternator capacityInstall larger alternator
Battery Overcharged-Uses Too Much Water
Defective batteryCheck alternator output and
repair as necessary
Defective alternatorSee On-Vehicle Test and Bench
Tests in ALTERNATOR article
Excessive alternator voltageCheck alternator output and
repair as necessary
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
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Fig. 1: Ignition Secondary Trouble Shooting Chart

Page 3 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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Fig. 2: Ignition Primary Trouble Shooting Chart

STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC STARTER TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Starter Fails to Operate
Dead battery or bad connections between starter and batteryCheck battery charge and all
wires and connections to
starter
Ignition switch faulty or misadjustedAdjust or replace ignition
switch
Open circuit between starter switch ignition terminal on starter relayCheck and repair wires and
connections as necessary
Starter relay or starter defectiveSee Testing in STARTER
article
Open solenoid pull-in wireTesting in STARTER article
Starter Does Not Operate and Headlights Dim
Weak battery or dead cellCharge or replace battery as
necessary
Loose or corroded battery connectionsCheck that battery connections
are clean and tight
Internal ground in starter windingsSee Testing in STARTER
article
Grounded starter fieldsSee Testing in STARTERS
Armature rubbing on poleSee STARTER article shoes
Starter Turns but Engine Does Not Rotate
Starter clutch slippingSee STARTER article
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Broken clutch housingSee STARTER article
Pinion shaft rusted or drySee STARTER article
Engine basic timing incorrectSee Ignition Timing in TUNE-
UP article
Broken teeth on engine flywheelReplace flywheel and check for
starter pinion gear damage
Starter Will Not Crank Engine
Faulty overrunning clutchSee STARTER article
Broken clutch housingSee STARTER article
Broken flywheel teethReplace flywheel and check for
starter pinion gear damage
Armature shaft sheared or reduction gear teeth strippedSee STARTER article
Weak batteryCharge or replace battery as
necessary
Faulty solenoidSee On-Vehicle Tests in
STARTER article
Poor groundsCheck all ground connections
for tight and clean connections
Ignition switch faulty or misadjustedAdjust or replace ignition
switch as necessary
Starter Cranks Engine Slowly
Battery weak or defectiveCharge or replace battery as
necessary
Engine overheatedSee ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM article
Engine oil too heavyCheck that proper viscosity oil
is used
Poor battery-to-starter connectionsCheck that all between battery
and starter are clean and tight
Current draw too low or too highSee Bench Tests in STARTER
article
Bent armature, loose pole shoes screws or worn bearingSee STARTER article
Burned solenoid contactsReplace solenoid
Faulty starterReplace starter
S t a r t e r E n ga ge s E n gin e On l y M o me n t a r il y
Engine timing too far advancedSee Ignition Timing in TUNE-
UP article
Overrunning clutch not engaging properlyReplace overrunning clutch.
See STARTER article
Broken starter clutchSee STARTER article
Broken teeth on engine flywheelReplace flywheel and check
starter pinion gear for damage
Weak drive assembly thrust springSee STARTER article
Weak hold-in coilSee Bench Tests in STARTER
article
Starter Drive Will Not Engage
Defective point assemblySee Testing in STARTER
article
Poor point assembly groundSee Testing in STARTER
article
Defective pull-in coilReplace starter solenoid
Starter Relay Does Not Close
Dead batteryCharge or replace battery as
necessary
Faulty wiringCheck all wiring and
connections leading to relay
Neutral safety switch faultyReplace neutral safety switch
Starter relay faultyReplace starter relay
Starter Drive Will Not Disengage
Starter motor loose on mountingsTighten starter attach bolts
Worn drive end bushingSee STARTER article
Damaged engine flywheel teethReplace flywheel and starter
pinion gear for damage
Drive yolk return spring broken or missingReplace return spring
Faulty ignition switchReplace ignition switch
Insufficient clearance between winding leads to solenoid terminal and main contact in solenoidReplace starter solenoid
Starter clutch not disengagingReplace starter clutch
Ignition starter switchReplace ignition switch
contacts sticking
Starter Relay Operates but Solenoid Does Not
Faulty solenoid switch, switch connections or relayCheck all wiring between relay
and solenoid or replace relay
or solenoid as necessary
Page 5 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING
BASIC GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART
Overheating
Coolant LeakFill/Pressure Test System
A/C Condenser Fins CloggedRemove/Clean Condenser
Radiator Fins CloggedRemove/Clean Radiator
Thermostat Stuck ClosedReplace Thermostat
C l o gge d C o o l in g S yst e m P a ssa ge sClean/Flush Cooling System
Water Pump MalfunctionReplace Water Pump
Fan Clutch MalfunctionReplace Fan Clutch
Retarded Ignition TimingReset Ignition Timing
Cooling Fan MalfunctionTest Cooling Fan/Circuit
Cooling Fan Motor MalfunctionTest Fan Motor
Cooling Fan Relay MalfunctionTest Fan Relay
Faulty Radiator CapReplace Radiator Cap
Broken/Slipping Fan BeltReplace Fan Belt
Restricted ExhaustRepair Exhaust System
Corrosion
Impurities In CoolantClean/Flush System
Coolant Leakage
Damaged hoseReplace Hose
Leaky Water PumpReplace Water Pump
Damaged Radiator SeamReplace/Repair Radiator
Leaky Thermostat CoverReplace Thermostat Cover
Cylinder Head ProblemCheck Head/Head Gasket
Leaky Freeze PlugsReplace Freeze Plugs
Recovery System Inoperative
Loose and/or Defective Radiator CapReplace Radiator Cap
Overflow Tube Clogged and/or LeakingRepair Tube
Recovery Bottle Vent RestrictedClean Vent
No Heater Core Flow
Collapsed Heater HoseReplace Heater Hose
Pl u gge d He a t e r C o r eClean/Replace Heater Core
Faulty Heater ValveReplace Heater Valve
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. T he purpose of this T rouble Shooting inform ation is to provide a list
of com m on causes to problem sym ptom s. For m odel-specific T rouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT ,
DIAGNOST IC, or T EST ING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing.
CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
Engine Lopes At Idle
In t ake man ifo l d -t o -h ead l eaksReplace manifold gasket, See
ENGINES
Blown head gasketReplace head gasket, See
ENGINES
Worn timing gears, chain or sprocketReplace gears, chain or
sprocket
Worn camshaft lobesReplace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Overheated engineCheck cooling system, See
COOLING
Blocked crankcase vent valveRemove restriction
Le a kin g E GR va l veRepair leak and/or replace
va l ve
Faulty fuel pumpReplace fuel pump
Engine Has Low Power
Leaking fuel pumpRepair leak and/or replace
fu el p u mp
Excessive piston-to-bore clearanceInstall larger pistons, See
ENGINES
Sticking valves or weak valve springsCheck valve train components,
See ENGINES
Incorrect valve timingReset valve timing, See
ENGINES
Worn camshaft lobesReplace camshaft, See
ENGINES
Blown head gasketReplace head gasket. See
ENGINES.
Clutch slippingAdjust pedal and/or replace
components, See ENGINES
Page 9 of 36 MITCHELL 1 ARTICLE - GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures
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Engine overheatingCheck cooling system, See
COOLING
Auto. Trans. pressure regulator valve faultyReplace pressure regulator
va l ve
Auto. Trans. fluid level too lowAdd fluid as necessary
Improper vacuum diverter valve operationReplace vacuum diverter valve
Vacuum leaksInspect vacuum system and
repair as required
Leaking piston ringsReplace piston rings, See
ENGINES
Faulty High Speed Operation
Low fuel pump volumeReplace fuel pump
Le a kin g va l ve s o r wo r nReplace valves and/or springs,
See ENGINES
Incorrect valve timingReset valve timing,See
ENGINES
In t ake man ifo l d rest rict edRemove restriction
Worn distributor shaftReplace distributor
Faulty Acceleration
Improper fuel pump strokeRemove pump and reset pump
stroke
Incorrect ignition timingReset ignition timing, See
TUNE-UP
Le a kin g va l ve sReplace valves, See ENGINES
Worn fuel pump diaphragm or pistonReplace diaphragm or piston
In t ake Backfire
Improper ignition timingReset ignition timing, See
TUNE-UP
Faulty accelerator pump dischargeReplace accelerator pump
Improper choke operationCheck choke and adjust as
required
Defective EGR valveReplace EGR valve
Fuel mixture too leanReset air/fuel mixture, See
TUNE-UP
Choke valve initial clearance too largeReset choke valve initial
clearance
Exhaust Backfire
Vacuum leakInspect and repair vacuum
system
Faulty vacuum diverter valveReplace vacuum diverter valve
Faulty choke operationCheck choke and adjust as
required
Exhaust system leakrepair exhaust system leak
Engine Detonation
Ignition timing too far advancedReset ignition timing, See
TUNE-UP
Faulty ignition systemCheck ignition timing, See
TUNE-UP
Spark plugs loose or faultyRetighten or replace plugs
Fuel delivery system cloggedInspect lines, pump and filter
fo r cl o g
EGR valve inoperativeReplace EGR valve
PCV system inoperativeInspect and/or replace hoses
or valve
Vacuum leaksCheck vacuum system and
repair leaks
Excessive combustion chamber depositsRemove built-up deposits
Leaking, sticking or broken valvesInspect and/or replace valves
External Oil Leakage
Fuel pump improperly seated or worn gasketRemove pump, replace gasket
and seat properly
Oil pan gasket broken or pan bentStraighten pan and replace
ga ske t
Timing chain cover gasket brokenReplace timing chain cover
ga ske t
Rear main oil seal wornReplace rear main oil seal
Oil pan drain plug not seated properlyRemove and reinstall drain
plug
Camshaft bearing drain hole blockedRemove restriction
Oil pressure sending switch leakingRemove and reinstall sending
switch
Excessive Oil Consumption
Worn valve stems or guidesReplace stems or guides, See
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