shut off while driving

Asked by pra Nov 26, 2012 at 05:17 PM about the 1988 Ford Festiva LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

1988 ford festiva shut's off while driving, fuel filter was changed, both fuel pumps were checked and are working, new distrubter and wiring, coil was checked and found to be o.k., fuel tank was drained and new fuel was put in, a short was found in the fuel modulater switch on carb., when it short's out it cut's off fuel, carb. was replaced, still have same problem.. my mechanic has given up !! can someone help?

14 Answers

18,505

so it starts and runs but shuts off under load? how well does it crank? I would suspect a ground robbing the spark plugs power under load.. check the grounds, specifically the one on the passenger side strut tower. for each ground, remove the bolt, clean the contact surface, bolt and connector with a wire brush and wipe off with a cloth. I would then see how well it runs after each cleaning so you can figure out which one it is. If your grounds are not the problem, check out www.fordfestiva.com I have a 91, which is efi, and I had a weak ground, but it would run, drive and everything. Then it got weaker and my fuel would cutout and stall at speed.

4 people found this helpful.
20

I also have an 88 ford festiva, and I've had a similar problem especially when I'm driving at highway speeds and I'm slowing down. I'm missing part of my intake hose which causes too much air to get into the air cleaner assembly and causes the engine to stall. Usually once I've stopped, I can get the car started almost immediately.

2 people found this helpful.
18,505

which hose are you missing? I'm sure someone will ship you one, most likely free, on fordfestiva.com. I don't own a carby so idk if I have the hose you need.. but I might have the light loop around hose from the plastic intake to the valve cover (across from the big dumb air silencer). keep me posted if you need something or not.

1 people found this helpful.
275

Well, I hope you've got the issue resolved by now, and the only thing I might add is that, based on my own Festiva issues, there might well be a fuel / air mixture problem, which translates these days into a "computer" problem, which goes into a "diagnostic" machine for pinpointing the culprit BUT, not many shops have a machine that will accomodate a vehicle past about a 1996 model. Your problem also has some similarities to a Festiva experience I had a while back in which I also had to replace the Mass Air Flow Sensor. Could you please give an update to your post, with details of what it was and how you fixed it, if it has been fixed? Thank you very much! (Mass Air Flow Sensor $95. There are also fuel and oxygen sensors could be invlolved. If you haven't got it back on the road, while it still will start and RUN, you MUST find a shop with this diagnostic machine and get it checked out.)

2 people found this helpful.
30

question what would make fully charged battery drain after newalternator and tested have to turn off everything in car to keep power something draining battery while driving and yes stalling what not didn't seem to start until after replacing clutch

1 people found this helpful.
18,505

I would recommend looking into "how to test parasitic draw" or similar. You'll use a multimeter and maybe some other tools to figure out which circuit is giving you problems. Also, can you start a new question if you need additional help? This one is super old ;)

50

Question my ford fiesta 1.6 2005 model it cuts off while driving but restarts and idle revs smooth when it moves 10meters cuts...what can be the problem ? Bought new pump replaced but still does the same please HELP..

5 people found this helpful.
18,505

No check engine light? Codes? Could be fuel pump, o2 sensor, maf, electrical issue, or all sorts of other things. GL

1 people found this helpful.
18,505

google search that and see what you come up with, search vague-ish, GL

50

Nothing specific I can refer to this problem no answers as yet again will appreciate your assistance please.

18,505

I'm a layman.. OBDi is way simpler than new tech. That is interesting that it runs and drives with the ABS unplugged but will only run, not drive, while plugged in. I'm not finding anything.

50

It drives without ABS switch but now speedometer not working..does this mean ABS module or switch coursing the problem still puzzle?

10

I have a 2000 ford Festiva engine b301 1.3 auto I want to change to a manual. I have the full manual car here for the parts required. My question is do I need to change the computer and what other problems could come up thankyou.

1 people found this helpful.

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