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Ford Tempo Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1993 Ford Tempo mileage: 143,000. The car stalls when you come to a stop while driving. It can be started right away and I can be on my way until I have to stop again. I can drive the car back and forth in the drive way and it will not stall when I stop it, only when I have been driving then come to a stop does this problem occur. Any hints?

Answer: Many things can cause the stalling you described. Have you had a tune up lately? You may have a sticking idle speed control motor, a faulty EGR valve, a faulty fuel pump, a lock-up converter in the transmission not unlocking (if automatic) to name the usual suspects.

Question: I have a 1994 Ford Tempo automatic transmission. I didn't have any trouble using our heater to defrost the frost or snow on the windshield. The rear defrost works perfectly find. It was only 3 or 4 mos. ago that I thought of testing the heater, you know, in preparation for the winter season. That's when I got worried! Here's what I usually do: I would set the temperature towards the red part. Then, turn-on the front defrost switch. Select the fan to medium speed. Then, guess what happens! Smoke comes out! This continued until now! Then it was only two (2) weeks ago I noticed green stuff dripping to the bottom of the driver's and passenger's seats (not a lot to be noticed). You could see it if you looked closely and with the light on. And finally, I went to an auto repair shop, and as soon as I said, "smoke coming out of vents" then said heating core. So, the started computing an estimate and they came up with $201.84 (includes parts and labor and anti-freeze). I looked around to see if I could get a cheaper estimate. Do you have another suggestion on why it's smoking through the vents when the defrost or heater is switched on or do you agree with these people? In addition, do you think the estimate is approximately, close to what is acceptable or could you give me an accurate and least costly estimate?

Answer: It appears as if the heater core is leaking again. As for the estimate, prices vary from area to area.

Question: 1993 Ford Tempo manual with air. My car is idling very high. I have had it checked by several people. They have checked the throttle linkage and it is free, the air filter and it is clean. I have changed the mass airflow sensor, they have checked for leaks in hoses. In fact, they put it on a small diagnostic machine and all it showed them was that the rpms were too high but the main computer board is working. Also, if you put a clamp on the hose under the throttle, the idle will fall back to normal. What else is there to check?

Answer: Check to see what the clamped off vacuum hose is attached to. If it goes to the power brake booster, you may have a faulty power brake booster.

Question: 1992 Ford Tempo mileage: 65,000. My daughter has a 1992 Ford Tempo that she has been driving for about 4 years. She is very conscientious in regularly changing oil, and routinely having it inspected by a mechanic. She bought the car used, with about 50,000 miles on it. Recently, she has had a situation where her antifreeze becomes brown - at times like mud. She has regularly, especially before winter, had the system completely flushed and new antifreeze added. However, at regular intervals, usually every oil change around 3,000 miles, it is again filthy brown. Our mechanic states that it is rust and corrosion from the inside of the radiator, but when I asked him if he advised replacing the radiator, he said he did not feel that would help or solve the problem. He feels the motor - block, valves, etc. are sources for "crud" that ultimately makes its way through the cooling system and creates the filth in the radiator. He suggested that the only way to completely eliminate the problem was to tear down the motor and clean up the source of the dirt and matter. This is not advisable based on the age of the car and the costs associated with doing this type of major cleaning. He also said that he has seen cars with similar dirty radiator coolants run and last for years - provided of course the radiator is periodically checked and back flushed with new antifreeze added. Any opinion on this recurring problem and the advise of my mechanic. My daughters many miles away at school and I am naturally concerned especially when she has a 3 hour plus drive home alone when she visits during the holidays and breaks.

Answer: Some engines cause the coolant to become brown and muddy like you described and some don't. We believe when Ford cast their block, they used an additive in the cast iron that reacts with the coolant to causes it appear brown and muddy. Although the color does not look good, as long as the radiator stays open and cools the engine properly, the coolant is doing its job. Coolant normally should be changed every two to three years.

Question:  1992 Ford Tempo.  I have had my car to three different mechanics in the last month.  No one can fix it.  It idles high.   It will get to 58 mph with out ever putting my foot on the gas pedal.  We have had the throttle sensor and the idle air control sensor changed.  The computer showed that the I.A.C.sensor was bad.  Please help.

Answer:   Try replacing the O� sensor as it may be failing.

Question:  1994 Ford Tempo  mileage: 77,000.   Dear Bob and Ken, our car was just running fine.  Then one day last week, it started having a rattling noise.  When the car is in idle it's loud, when we step on the brake, it's loud.  The only time the sound decreases a bit is when we put it in park.  Like when at a red light it's noisy so we put it in park and it's not so embarrassing.  My husband first thought that maybe it was the water pump or something.  Then someone said it might be the time belt/chain going out.  How can we tell for sure if it’s the timing chain?  We bought the car last year from used car lot.  Last March made one year we owned it.  We can't afford another car and we still have three more years loan on it.  Please help. My husband can replace a car part, but timing chain, that's a bit much for him.  Please answer back.   I appreciate it.  Thank you Geraldine

Answer:  Your car could have either a timing chain or a timing belt.  Ford in 1994 used both.  If the water pump bearing is starting to fail, that can be checked by loosening the belt on the water pump pulley and then check for up and down movement in the water pump pulley (loose bearing).

Question:  1992 Ford Tempo  mileage: 92,000.   I have removed all the oil pan bolts, starter and coolant line.  The dust shield however will not come free and this seems to be holding the rear end of the oil pan.   It looks like that if I removed the air conditioning line by unhooking it, that the oil pan would drop down enough to clear the dust shield.  I hate to unhook the AC line as it is R12 and is working fine, but I am not sure what is holding the dust shield.  I removed all the bolts that appear to holding this shield.  Does this shield bolt the entire way around the bell housing?  Let me know if you have any advice.  I am to the point that I may even cut the shield with a cut-off saw so that I can replace the oil pan gasket.  Thanks.

Answer:  Yes, the shield bolt is all the way around the bell housing.   Cutting off the shield will gain you access to replace the oil pan.  This is not the best idea but considering the design, this is the easiest way around your problem.

Question:  1993 Ford Tempo GL mileage: 89,124  Battery went dead this morning. Disconnected alt. but still draining juice from somewhere.  When you touch the battery terminals to the post, it sparks.   This just happened all the sudden.  Start car every day, and it has never had a problem

Answer:  Here is the procedure we use to isolate a battery drain.  Remove negative battery cable from the battery.  Using a 12-volt test light, hook one end to the negative battery post the other end to the negative battery cable you just disconnected.  The test light will glow or “light” if there is a drain.  If the “light or glow” is faint, that is probably normal draw for the clock or computer.  If the “light or glow” is bright, then there is a large drain.  That should be corrected.  Now start removing and replacing the fuses one by one until the light goes out; that one will be the circuit with the drain.  Remember to hold in the button in the door jam for the interior lights.

Question:  1994 Ford Tempo mileage: 130,000.  Dear B&K-Please help!  I've checked many of your FAQs first.  Engine is NOT the diesel; it has got a 1-barrel carburetor, New Distributor/EIM, new Starter, New Battery, new water pump.  Fuel Pump replaced couple of yrs ago.  Fuel filter/plugs are 3-4 yrs old.  I drive 7,000 mi/yr.  For last yr, I had maddening intermittent start problems: fine sometimes, then tough start or start/stall and wait hours, then ok start.  This wore out starter.  I just replaced it.   Now, 2 problems: A.I get a strong crank, but it gives me trouble starting (cold starts esp) - but, if I use a squirt of starter fluid, it starts up great.  Also, B. it now wants to (and does) stall at idle speeds, i.e., when slowing in traffic, to stop or turn, and may refuse to restart for a while, as if flooded.  Keeping foot on the gas avoids stalling, and it runs fine at speed.  Why?  Thanks.

Answer:  Check for vacuum leaks and proper operation of the choke.  There is a possibility that you may need a carburetor overhaul.

Question:  1992 Ford Tempo mileage: 150,000.   My Tempo is automatic, and when shifting into 1, 2, and 3 gears the car veers to the left almost uncontrollably; I have to hang onto the wheel.  Once at highway speed the car feels tight and seems to glide.  Does anyone no what is going on.  Thanks Dean

Answer:    Check your front suspension for something loose or worn that would allow one of the front wheels to shift in location causing your car to veer.

Question:  1993 Ford Tempo mileage: 112,000.  The low idle runs at about 2500 rpm, it is supposed to be 725 rpm.  According to my car manual, it cannot be adjusted.  After looking around and trying several different things, I tried replacing the Throttle control actuator.  I noticed when I removed the old one the plunger was all the way out after installing the new one my idle ran at normal speed until I restarted the car then the plunger was stuck in the full out position returning the idle to approx. 2500 rpm.  What can I look at next and what controls the Throttle control actuator?

Answer:  The throttle control actuator is controlled by the computer.   If one of the other engine sensors has malfunctioned or failed, the computer will automatically raise the idle speed.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question:  1987 Ford Tempo mileage: 125,000.  Having trouble starting; turns over but won't start, replaced ignition switch.  I’m getting gas to the filter; checked the rotor cap and replaced spark plugs; wires look okay.  It did start once the other morning with a jump but as soon as I took the cables off it died.   Any ideas?

Answer:    Check the ECC relay in the main power block; it is brown and black in color.  This could be the cause of your no start problem.

Question:  1994 Ford Tempo  mileage: 50,000.   Noted in past few days that my engine is over heating.  I have check radiator fluid and is ok.  Also, check thermostat and believe it is ok.  What else could be causing problem, could it be fan motor switch and if it is how can I check it?

Answer:  Checking the fan motor switch is a relatively easy test.  With the hood open, let the car idle and the radiator fan should cycle on and off as the car heats up if the switch is okay.

Question:  1993 Ford Tempo mileage: 113,000.  When I first start my Tempo in the morning it sounds like water running somewhere and I can smell anti-freeze.  I checked my anti-freeze level it is ok.

Answer:    The water running sound that you hear is probably caused by air in the cooling system.  As the air and coolant go through the heater core, it will make the sound you described.   The anti-freeze that you smell is probably from a leaky heater core.  You mentioned that you checked the anti-freeze level and it was okay.  Was this done in the radiator or in the over flow reservoir?  The radiator should be checked, ice cold and clear full of coolant.

Question:  1994 Ford Tempo  mileage: 125,000.   I am not sure of the type of engine in my car. I just purchased it because the van that I am still paying on will cost me approx. $2500 to fix ...anyway, the used car that I purchased (the Tempo) is now having a problem.   I was sitting at the drive thru window of a fast food restaurant when it started smoking and hissing from the engine, I got out and checked and it seemed to be coming from the radiator, it was antifreeze that was spraying out everywhere.  In the previous few days before this happened I noticed that the heat was taking a lot longer to get hot...please tell me this is something simple, for I have 3 children and not the means to fix something major.  I am thinking it is probably the thermostat, but I am a woman and blond, so I could be wrong...ha ha!   Thank you very much for your help!

Answer:    First off, check for coolant leaks.  If there are none, check to see that the radiator fan cycles on and off when the car is at normal operating temperature.

Question:  1992 Ford Tempo mileage: 137,620.  I recently had a control module put in my car.  I was having problems with losing pressure.  The diagnostic machine showed it was my control module that needed to be replaced.  I was informed my transmission was ok. Tonight upon returning home the speedometer drop to 40 when I was going 55 miles an hour, it would not go pass 40, then it drop to 35, but the speed was higher.  Finally it dropped to 25, 15 and 10 miles which at that time I did loose my speed.  I made it home by prayer but I will have to have it towed.  I checked my oil and I do have oil in the car.  Wouldn't the module have solved this problem, or could it be something else?  Would the diagnostic machine have pick up on any other problem?

Answer:   From what you have told us it appears you may have a faulty speedometer voltage generator.

Question:  1993 Ford Tempo mileage: 104,000. My car will slow down like it's coasting and you can press on the gas and nothing happens. Sometimes it will clang and quit while you drive. Other times you can hear it caught up and the engine will rev up if you press the gas. I have had it put on a machine one time and nothing showed. I'm afraid it will quit on the interstate. It does sometimes quit.

Answer: If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor and multi-rib belt. In addition, service the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages. If the problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question:  1994 Ford Tempo mileage: 68,000. When you apply pressure to the accelerator there is a hesitation, then jerks and then accelerates. I have replaced the spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor button and fuel filter. Any ideas?

Answer:  If the oxygen sensor has not been recently replaced, a new one should be installed. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If the problem still exists, scan the computer for trouble codes.

 

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