1988 Festiva dies on idle

Tiny
COREYRITTENHOUSE
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 FORD FESTIVA
  • 180,000 MILES
I have a 1988 Ford Festiva that sat for 5 years. It ran fine when I first started driving it, but quickly started developing an issue where it wants to die while idling. I opened up the carb and sprayed some carb cleaner in it, ran it at about 3000rpm for a few minutes, and it idled at between 1400 and 1900 rpm's just fine. 5 minutes later, same issue. Could there be an automatic choke or something that isn't operating properly? It seems as if it isn't getting enough gas. Thanks for any help!
Friday, July 22nd, 2011 AT 9:49 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You sure its a Carb instead of a throttle body injection? Let me know
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Friday, July 22nd, 2011 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
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Yeah, it's a 2bbl carb.
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Friday, July 22nd, 2011 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Check the fuel pressure and also inspect choke plate opening and pull off
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Friday, July 22nd, 2011 AT 10:44 PM
Tiny
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The butterfly in the carb isn't closing ever. Not sure how to fix that, but going to take a look today. Also going to change the fuel filter, as I'm sure it's time regardless.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
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Started it up, while controlling throttle by hand, pushed the butterfly a bit and it went right into high idle, which it hasn't done until now apparently. Idled for a minute or two, settled and died when trying to hit regular idle. Butterfly seems stuck. What controls it?
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+1
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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BEEN-A-MESSIN' WITH SCREWS?

IF SO, MAYBE WE CAN GET YOU TO A, "BETTER THAN YOU ARE", ADJUSTMENT

CHOKE CLOSED PROBABLY PUTS YOU IN A HIGHER IDLE, AS IT PULLS OFF (NORMALLY) IDLE SPEED IS DECREASED, FINALLY, WHEN COMPLETELY OFF, YOU SHOULD BE ON THE "IDLE CIRCUIT" ONLY

IN THIS CASE, THAT CIRCUIT, SEEMS TO BE WHAT AIN'T WORKIN' RIGHT

DO YOUR FILTER AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE NEGLECTED AS SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

LET US KNOW THE STORY COMPLETELY!

WAITIN' ON YOU!

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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A COUPLE OR 3 PICS, AROUND AND ABOVE YOUR CARB, WOULD BE HELPFUL

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
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HAHAHA! No, I just bought this car a few months ago as a fun little gas-saver before I get an early 60's Corvair. The previous owner had it sitting for a while and I bought it to fix. I've already replaced the master cylinder, drums, pads, rotors, wheel cylinders, plugs, wires, distributor cap, distributor rotor, new battery, new exhaust system, etc. I'm just at the point where, if I get this issue fixed I can get it inspected and legally enjoy my little party on wheels, if you will.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 8:25 PM
Tiny
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I like this "idle circuit" theory, but I have no idea where that is. Doing my research now. The butterfly on the carb still isn't moving on its own. I was hoping that would work itself out as I messed with it. It feels as if whatever controls it is stuck.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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DO THIS WORK YOURSELF ON THE REST OF THE CAR?

USUALLY YOU WILL SEE THE CHOKE IN THE CLOSED POSITION--NOT JUST FOR COLD WEATHER!

IF YOU'LL ACTUATE THE THROTTLE WHEN IT'S STONE COLD, IF IT'S ADJUSTED RIGHT, IT WILL CLOSE, OR PARTIALLY CLOSE--TILL THE ENGINE GETS WARMED UP

HAVE YOU FORCED THE MIXTURE SCREWS CLOSED. HONESTLY. HOPE NOT!

DO YOU SEE THEM?---PROBABLY 2 TOWARDS THE BOTTOM FRONT

IMMA OLD JEEP KINDA FELLER.I KNOW HOW CARBS WORK. JUST KNOW THE JEEPS REALLY WELL.I DO NOT KNOW YOURS.I WILL LOOK FOR INFO

TAG # ON CARB? WORDS? MORE PICS, DIFFERENT VIEWS. WHERE CARB TAKES UP 90% OF PIC

DO YOU HAVE TUNE-UP TOOLING. NORMAL STUFF?

GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS--I'LL SEE IF I CAN HELP

YOUR TURN

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
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New fuel filter on. It's only 101 degrees out in Austin today. Lol I've done all the work except the exhaust. First time working on a car. Kind of learning as I go. I haven't touched the mixture screws. The carb just stays open all the time unless I force it by hand, then (and only the)it goes into the high idle for a minute and then dies again. I'll pull the air filter and take more pics. Thank you both for your help so far. I'm really glad I found this site!
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 9:59 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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IS THIS PUPPY SHOWING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT?

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
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No check engine light.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
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Here are some pics.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 10:23 PM
Tiny
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Let me know if you need any different angles.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
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Name and better view from throttle side.
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Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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MISSION

ENLARGE, LOOK AT ALL VIEWS, COMPARE FULLY.....IS THIS YOU?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Autoline-Carburetor/1988-Ford-Festiva-Import/_/N-ihy5hZ8vd1l?counter=1&filterByKeyWord=CARBURETOR&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=53846_0_0_

BEGIN YOUR VACUUM LINE INSPECTION

AS YOU CHECK.....AS I CAN SEE, MARKING AS YOU GO, IS A GOOD PRACTICE!

CRACKS, BROKEN FITTINGS, ANYTHING NOT GOOD.......FIX!!!!!

I'LL LOOK FOR YOU A VACUUM DIAGRAM (NO PROMISES), TO INSURE ALL IS CORRECTLY ATTACHED/ ROUTED

NOTE ANYTHING THAT IS QUESTIONABLE

REMEMBER THIS IS BIG-TIME DIFFERENT FROM A JEEP, RIGHT NOW WE'RE DOING SOMETHING I CAN'T MESS UP, ONLY IMPROVE ON!

TUNING WILL COME SOON

GET TO IT!!!

WAITIN' ON YOU!

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 2:07 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
ANY DESTINATIONS-NUMBERS-VIN MAY HELP LATER

JUST DISCOVERED FESTIVA: "L"."L PLUS"."LX" MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN MY SEARCHING FOR STUFF!

I CHECKED ALL 3 MODELSTHE DIAGRAM NUMBER IS THE SAME ON ALL

DO YOU HAVE A CHILTON'S, HAYNES, OR OTHER REPAIR MANUAL FOR THIS BEAST?

IF YOU CANNOT READ THIS WELL, LET ME KNOW.I CAN GET IT TO YOU SAFELY, IF NEED-BE!

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 2:32 AM
Tiny
COREYRITTENHOUSE
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I've got the Haynes out now. Replacing some bushings on the shift control rod in the morning tomorrow and hopefully diagnosing this issue as well. Work this week, moving into a new house and then two months on the road might put this on hold until I get back after that.
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Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 4:16 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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WHENEVER YOU RETURN

JUST JUMP BACK ON THIS POST,

JUST LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN

JUST READ THRU THIS, AT LEAST, TOWARDS THE END OF THIS POST (IT'S LOOOONNNG!)...I'M NOT A REAL GOOD TEACHER (I RAMBLE!), BUT IT'S SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU MAY HAVE TO DO.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1980-jeep-cj7-timingtuning-problem-with-a

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, July 24th, 2011 AT 4:27 AM

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