1994 Ford Tempo Quits When the Weather is Warm

KANNENFAHDER

MEMBER
1994 FORD TEMPO

Engine Mechanical problem
1994 Ford Tempo 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

The car runs fine in cool weather, when the temperature outside hits 70+, I can drive the vehicle for a few miles at most before it will quit. It shakes and sputters when it quits, like all the power is gone. The engine doesn't get hot when this happens, nor does the temperature gauge rise. The vehicle will start immediately after this happens, but do the same thing again. If the vehicle sits for several hours, I can then drive it a few miles before it acts up again.

3 Replies

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

How do the plugs look? White/light or black/dark? What does the temp read when this starts to happen. When was the last tuneup/ignition parts replacement?

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Thursday, June 11th, 2009 AT 11:06 PM

KANNENFAHDER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Firstly, I would like to thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I've tried talking to several mechanics in my area, and they either don't know what it could be, or just don't want to talk to me.

The temperature doesn't change in the slightest when this happens. As far as the plugs, they are very white.

As far as the last tune-up, I honestly couldn't say, I bought this from a friend of the family not long ago. Someone mentioned to me that it could be the coil pack, that's really all I have to go on, thus far. I was hoping that it would be something I could replace myself.

I've also noticed that when I drive, if I run the heater and the weather is warm, the vehicle makes it further than if the heater were off. This led me to believe that the car was heating up, but how can it be heating up if the engine isn't getting hot, and the temperature gauge isn't going up?

If it were something in the ignition or the plugs, wouldn't the car have the problem when I started it all the time, rather than only when I drove it and the weather was warm?

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Friday, June 12th, 2009 AT 11:30 AM

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

The very white plugs indicate a LEAN mixture. They should be a light/medium brown color. The most influential controllers of mixture are the MAP sensor, the oxygen sensor, the computer water temp sensor. Since it's a 94, there may be other sensors that effect the mixture. I dont have experience with anything later than 92. There may be a air temp sensor which could explain the outside air temp having an effect on how it runs. Correct fuel system pressure is also a factor. Check all vacuum hoses for integrity as any leaks can lean the mixture. The fact that using the heater prolongs the driving condition is a sure sign of a temp related issue? Either air or water or both. Actually, in cold weather the lean mixture shouldn't run at all? So it sounds like a water/air temp sensor problem. There are 2 water sensors, 1 for the puter and 1 for the gauge.

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Friday, June 12th, 2009 AT 1:51 PM