lights FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owner's Manual

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FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual Back To Article
GENERAL INFORMATION
Waveform s - Injector Pattern T utorial
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE
Learning how to interpret injector drive patterns from a Lab Scope c

Back To Article
GENERAL INFORMATION
Waveform s - Injector Pattern T utorial
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE
Learning how to interpret injector drive patterns from a Lab Scope can be like learning ignition patterns all over again. This article exists to
ease you into becoming a skilled injector pattern interpreter.
You will learn:
How a DVOM and noid light fall short of a lab scope.
The two types of injector driver circuits, voltage controlled & current controlled.
The two ways injector circuits can be wired, constant ground/switched power & constant power/switched ground.
The two different pattern types you can use to diagnose with, voltage & current.
All the valuable details injector patterns can reveal.
SCOPE OF THIS ARTICLE
This is NOT a manufacturer specific article. All different types of systems are covered here, regardless of the specific year/make/model/engine.
The reason for such broad coverage is because there are only a few basic ways to operate a solenoid-type injector. By understanding the
fundamental principles, you will understand all the major points of injector patterns you encounter. Of course there are minor differences in
each specific system, but that is where a waveform library helps out.
If this is confusing, consider a secondary ignition pattern. Even though there are many different implementations, each still has a primary
voltage turn-on, firing line, spark line, etc.
If specific waveforms are available in On Demand for the engine and vehicle you are working on, you will find them in the Engine Performance
section under the Engine Performance category.
IS A LAB SCOPE NECESSARY?
INTRODUCTION
You probably have several tools at your disposal to diagnose injector circuits. But you might have questioned "Is a lab scope necessary to do a
thorough job, or will a set of noid lights and a multifunction DVOM do just as well?"
In the following text, we are going to look at what noid lights and DVOMs do best, do not do very well, and when they can mislead you. As
you might suspect, the lab scope, with its ability to look inside an active circuit, comes to the rescue by answering for the deficiencies of these
other tools.
OVERVIEW OF NOID LIGHT
The noid light is an excellent "quick and dirty" tool. It can usually be hooked to a fuel injector harness fast and the flashing l igh t is e a sy t o
understand. It is a dependable way to identify a no-pulse situation.
However, a noid light can be very deceptive in two cases:
If the wrong one is used for the circuit being tested. Beware: Just because a connector on a noid light fits the harness does not mean it is
the right one.
If an injector driver is weak or a minor voltage drop is present.
Use the Right Noid Light
In the following text we will look at what can happen if the wrong noid light is used, why there are different types of noid lights (besides
differences with connectors), how to identify the types of noid lights, and how to know the right type to use.
First, let's discuss what can happen if the incorrect type of noid light is used. You might see:
A dimly flashing light when it should be normal.
A normal flashing light when it should be dim.
A noid light will flash dim if used on a lower voltage circuit than it was designed for. A normally operating circuit would appear
underpowered, which could be misinterpreted as the cause of a fuel starvation problem.
Here are the two circuit types that could cause this problem: NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
NOTE:This is GENERAL inform ation. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or
individual vehicle configuration. For m odel-specific inform ation see appropriate articles where
available.
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FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual Circuits with external injector resistors. Used predominately on some Asian & European systems, they are used to reduce the available
voltage to an injector in order to limit the current flow. Thi

Circuits with external injector resistors. Used predominately on some Asian & European systems, they are used to reduce the available
voltage to an injector in order to limit the current flow. This lower voltage can cause a dim flash on a noid light designed for full voltage.
Circuits with current controlled injector drivers (e.g. "Peak and Hold"). Basically, this type of driver allows a quick burst of
voltage/current to flow and then throttles it back significantly for the remainder of the pulse width duration. If a noid light was designed
for the other type of driver (voltage controlled, e.g. "Saturated"), it will appear dim because it is expecting full voltage/current to flow
for the entire duration of the pulse width.
Let's move to the other situation where a noid light flashes normally when it should be dim. This could occur if a more sensitive n o id l igh t is
used on a higher voltage/amperage circuit that was weakened enough to cause problems (but not outright broken). A circuit with an actual
problem would thus appear normal.
Let's look at why. A noid light does not come close to consuming as much amperage as an injector solenoid. If there is a partial driver failure
or a minor voltage drop in the injector circuit, there can be adequate amperage to fully operate the noid light BUT NOT ENOUGH TO
OPERATE THE INJECTOR.
If this is not clear, picture a battery with a lot of corrosion on the terminals. Say there is enough corrosion that the starter motor will not
operate; it only clicks. Now imagine turning on the headlights (with the ignition in the RUN position). You find they light normally and are
fully bright. This is the same idea as noid light: There is a problem, but enough amp flow exists to operate the headlights ("noid light"), but not
the starter motor ("injector").
How do you identify and avoid all these situations? By using the correct type of noid light. This requires that you understanding the types of
injector circuits that your noid lights are designed for. There are three. They are:
Systems with a voltage controlled injector driver. Another way to say it: The noid light is designed for a circuit with a "high" resistance
injector (generally 12 ohms or above).
Systems with a current controlled injector driver. Another way to say it: The noid light is designed for a circuit with a low resistance
injector (generally less than 12 ohms) without an external injector resistor.
Systems with a voltage controlled injector driver and an external injector resistor. Another way of saying it: The noid light is designed
for a circuit with a low resistance injector (generally less than 12 ohms) and an external injector resistor.
If you are not sure which type of circuit your noid light is designed for, plug it into a known good car and check out the results. If it flashes
normally during cranking, determine the circuit type by finding out injector resistance and if an external injector resistor is used. You now
know enough to identify the type of injector circuit. Label the noid light appropriately.
Next time you need to use a noid light for diagnosis, determine what type of injector circuit you are dealing with and select the appropriate
noid light.
Of course, if you suspect a no-pulse condition you could plug in any one whose connector fit without fear of misdiagnosis. This is because it is
unimportant if the flashing light is dim or bright. It is only important that it flashes.
In any cases of doubt regarding the use of a noid light, a lab scope will overcome all inherent weaknesses.
OVERVIEW OF DVOM
A DVOM is typically used to check injector resistance and available voltage at the injector. Some techs also use it check injector on-time
either with a built-in feature or by using the dwell/duty function.
There are situations where the DVOM performs these checks dependably, and other situations where it can deceive you. It is important to be
aware of these strengths and weaknesses. We will cover the topics above in the following text.
Checking Injector Resistance
If a short in an injector coil winding is constant, an ohmmeter will accurately identify the lower resistance. The same is true with an open
winding. Unfortunately, an intermittent short is an exception. A faulty injector with an intermittent short will show "good" if the ohmmeter
cannot force the short to occur during testing.
Alcohol in fuel typically causes an intermittent short, happening only when the injector coil is hot and loaded by a current high e n o u gh t o
jump the air gap between two bare windings or to break down any oxides that may have formed between them.
When you measure resistance with an ohmmeter, you are only applying a small current of a few milliamps. This is nowhere near enough to
load the coil sufficiently to detect most problems. As a result, most resistance checks identify intermittently shorted injectors as being normal.
There are two methods to get around this limitation. The first is to purchase an tool that checks injector coil windings under full load. The
Kent-Moore J-39021 is such a tool, though there are others. The Kent-Moore costs around $240 at the time of this writing and works on many
different manufacturer's systems.
The second method is to use a lab scope. Remember, a lab scope allows you to see the regular operation of a circuit in real time. If an injector
is having an short or intermittent short, the lab scope will show it.
Checking Available Voltage At the Injector
Verifying a fuel injector has the proper voltage to operate correctly is good diagnostic technique. Finding an open circuit on the feed circuit
like a broken wire or connector is an accurate check with a DVOM. Unfortunately, finding an intermittent or excessive resistance problem with
a DVOM is unreliable.
Let's explore this drawback. Remember that a voltage drop due to excessive resistance will only occur when a circuit is operating? Since the
injector circuit is only operating for a few milliseconds at a time, a DVOM will only see a potential fault for a few milliseconds. The remaining
90+% of the time the unloaded injector circuit will show normal battery voltage. NOTE:Som e noid lights can m eet both the second and third categories sim ultaneously.
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Page 369 of 454

FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual
Fig. 6: Identification Label Locations

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
SERVICE LABOR TIMES
WHEEL & TIRE SPECIFICATIONS
TIRE INFLATION
Tire inflation pressure is listed on a decal attached to right

Page 372 of 454

FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual
Fig. 7: Fuse Panel Identification

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Fuse Identification
1 - 15 Amp License Plate Light, Rear Side Marker Light, Front Parking Lights, Cluster and Tail Lights
2 -

Page 373 of 454

FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual
Fig. 8: Underhood Fusible Link Block Identification

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Fusible Link Identification
A - Brown (PTC) (1988-89 Carburetor) EFE Carburetor Heater
Brown (EGI) (1989-93

Page 374 of 454

FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual Back To Article
SERVICE INDICATOR & WARNING LIGHTS
1988-92 MAINT ENANCE Ford Motor Co. Service Indicator & Warning Lights
SERVICE INDICATOR & WARNING LIGHTS

Fig. 1: Identifying Dash Gauges & W ar

Back To Article
SERVICE INDICATOR & WARNING LIGHTS
1988-92 MAINT ENANCE Ford Motor Co. Service Indicator & Warning Lights
SERVICE INDICATOR & WARNING LIGHTS

Fig. 1: Identifying Dash Gauges & W arning Lights

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT
If functioning properly, the Check Engine warning light comes on when ignition switch is in the ON position and goes out after engine is
started. If light fails to glow with ignition on or remains on when engine is running, a malfunction exists in the electronic engine control
system. System needs to be checked and serviced.
CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT
Light comes on when ignition switch is in the ON or START position and goes out after engine is started and alternator is charged. Light may
also glow when there is a heavy electrical load on the system. If light remains on after reducing electrical load, check electrical system.
OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT
Light should come on briefly and go out after engine is started. If light remains on with engine running, oil pressure is low. Check oil level.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE
Gauge should register within the NORMAL band under regular operating conditions. If gauge rises into the HOT range, stop engine, allow it to
cool, and then check coolant level.
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT
The Brake light indicates one of 2 conditions: parking brake is engaged, or malfunction exists in the dual braking system. If functioning
properly, light should come on briefly with ignition switch in the ON position and then go out after engine is started and parking brake is
released. If light remains on, a malfunction is indicated. Service brake system.
Copyr ight 2009 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Article GUID: A00062872
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Page 414 of 454

FORD FESTIVA 1991 Owners Manual Differential Noise
ATF contaminated or level incorrect. Bearings worn or has excessive preload. Teeth on gears worn or damaged or has excessive backlash.
TESTING
PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH TEST
1. Ensure

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