Q: What is a "Harmonic Balancer" and what does it do?
A: What it is not is a musical instument........
What it is....... the pulley mounted on the end of your engine crankshaft....
It's a weighted thick metal piece that turns around and around with the engine, to counter balance the vibrations caused each time the gas and air mixtures explode when ignited by the spark plugs...... Ed
Q: The car has a history of "stopping" not running intermittently.
I noticed that the electric fuel pump would not operate, or I couldn't hear it. The motor would turn over, but would not start, then all of a sudden it would. I changed the fuel pump and thought that it would take care of the problem, however the thing wouldn't start the other day, then would not start yesterday. Once when it was hot, once when it was cold? Then later it would start and run fine?
I purchased a fuel "relay" switch but cannot find the location of the relay? I thought it would be under the hood? I looked in the trunk by the inertia switch, but didn't see it?
Any clues?
Thanks, Jim
A: Have a dealer install the part. They would definitely be able to find it, or at least tell you where it is.
Electrical / Lighting Systems Malfunction Happens always Always
Q: All of a suddden I have lost the powe to my automatic seatbelt and horn on the driver's side. I have checked each fuse under the dash. Is it a fuse problem, or is there a different place I shoudl be looking?
A: This is most likely two different problems, if you other seat belt is working check your wiring.
Q: My gas tank is leaking. It looks like there are several holes in it. I asked a mechanic what the problem could be and he said a sending unit.
I am going through a tank of gas in a week just driving about 10 miles a day total. How much would a sending unit be for the make of car I have?
A: The fuel tank sending unit is at the top and would only leak when the tank was full. Sounds like maybe a new tank is needed. Ed
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: I am looking for the color code for the radio in my vehicle. There are (2) two wiring harnesses, one for speakers and the other for the power and ground and such...
I need the order for the one for the power.
I need to know in what order the colors are in the harness 1989 mercury topaz...
I sure appreciate your help in any way preferrably a picture of the order but by word will help..
thanks Kenneth
A: If you look on the factory radio there's probably a sticker with a diagram or description of which wires in your car do what. If not, or if you don't have the factory radio, go to http://www.crutchfield.com/S-qNx1C7p8p0E/tech/kb31.html for step-by-step instructions on how to determine for yourself which wire is which. Very simple, give it a try.
-Elizabeth
Chassis / Suspension & Steering Smelling When starting Not applicable
Q: Car Smells like gas when started up or if I slow down to fast.
A: sounds as though the seal for the fuel pump is bad,but about the only way that happens is if the pump had been replace or had a recall done in that area
Electrical / Lighting Systems Other Happens always Not applicable
Q: Altanator is allways burning up the plug and it was tested and it is working good. I have tryed to fix it plenty of times myself with no luck. Any Ideas?
A: I believe ford has an updated wire kit for that alt,I have seen problems with that in the past. the updated kit has heavier wire and connectors
I start the car it idles great. I step on the gas when it reaches 2800 rpm it bogs down where you lose speed. If I shut it off for two minutes it`s fine for about 2 miles. And it does it again. It sits and I start it the next day then it bogs at 2700 rpm no power what so ever.
I haven't driven it i've been working on it and it sits overnight, then I start it the rpm which it bogs at is lower again I'm down to 1700 rpm. Now i`ve changed the whole cfi injection setup, intake manifold, gaskets, fuel pump regulator, sensors and all.
Different distributor, cap, rotor, wires, module, egr valve and sensor on egr. I checked the coil it was in the specs. Changed the fuel pump. Checked the timing 10 deg. Btdc with the short plug removed. I pulled the plugs they had a yellow tint and looked a little shiny.
Its got great compression in all cyls. Its a high mile motor mostly hiway miles 171, 000 its very clean inside the oil was changed frequently other than the bogging this motor runs great plenty of power up to the bogging point.
No misses or anything never stalls always starts. I have no idea what to do or try next.
A: Sounds to me like you might want to have the computer box checked.
Fuel System Won't Start Not applicable Not applicable
Q: The car had some occasional chugging problems for awhile. I shifted into fifth and it chugged really bad and stopped getting fuel. After resting for a couple days it fired up. Was fine in neutral. Took it down the road and shifted into third and the same thing happened. I noticed the PVC valve was loose from the seal and replaced both. Won't start. It sat a day and had a bit of fuel but didn't start. Then nothing. I can hear the fuel pump and am figuring it's probably the filter but can't find it. Do I need to drop the tank down? Thanks, Greg.
A: Fuel filter is on the passenger side inner fender (under the hood), I think. I say I think because I have worked on several lately but they were a bit newer, but I think even on your 85 thats were it should be
Ignition System Other Not applicable Not applicable
Q: The previous owner tweaked all the ignition wiring.
It has a universal key cylinder and I don't know what wires to attach to it, or where.
There is a wrapped wire set that goes to my distributor. One is black/orange, one is light blue, one is yellow, and one is bare. The bare wire is not attached to anything.
I just put a brand new coil in, but I am still not getting spark. Do you know where the bare wire goes?
A: In my experience... the bare wire leads to the cause of the fire.... it used to be coated but that melted....
If this wire looks like it is supposed to be bare... then you can assume it to be a ground... cause it is going to be wherever it touches anyway.... Ed
This way to the live technicians