Mercury Topaz

1994 Mercury Topaz All Part Groups   

Alternator light came on, short time later check engine light came on, and started getting hot. Then it stopped. After cooling off it turns over easy, but won't start. Cylinders and camshaft turn. Water is full, oil looks OK.

Is the accessories belt still intact? If you lose the belt the alternator will stop charging (light on) and the water pump won't turn causing the engine to overheat.

Is the check engine light coming on when you turn on the key (as it normally does)? If it is not you have lost power, start by checking battery cables and fuses.

You also need to check for spark to the spark plugs during engine cranking.

If you have spark, do you hear the fuel pump run during initial key on and during engine cranking?

It may be necessary to get a compression gauge and test cylinder compression. Autozone has a tool loaner program that should have a compression gauge. Call ahead. The compression test will let you know if the engine is capable of running mechanically. Let me know what you find.

The serpentine accesories belt is intact, seems to be tight. The check engine light is on when I turn the key, and the fuel pump turns on as well. The battery has a full charge and turns the engine easily.

Okay, now check for spark to the spark plugs. Let me know if have spark.

Copy and Paste the following link into your address bar. It will lead you to a repair guide for you vehicle. Should contain instructions for checking spark and compression among other things.

http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=viewRepairGuideYMMEYear

I am not able to check spark at the moment. How tight must the serpentine belt be? Could the idler to maintain tension be the problem?

If the battery is fully charged and the engine is cranking the serpentine belt is not the problem. If it had broken it could of led to the problems though. The serpentine belt will make a high pitch squeel if its not tight enough.

If you are inexperienced in checking spark, it is best and safest to do with a spark tester. Should be under ten dollars at your local autoparts store. Autozone may have them as part of their 'Tool Loaner Program'- call ahead.

Spark must be checked as the next step in diagnosis. If you have spark check compression.

Is it possible for a weak spark to cause the alternator light to come on, and then the check engine light to come on, and cuase the engine to become hot?

No, but you may have a no spark condition now causing the no start.

Don't overlook fuses and fusible links. Inspect for any burnt or damaged wiring.

What have you tried since our last correspondence?

I checked spark. It is OK. I changed the fuel filter. The old gas filter was OK. It sometimes fires but the timing seems to be off. The timing chain may have broken a gear tooth and jumped time.

Do a cylinder compression test. If the valve timing is off enough that the car won't run, it'll show up as low compression.

Let me know the results. If you cannot borrow a compression gauge from someone, Advance Auto or Autozone may have one available in their tool loaner program. Call ahead. I think Walmart sells them for a fairly low price.

1993 Mercury Topaz Fuel System Tuning When idling Always

engine idles 22-2400rpm slightest touch to throttle revs to 3000-3500 rpm tps center lead 2v at idle with smooth transition up to ~4.5v at full throttle maf replaced idle set at 10btdc with plug out

Remove the idle speed motor and temporarily plug it's passageway. Start engine. If engine idles okay now (or idle speed is so low that it barely runs), you can attempt cleaning the pintle on the idle speed motor and it's passageway. Use throttle body cleaner. Also clean the throttle body and the throttle blade.
It may be necessary to replace the idle speed motor if a thorough cleaning don't work.

If plugging the passageway shows very little or no improvement, look for a major vacuum leak. A thorough inspection of all vacuum lines is necessary. A well as the gasket at the throttle plate. Don't forget the large hose that goes to the brake booster (pinch this hose off with needle nose pliers to make sure the problem don't exist inside the brake booster).

i have checked all vac hoses. i even disconnected the two large ones from intake and capped intake. there are new gaskets (intake to head) installed before i bought car. how to i check that gasket for leakage and also plenum to intake (does not look new)

There are a few ways to check for vacuum leaks.
THe safest is to use a hose. Run one end of the hose along the gasket and listen to the other end. Listen for a hissing/sucking sound. This method don't work very well for me as my hearing is not great. If you use this method use caution around moving engine parts!
methods are to distribute propane or carb cleaner along the gasket. Do so slowly and listen for a change in the rpms. If you notice a change you have found a leak. As you know propane and carb cleaner are very flammable, so extreme caution must be exercised.
If you use these methods do so with a cold engine if possible. Also don't use a lot of propane at once. Allow the air to refresh itself between doses to prevent it from pooling up.

Did you check the idle speed motor?

1993 Mercury Topaz Chassis / Suspension & Steering   

Only has brakes on two wheels. .We have changed the master cylinder and a brake line. Bled the brakes and in proper sequence. The brakes are spongey.

Proportioning valve sticky (below master cylinder) try tapping in it. Try getting a pressure bleed. (cheap at a shop, usually $25-30)

THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A PROPORTIONING VALVE. I WONDER IF IT HAS BEEN REMOVED.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE ?

Usually a steel or brass looking block with 4 or more brake lines and the brake light switch.I will look at mine to get a better description.

I was told by a ford dealer that this car doesn't have that valve for the brakes.
I'm at my wits end.

New or rebuilt master cylinder?

New. We thought that there might be something wrong with the first one so we took it back and got another one.
The master cylinder was bench bled and installed. The brakes were then bled in proper order.
Ken

That really is strange.One of the cars I own is a Taurus wagon and I recently replaced the master cylinder.You might try disconnecting the lines at the master cylinder and the rear wheel cylinder and blow some compressed air through the rear lines.The bleeder screws are not obstructed?

I have checked all that you have suggested.

Did you give up ? ? ?

Ken Reed

Ken, if you have done all the things suggested, no one else can fix!The brakes are a simple hydraulic system. If the master cylinder and wheel cylinders are good, the lines are not damaged and the wheel cylinder bleeders are ok, there is not much else there!
You might want to get a free brake inspection (I believe Midas still does them for free)Good luck!

Thanks

Let me know what Midas says, its a weird one!

I talked to Midas this morning. They don't want to work on it. They seem to think I took things apart and threw parts away.
Nice folks. I won't be doing any business with them.
Thanks for all your help Bruce.

Ken

Ken...Thats unusual, and inappropriate behavior for a Midas to take (I used to be the head mechanic and asst mgr of one years ago) If you take it to another shop, do not mention that you worked on it. Then they cannot say that you threw stuff away?

Bruce, thanks for all your advice. I stopped by this Midas and now I know why he didn't want to work on this car.
I believe the lights are on, however, no one is home.
I am going to have my techs start from page one and do everything all over again. We simply must have missed something.
Thanks again Bruce.

Ken

1993 Mercury Topaz Fuel System   

Have a fuel relay part #Dy 864 and need to know where to find it on the car. Checked under the hood and battery holder, all on the driver's side - can not find duplicate part. One response was from the internet that it is on the steering column. Please tell where this part is located. Thank you, Mark

Looking at a schematic, from what I see is there is either a cluster of relays in one module or area. Fuel pump, PCM, , Cooling Fan control, And also A/C Clutch Relays. If you have A/C and it still works listen for the A/C relay clicking while you turn A/C on and off. should give you the general area of fuel pump relay. The colors of the wires for fuel pump relay should be yellow which is the main 12 volts from the Batt. Pink w/black strip goes to fuel pump. Drk Green wire goes to PCM for the ground side of the coil of relay. White wire comes from the Inertia Switch and feeds 12 volts to the coil of the relay. So you first need to find the relay, and also your Inertia switch, Inertia Switch just may need to be pushed to reset. Check for 12 volts at the Yellow, White, Pink W/Black strip. Hoped this helped! Joe's Garage

Thank you very much for your reply> Please tell me where the fuel pump relay is located.

Again thank you for your reply.

Mark

There is a Constant Control Relay Module (CCRM) mounted on the radiator support. Contained inside are the Fuel Pump,PCM Power, FC, FC Relay Control, and A/C Clutch Control relays.

The CCRM is replaced as a module assembly.

Roger

Another data sheet shows there to be a fuel pump relay located behind the glove box.

Roger

What is the status of this question please?

Roger

1992 Mercury Topaz All Part Groups   

Please tell me how to install a serpentine belt on a 2.3 engine. Show diagram of installation procedure

I will have to give you a link for the diagram. Diagrams are copyright protected and can not be tranferred witout permission. Autozone.com has the diagram. Go there and click Add a Vehicle. Once you have entered all information on your car select- REPAIR INFO- VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS- EXTERNAL ENGINES- and lastly BELT DIAGRAM.
Simply remove tension by releasing the belt tensioner for removal.
Note- if by chance the site does not have a diagram for a Merc Topaz, just use a Ford Tempo with the same engine size. The ford is the same and does have a diagram.
Good luck

1992 Mercury Topaz Ignition System Won't Start When starting Always

it was run in yadd and stop . now will not start. iputa moul;der on the destpier . it diden"t help.m can you help me. it turn overgod. no fire to the spart plug.it was low on oill went it stop/

Remove the coil and take it to a parts store (Autozone,NAPA, Parts America,etc) that will test it for free. Call ahead to make sure they will test for free.

By the way, do you have a 4 cylinder or a 6 cylinder engine?

4 cylinder

First things first, make sure the check engine light turns on when the key is first turned on (as it should) If not check fuses.

Make sure the distributor rotor turns when engine is turning over.
Inside the distributor is the pick up sensor (called PIP sensor). If the new module is good you'll want to concentrate here and on the ignition coil.
There are test procedures available for these parts. You'd need an electrical tester (DVOM) and basic electrical knowledge. Or you can call ahead to your local autoparts store and ask if they perform off car testing (which is free) of the coil, TFI module, etc. Let me know.

1992 Mercury Topaz Engine Malfunction When idling Always

Engine speeds up somewhat faster in RPM and then "diesels" for 2-3 seconds when the engine is turned off (via the ignition being turned off in the "Park" position. What is the failing part that is allowing the engine to "dieswel" even when turned off in the "ParK" or the "Drive" position???

If the idle is to high this can cause your problem. Check/clean the idle speed motor and its passageway.

1992 Mercury Topaz Electrical / Lighting Systems   

Hi, I have a problem with the horn. I know for a fact that the horn works properly. Now, I can't find where the relay is. Do you know where I can find the horn relay, so I can test it? Thanks. Harold

It should be located here-

Seating area, driver side, behind dash, driver side of steering column, mounted in relay block.

Let me know if you need a wiring diagram and I'll check to see if I have one.

Thanks, do you have the diagram or a picture so that way I know how the relay looks like? CHEERS Harold

Visit-

partsamerica.com

Enter your year, make, model, etc then select Replacement Parts. Once you select the horn relay and click on it a picture will show.

Let me know what you find or if you need more help.

1990 Mercury Topaz Engine Overheating Happens always When warm 

i need to replace the water pump pulley assembly...not the water pump pulley itself but the pulley right underneath of it. I cannot find the data to do that nor how to replace the belt that goes from that pulley to the waterpump to the crankshaft.
I went and subscribed to alldata and they did not have the info...guess i should have gone out and bought the chiltons for it...but am not near a book store....have been broken down now for a week.

its been very frustrating...an engine mount is in the way...and it looks like the drive belt has to come off to do it...which from what i understand is a pain in the butt.

any tips ideas on how i can get this done?

thanks

do you have any junk yards close? take a pencil and paper look at a junk topaz draw the pullys and how the belt rides on them.the pully underneath should be the belt tentioner should be able to take it right off.if you can't figer out the belt, go to a auto store they will have a diagram on the way the belt goes.good luck BIG JIM

i have the diagram ect. there are three of us here..we have all done considerable work on cars...and we just can't figure out how to get the belt on without having to remove the serprentine belt and prob the engine mount.
is it possible to replace the water pump belt without removing those?
thanks

Hello,

I've re-opened this question at the customer's request.

Mark,
Site Admin.

1989 Mercury Topaz Fuel System Won't Start When starting Always

where is the fuel pump located on my car?

Pysically located inside the fuel tank. To gain access you have to disconnect and drop the fuel tank. There is an access port on the top that opens counter clockwise, your pump is inside this opening. Need more let me know. Al

Hello, The fuel pump is an electric one and is located inside the fuel tank along with the fuel tank sending unit that provides tank fluid level to your gas gauge.

The fuel tank will need to be removed to change the fuel pump, the tank sending unit, or the fuel pick-up filter as needs are identified.

Roger

i have taken off the fuel line to the filter inputand cranked over the car, no fuel came out. could the electrial to the pump be out of whack?

Yes, there is a fuse and a relay for the fuel pump. There are fuse panels under the left side of the dash and under the hood, too. The fuel pump relay will be in the fuse/relay panel under the hood. The relay is controlled by the car's computer. A blown fuse often means the fuel pump is drawing too many amps to turn and is failing. A bad relay is simply a worn-out relay and not really an index for much else.

Roger

how expensive would it be to check the relay, or to replace the fuel pump? i've checked the fuses under the dash. where under the hood could they be located? thanks for your help.
morgan

I should think a relay panel under the hood should appear to be a rectangular black box with a removable cover near the battery.

Relays are inexpensive ($10 or less) and can be found at most any national chain auto parts store.

A fuel pump replacement gets expensive and a local shop in your area should quote you a price accordingly. I'm thinking around $300 for the total job, but I don't know labor rates where you are. Call around, it can be any reputable shop. Ask if they are ASE Certified technicians and the warranty they offer.

Roger

thank you for all your help.it turns out that the emergency fuel pump cut off switch(located in the trunk had been tripped.) once having reset the switch and checked that it was pumping gas, i was able to reassemble the car and get it running. i recomend that you suggest that this may be a problem for others who experience a problem such as mine.
once again thank you for your assistance.
sincerly yours,
morgan

Thank you for sharing. I sure don't know it all and my library just doesn't have a manual on every car and model. I hoped to guide you on the most frequent failures that I have come across in my 30yrs experience.

Good job Morgan! Are you willing to accept my help as an "answer" so that I may be paid? You sure don't have to. You may write to Mr. All-Parts.com, Administrator for All-Parts and request a refund if that is your desire.

Respectfully,

Roger

1989 Mercury Topaz Engine   

i just my car less than a year ago and since i've had it, it has caused many different problems and all have been fixed so far.. but this time when i got an inspection my left reverse light socket i found out is broken and since then my car hasn't been able to start and something is running the battery down. i was wondering if that socket could cause it. When i try to start it, it makes a clinking noise near the solenoid and the radio goes crazy. It makes a high pitch noise. When i did get it starting it would run about 1500rpms and when i would drive down the road and stop at a stop light i would have to keep the rpms up myself or else it would stall. Do you know what might be wrong with it??

Have you had the alternater checked? Is the tuneup up to date?

The people who had the car before me said that they already had the alternator replaced and i haven't had a full tune-up since i've had it but i don't know about the people before me

i have a new starter, alternator, solenoid, module. I've had the battery tested and they said that it was a good battery. I've checked the cables from the battery to the parts in the engine to see if there were any loose wires and they were connected securly. besides an electrical problem maybe i don't don't what is wrong with it do you have any more ideas??

Does the car start okay immediately after it has been driven a while? And, the starting problem only occurs after sitting for several hours (overnight)?

Start by checking the EGR valve to make sure it is not hanging open. Also check for any major vacuum leaks. Both of these are for the idling problem.

Let me know what you find and if the check engine light is on at anytime while the engine is running.

as of sunday my car hasn't started at all. something drained the battery over night. and i don't believe that it's a bad battery because i had just gotten it charged and checked on friday. when i first got the car it would take a couple of tries to get it started if it had been sitting for a while like overnight or when i was at school. sometimes we had to jump the solenoid. but right now i'm getting the battery charged and checked again. so then i'll see if it will start and then i'll check the EGR valve. my buddy and i tried to jump it and it tried really hard to get started but it never did.

Let me know what it does with a charged battery. Make sure the cables themselves are not bad, sometimes corrosion "bleeds down" and can be difficult to spot.

we charged the battery and it starts now and we waited til the next day and it still started so i have no idea what could have drained the battery. a little while ago i had replaced the positive cable for the battery and the negative doesn't really look like it needs to be replaced. i don't think that the EGR valve moves at all but i don't know exactly where and what i'm looking for. i know where the valve is located but i don't see anything move at 1000rpms or 3000rpms. there is a hose that connects from the bottom of the air filter to somewhere in the engine. i can't trace it because i can't really see that far into it but that hose is not connected at all but i don't know if that would cause it to stall alot. someone said something about using a hand vacuum pump to test the EGR valve but would there be an easier way to see?? Would that socket for the reverse light drain the battery if it is bad??

You can use a vacuum pump on the EGR valve when the engine is idling (needs to be running okay) to see if the engine stalls (or runs real rough) when vacuum is applied. The vacuum opens the EGR valve.

If the egr valve is already open this test will not be very helpful.

Temporarily plug off the egr valve passage to test. If idle improves dramitacally the egr valve is stuck partially open (debri, carbon).

Remove the reverse light fuse at night. If the problem still occurs it must be elsewhere.

1989 Mercury Topaz Ignition System   

when i turn the key to start the motor i get a clicking sound and the engine does not start

If you mean not cranking at all you will have a dead weak battery or connection with the cables.
Have you beem able to get it to jump start with another car connected to it?
First check all of your battery connections
at the batttery point.
You can then try pouring some coka cola on all of the connections and see if the corrosion is a problem.
Take a voltage reading of the battery to see where it is voltage wise.

First, test the battery.Most shops have the equipment to do a simple test of the battery, alternator and starter.
If the headlights are dim, or the battery is more than 5 years old (they have a date sticker on them), I would suspect the battery, especilly if you can start it with jumper cables, from another car.

Hi Bruce,

I'll check the battery though the lights horn etc work fine. The battery is about 5 years old. There are rapid clicks when i turn the key. This happened the first time 2 weeks ago and everything has been fine until today.

do i just get 1 question?? I sent a reply at 9:45. Also could it be the solenoid?

it's not the battery. Everything electrical works fine.

Please respond. The rapid clicking happened twice todat. The car evebtually started each time after trying for about 1/2 hour each time.

Hi, There is a strong chance the starter solenoid is the problem.

If when the engine is running you can stop by an auto parts store or a Wal-Mart auto center have the battery and alternator tested for performance/condition.

Or, if you have confidence that battery and alternator are all right replace the starter and solenoid.

The other technicians and I are in agreement that the most frequent cause of a rapid clicking sound coming from a starter is poor battery power or corroded cable connections.

A starter needs alot of amps to work. (up to 175 amps) Consider how the fuses in your cars fuse box are rated at far fewer than 175 amps. Many are just 30 amps or less. It is not unusual for many systems to work fine because the battery can supply a lower amp demand. But when the starter needs up to 175 amps the battery may not deliver what is needed. Make sense?

All said, if the battery provides the amps but the starter won't work due to internal problems of the solenoid a rapid clicking sound can result. Keep trying and finally it just might somehow make good enough contact to work.....replace the starter and solenoid.

Roger

Hi Roger,

Thank you very much. It certainly makes sense to me. I'll do all you suggested tomorrow morning. mI haven't had anyone jump start the car yet because it started eventually. If when I jump it it starts is that another clue the battery needs to be replaced. I think it's about six years old.

Yes, it makes me think the battery is weak. Remember, the cable connections must be free of corrosion and tight or resistance to the flow of amps will be impaired. Bad connections on a new battery have the same consequences.

Roger

1985 Mercury Topaz Ignition System   

when turning it over i am not getting any spark going to the plugs is this simply the coil being gone? the car was running fine parked it and then wouldnt turn over,stuck a screwdriver into the sparkplug boot and no spark,thanks for any help

The first thing you need to do is confirm the distributor rotor turns while cranking the engine over. To do this remove the distributor cap and turn the engine over slightly while observing the rotor to see if it moves. Use extreme caution around moving engine parts and make sure the vehicle is in park or neutral WITH the parking brake applied.

If the rotor does not turn the timing belt is (likely) broken. If it does turn let me know.

sorry about the wait...i went ahead and chaged the ignition coil and still no spark and the distributor rotor is turning as well so im stumped..help?

Check to see if there is Key ON positive voltage to the coil. One end of test light to a known good ground, the other the coild coil positive terminal. Let me know and we'll continue.