Have a 1982 1300 Fiesta GL, early electronic ignition auto choke version, been fine for many years but now has an annoying fault. Car runs fine when properly warmed up but during the first 10 minutes or so from cold start frequently cuts out at traffic lights and junctions, or anytime revs drop down to tickover. Starts again straight away but at tickover speed, cuts out again. Once its properly warm its OK but tickover is a bit uneven. Checked air filter and inlet pipe, all seem ok. Battery seems OK and alternator seems to be charging fine using battery/alt test meters, although if it does not get used for 2 or more days the engine can be slow to turnover from cold, although oit will start reasonably readily.

Have changed spark plugs and auto choke seems fine, always starts first time. Any ideas of what I might need to check? Not a mechanic but a DIY old car enthuiast.

Get a feeder gauge and check the points. You'll find the settings in a manual or possibly on the internet. I'm no mechanic, but years ago I had a mini with the same symptoms and I carried out this simple procedure and - to my own astonishment - fixed it.

If you have a garage ,wait untill it's dark then fire the car up ,lift up the bonnet ,look around the distributer cap and spark plug lead area. If you can see sparks flickering around change the lot,may be the leads ,may be the dizzy.Good Luck .

Have a 1982 1300 Fiesta GL, early electronic ignition auto choke version, been fine for many years but now has an annoying fault. Car runs fine when properly warmed up but during the first 10 minutes or so from cold start frequently cuts out at traffic lights and junctions, or anytime revs drop down to tickover. Starts again straight away but at tickover speed, cuts out again. Once its properly warm its OK but tickover is a bit uneven. Checked air filter and inlet pipe, all seem ok. Battery seems OK and alternator seems to be charging fine using battery/alt test meters, although if it does not get used for 2 or more days the engine can be slow to turnover from cold, although oit will start reasonably readily.

Have changed spark plugs and auto choke seems fine, always starts first time. Any ideas of what I might need to check? Not a mechanic but a DIY old car enthuiast.

I think you may find your carburettor is a bit worn.... common fault on Fords and I bet it is around a J reg. best thing in the meantime is to take the air filter off and spray a load of easyjet down the port or similar carburettor cleaner.... you will need to put your finger down the port to open the "valve" should I say.... this will flick back on its own accord.... the choke will only recognise the temp. of the carburettor when it is functioning and when it is not then you have no choke and your carb is a no go.... sell it and get a Vauxhall corsa.... :hihi: ( He would say that.)

Sounds like your timing is out to me, simply needs tuning :thumbsup:

Sounds like your timing is out to me, simply needs tuning :thumbsup:

Electronic ignition mate. :thumbsup:

Had problems with the auto choke last year, it jammed closed as one of the spring clips on it was broken, and car would not start at all from cold. This was supposedly fixed by the garage I used but maybe should have it checked over again. The carb was thoroughly doused in cleaner and flushed out at the same time which cured the problem for a while.

HT leads are fine, swapped them for a different set, distributor cap seems OK as well. No points as its electronic ignition. I will take it for a full tune and see what happens.

Electronic ignition mate. :thumbsup:
So by having electronic ignition will this automatically re set your TDC ?..I think not as I said earlier timing needs sorting first then a full tune up :rolleyes:

Have a 1982 1300 Fiesta GL, early electronic ignition auto choke version, been fine for many years but now has an annoying fault. Car runs fine when properly warmed up but during the first 10 minutes or so from cold start frequently cuts out at traffic lights and junctions, or anytime revs drop down to tickover. Starts again straight away but at tickover speed, cuts out again. Once its properly warm its OK but tickover is a bit uneven. Checked air filter and inlet pipe, all seem ok. Battery seems OK and alternator seems to be charging fine using battery/alt test meters, although if it does not get used for 2 or more days the engine can be slow to turnover from cold, although oit will start reasonably readily.

Have changed spark plugs and auto choke seems fine, always starts first time. Any ideas of what I might need to check? Not a mechanic but a DIY old car enthuiast.

Similar situation to mine with my car... but mine is cutting out whether warmed up or not...

Please help (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=927169#post927169)

Do people ever actually read first posts?

Jake how can it be a J reg when it has already been initially stated it is age 1982.

Donkey it was stated in the first post it was electronic ignition so therefore no points.

Try giving it a tune and a service first, sounds like the auto choke maybe dodgy though.

Do people ever actually read first posts?

Jake how can it be a J reg when it has already been initially stated it is age 1982.

Donkey it was stated in the first post it was electronic ignition so therefore no points.

Try giving it a tune and a service first, sounds like the auto choke maybe dodgy though.

I was going to say that but thought it best not to be so outspoken as I usually get into trouble for speaking my mind on this forum!!!

Auto choke was repaired last year as it failed completely, so I hope that is not going wrong again. These early Ford auto chokes were a real pain, give me a manual one any day! T My trusty little baby Fiesta is doing a 1200 mile round trip next Month, Scotland, Cornwall and then over to Kent, so I guess a good tune is a sensible plan!!!

Fuel gauge has now jammed on empty.....ah, the joys of classic cars!!!!

how about getting a mobile krypton tune up done on it, perhaps this would point out where the fault could be