1990 Ford Tempo Service and Repair Manual
This factory service and repair manual for the 1990 Ford Tempo covers seven trims, GL, GLS, L, L AWD, LX, LX AWD and Sport, on the four-door sedan and the two-door sedan, all with the naturally aspirated 2.3L OHV inline-four gasoline engine. With two of the seven trims carrying AWD, the driveline coverage is broader than the single engine suggests, and the procedures, specifications, torque values, wiring diagrams and diagnostics separate the AWD cars from the others wherever the extra hardware changes a step or a figure.
Engines covered
- 2.3L inline-four (140 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
- 2-door sedan
Trims covered
- GL
- GLS
- L
- L AWD
- LX
- LX AWD
- Sport
Known issues on the 1990 Tempo. The federal record holds two recalls. Air bag inflators may have had their threaded components damaged during assembly, so the parts can separate when the inflator fires and hot combustion gas can escape into the passenger compartment; and the ignition switch can short internally and overheat, smoke or burn in the steering column area. Owners have brought 167 complaints to NHTSA, the electrical system well ahead of seat belts and the service brakes. The manual's wiring diagrams for the air bag and ignition circuits, its seat belt procedures and its brake specifications cover the systems in that record.
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES FOR TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. *TT
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT
SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
EXPERIENCING A WHINE / BUZZ TYPE NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO ON VEHICLES WITH AN IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. *TT
Showing the 8 most recent of 41 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
FRONT SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURIES.
INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL AND REAR IMPACT. AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE FRONT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT SEATBACKS GAVE OUT(COLLAPSED) AND WENT BACK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND
Showing the 2 most serious of 167 complaints filed with NHTSA.
