1989 Bronco Won't start

[Eric W]

I have an 89 Bronco that I just bought not too long ago. It is an automatic and its a 5.8 Windsor motor if that info matters. And everything was working when when it just didn't want to start. When I try and start it, it will do nothing no click, nothing. Cleaned the battery terminals and tried again did the same. Then I used another battery that I had that was brand new and it did the same. I thought it might have been the starter solenoid and that wasn't it. What should I do next because I have no idea what this could be other than maybe the starter.

 

[Bully Bob]

Sounds like a neutral safety switch.., bad key switch..

You could jump the starter to test it.

Do the lights work..? does the dash gauges come alive with key "on" ..?

When you turn key to "start".., do the lights dim..?

 

[Eric W]

Sounds like a neutral safety switch.., bad key switch.. />

You could jump the starter to test it.

Do the lights work..? does the dash gauges come alive with key "on" ..?

When you turn key to "start".., do the lights dim..?

Yes the lights did and no the lights didn't dim

But the odd thing is that when I put the car in neutral ( I don't know why I did it)and started it and it clicked and everything went off, gauges, lights everything. Then I thought the battery was dead so I put the other battery in and still no power so I finally gave up and put the original battery in and the light inside came on. So I was like what the heck and just turned the key and it started right up. Is this an electrical issue?

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Eric,

Sounds like the neutral switch may be worn as Bob said and/ or the battery ground. Loose at the block, coroded,frayed, grease and oil causing insulation at the block connection. For you own good check all the grounds. If the battery cable is older than 5yrs replace it.

Good Luck

 

[miesk5]

yo ERIC,

I agree w/Bob & Ron

Check for Batty Voltage along the path using Wiring Diagram in an 89 by Ryan M (Fireguy50) at http://oldfuelinjection.com/files/bronco_1989_28.gif

Here is a long No Start Troubleshooting; "...First thing to check is wiring. Between the large posts of your starter relay; should be a smaller post with a wire attached. This is the wire from your ignition switch through the Manual Lever Position Sensor (MLPS) with an E4OD, to the starter relay and the on to the starter solenoid (if equipped) and starter. Check this wire for cracks, open insulation, or anything that could possibly cause an open circuit.

Next, check your upper ignition actuator. Find the ignition rod (on top of the column, running from the steering wheel down to the ignition switch at the base of the column) and make sure it's moving back and forth when you turn the key, through all positions. If it is, your upper actuator is probably not the problem.

Lastly, check your ignition switch (again, at the base of the column). Manually push the switch back and forth through the different positions. Push it all the way forward (or down) and see if it will engage the starter. If it does, then your ignition rod is probably bent, which can be remedied quite easily.

If it's an auto, try starting in neutral or while pulling up on the lever while it's in park. If that works, look to the MLPS.

You could try jumping from hot to the small terminal on the starter relay to test it's operation. Sometimes new ones are bad out of the box. If it won't turn over when jumped to the small terminal, you'll know that it's a starter relay issue (Bad part, bad ground or a bad starter. Check to see if da relay is tight to inner fender with no corrosion because the relay's body is ground path via inner fender). If it does turns over jumped to the small terminal, then you'll be looking for something in the small circuit that includes the ignition switch & the MLPS.

There should be 12v running from the ignition switch, thru the MLPS, to the small terminal on the starter relay w/ign sw turned to start. Disconnect the small wire to the starter relay (So it doesn't start by surprise, I'd pull the coil wire too). With someone holding the key in the start position, you should be able to read 12v between any point on that small circuit & ground. When you find where you lose 12v, then you'll know where the issue is...";

by BigUgly88EB and ElKabong (Ken, El Kabong)

MIESK5 EDIT; changed a few terms

Lock Cylinder Adjustment & Switch Pin-Out Diagram & Continuity Testing (Logic Tables) in an 83; "...The following proceedure is from the 1983 Ford Service manual, with a few minor wording changes, but should work for any year. Also included are a couple of illustrations from the same proceedure to help you visualize it..."

Source: by Seabronc (Rosie, Fred W) at Ford Bronco Zone Forums http://broncozone.com/topic/7243-ignition-switch-adjustment-proceedure/