1989 Ford Bronco won't start

[cowboyswife]

I have a 1989 Ford Bronco automatic and I went to town and when I came out of the store it would not start at all.  It boinks and the starter  solenoid on the firewall was just replaced..Does not crank the starter, when you go to start the engine.  The battery is getting juice.   Before, this started the rpm would surge and the vehicle seemed like it wanted to die.

 

[Skitter302]

Is your voltage regulator in good working condition?

 

[miesk5]

yo C,

WELCOME!

No Spark Troubleshooting, General; "...Secondary ignition voltage can shock you. Do NOT hold or touch a spark plug wire while cranking the engine. disconnect one of the plug wires from a spark plug and place the end of the wire near a metal surface on the engine. You can insert a small Phillips screwdriver into the end of the wire (the plug boot), or a small bolt or nail to provide a conductive path. Then crank the engine and look for a spark to jump from the screwdriver, bolt or nail in the end of the plug wire to the engine. If you do not see a spark, there is an ignition problem..."
Source: by aa1car.com

Next is INVOLVED, but accurate for our Broncos;

No Start and or Misfire, etc.; Thick Film Ignition (TFI) Testing, Overview & Diagrams, Distributor Mounted Ignition Control Module (ICM); "...Part I; In This Fast Test you'll be able to pinpoint the problem to the Ignition Control Module or the Ignition Coil or the Profile Ignition Pickup Sensor (PIP Sensor) in four easy test steps. This test will only help you in a Cranks but Does Not Start Condition

Ignition Control Module (ICM) Location pic @ distributor in an 89 5.8
 



Source: by Handy_andy_cv64 (Ed B) at SuperMotors.net

 

[Rons beast]

Hey CW,

this is old, so I hope you got your Bronc to start by now.

You may have gotten a faulty solenoid, or it may have been replaced and wasn't the problem at all.

It is common for the grounds on these trucks to get loose or corroded, and cause a no crank condition, It can be fine one day and a problem the next depending on the temperature, humidity, etc.  The only cure is replacing the battery to engine ground, and checking all the other grounds to be sure they are in good shape. When you turn the key to the start position , you should have 12volts at the red wire with blue stripe at the solenoid.  That is the small wire. you should also have 12 volts at the starter cable side of the solenoid, as well as at the battery side.  ( with key in the start position all terminals of the solenoid should have power).  If you do and the truck doesn't crank, the engine ground is defective.

Hope this helps

Good Luck

 

[cowboyswife]

We changed the starter and it worked for a day and then today when we went to start it the Bronco made some grinding noises and when I turned off the engine it still ran, I had to re-start the engine three times till it turned on without the noise and  it ran good went to the store, came back and when we started it again it made the noises again and smoked a little and then it would not start again. 

 

[Rons beast]

Do the checks to the solenoid circuit.  You will drive yourself crazy just changing parts, and hoping to hit the correct one.

Is the grinding noise from the area that the starter is in?  If it is the starter could be getting voltage after the engine has fired. This could be the solenoid is sticking , or the ignition switch. (Not to be confused with the key cylinder) This is why it is important to do systematic checks of the components.

"... today when we went to start it the Bronco made some grinding noises and when I turned off the engine it still ran, ..."

This indicates an issue with the ignition switch.  When the engine runs on after turning it off, check for voltage at the white wire with a light blue stripe, at the ignition coil. If there is voltage there when the ignition is in the off position the ignition switch is faulty, or you have wires shorted in the ignition primary circuit. OR the starter solenoid is faulty internally and providing power to the ign. module, which will cause the engine to continue to run.

The ignition switch is on the steering column near the bottom. It is held by 2 screws near the top side of the column.

Unfortunatly what you may have now is a starter that has burned out from being "over spun"

Do the checks on the circuits as outlined and let's go from there.

Good Luck