Hello all. So let me start by saying that I am not a very good mechanic but am willing to try and work hard. So I bought a 1990 Bronco with a 351 Windsor 5.8L. When I purchased there were a couple of things that needed to be repaired: front left brake line needed replacing, needed a new tire, and the previous owner had put a push button start because he broke the ignition actuator on the steering column. I did my research and found that these would not be to difficult to fix ( with some help from my buddies at the fire dept.). So I had a buddy trailer it to my house and got the brake line replaced, replaced two tires because one had a sidewalk puncture and the other had low tread, changed oil and filter, and put a new battery in it. Took it for inspection and the only other thing that needed to be replaced was the front left tie rod so all seemed good for a short while. The oil gauge would go from fine to no reading while driving so ended up replacing the oil sending unit. While replacing that found that the radiator had a small crack so replaced that along with upper and lower hoses and the thermostat. Then it seemed to idle high 1400-1600. So took advice of some firefighter buddies and removed throttle body and cleaned thoroughly. Idle still 1400-1600. Replaced TPS and idle dropped to about 800-900 so I consider this success! Now my Bronco feels like it is bucking like crazy (especially when accelerating or going uphill). At first I replaced the fuel filter with no change. Then a buddy suggested replacing the distributor, rotor, and wires which I did and at first it felt okay but drove it around the corner and back and started bucking on the way home. So I decided to go to this forum to see if there was any direction on what I should do next. Like I said I am not very mechanical but can follow directions well. I would appreciate any and all help. Thanks for reading!
Finally got a Bronco that I have wanted since high school
- Thread starter ffmedic
- Start date
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Rons beast
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Hey ff,
Welcome.
Congrats on your new pride.
First let me say I would recommend changing the right front brake line as well as the rear flex line. I always recommend changing anything brake related in pairs (left and right). In a panic stop there can be an imbalance that could make the vehicle unstable. After all the rubber flex lines are probably 26 years old.
The bucking is usually a secondary ignition problem, but you said you replaced the cap, wires and rotor, how about the plugs? Might as well complete the entire system. There could be a problem in the dist. pick-up coil or the module. or even the coil itself. A bit of diagnostic efforts are needed.
I have seen the pick up coils break down under strain...but the secondary ignition system usually shows these symptoms first.
I have encountered this "bucking" with incorrect plugs and even with new platinum plugs is some vehicles. Change the plugs to the recommended type and report back to us here.
Good Luck
Welcome.
Congrats on your new pride.
First let me say I would recommend changing the right front brake line as well as the rear flex line. I always recommend changing anything brake related in pairs (left and right). In a panic stop there can be an imbalance that could make the vehicle unstable. After all the rubber flex lines are probably 26 years old.
The bucking is usually a secondary ignition problem, but you said you replaced the cap, wires and rotor, how about the plugs? Might as well complete the entire system. There could be a problem in the dist. pick-up coil or the module. or even the coil itself. A bit of diagnostic efforts are needed.
I have seen the pick up coils break down under strain...but the secondary ignition system usually shows these symptoms first.
I have encountered this "bucking" with incorrect plugs and even with new platinum plugs is some vehicles. Change the plugs to the recommended type and report back to us here.
Good Luck
Last edited by a moderator:
Yo ffmedic,
Welcome!
Try a Self Test for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)s by my pal, BroncoJoe19
http://broncozone.com/topic/14269-code-reader/?pid=74587&mode=threaded
Some basics;
The engine temperature must be greater than 50° F for the Key On Engine Off (KOEO) Self-Test and greater than 180° F for the Key On Engine Running (KOER) Self-Test.
Run it around to heat the engine up and shift thru all gears including Reverse.
Make sure A/C is off and transmission is in Park (automatic); or in Neutral for a Manual & release clutch.
Then turn off engine, all accessories/lights (close driver's door) , etc.
Do KOEO test First
Post Code(s) here according to:
KOEO
&
KOER
GL!
For now, without a code (s);
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/maint/vra/images/a16148b.gif
Re, vacuum leak.. see my leak test in post #20 @ http://broncozone.com/topic/23994-90-58l-getting-continuous-code-33-and-running-code-44/
Welcome!
Try a Self Test for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)s by my pal, BroncoJoe19
http://broncozone.com/topic/14269-code-reader/?pid=74587&mode=threaded
Some basics;
The engine temperature must be greater than 50° F for the Key On Engine Off (KOEO) Self-Test and greater than 180° F for the Key On Engine Running (KOER) Self-Test.
Run it around to heat the engine up and shift thru all gears including Reverse.
Make sure A/C is off and transmission is in Park (automatic); or in Neutral for a Manual & release clutch.
Then turn off engine, all accessories/lights (close driver's door) , etc.
Do KOEO test First
Post Code(s) here according to:
KOEO
&
KOER
GL!
For now, without a code (s);
http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/9497faq/maint/vra/images/a16148b.gif
Re, vacuum leak.. see my leak test in post #20 @ http://broncozone.com/topic/23994-90-58l-getting-continuous-code-33-and-running-code-44/
Last edited by a moderator:
Seabronc
New member
Welcome to the Zone!!
Did you remove the distributor from the engine block?
>-
Did you remove the distributor from the engine block?
>-Hey all thanks for the responses and information. Sorry it took me I so long for me to respond but I took your advice and changed the plugs also and found that 4 out of the 8 were fouled and now it is running much better than before. Now I think my next job to tackle will be new pads and rotors and I am going to replace the other front and rear brake line since I already replaced the left brake line. Thanks again for the help. You guys rock!
