It's not running, now it is ???

[lawman212]

1. Needs some help with my 1989 Bronco. I had to go into town today and my bronco ran great. I came home and parked it in the driveway and got ready for work. I came out to go to work and tried to start my bronco and it died after a few seconds. I let it sit for a few minutes and started it again and the same thing. On the thrid try I gave it some gas to keep it running and it ran rough before dying? I'm thinking it may be my coil because it looks beat up. One more thing the first time I tried to start it my bronco it just turned over but never started. I let it sit for a few seconds and started it but it would run a few seconds and die. Any suggestions on the problem?

2. I posted the above comments before I drove my wife's jeep to work for the night shift because my Bronco wouln't start and if it did it ran rough. I just got home at 5 am and for the heck of it I tried to start my Bronco. The darn thing started right up and ran smooth as the day I drove it home last week. What is it with this truck :wacko: I just drove it down the end of the block and back to the house and parked it. I am guessing it's not the timimg chain as suggested and may be something with the ignition? or fuel. When I drove it to the end of the block it wasn't 100% smooth as normal maybe 90%. any suggestions on this one?? I don't want to try to drive to work tonight and have it die on the side of the road and come back later to find the tires gone!

 

[Seabronc]

First I'd look at the distributor cap and see if there is any evidence of high voltage arc tracks on it, either inside or out. What is the condition of your ignition wires? They could be breaking down and arching. When did you change plugs last? you may have a crack in the ceramic part, allowing it to arc over outside the plug. So if you haven't replaced any of that stuff recently, I'd do that first.

Since you said the coil is beat up, they do fail, and I'd expect it to be intermittent at first, so it is a good candidate. Also, check that the TFI module on the distributor is on securely and not loose. The TFI is also in your list of suspects.

The next component I'd suspect is the pickup in the distributor, they tend to fail when the engine gets warm. However they usually have the symptom of; won't start when engine is hot but will start when engine is cold and when it fails it's like someone turned off the key.

Attached are a few diagrams that may help you in troubleshooting. They are of a 92 TFI system but I'm pretty sure it is that it is the same as yours.

Good luck,

>-

 

[lawman212]

Thanks for the help with my question. I changed out the coil before leaving home just to be safe and it ran fine. I also removed the distributor cap and rotor and cleaned them because I didn't have time to replace both today. I will replace the Distributor cap, Plug wires, Spark plugs tomorrow when I get off work from the night shift. One other thing this bronco sat parked for sometime before I pick it up. It looks like it had alot of new engine parts such as, A/C, Water pump, Hoses and pullyes. The gasket on the timing chain cover also looks new like a garage had replace it. It does have a minor oil leak that appears to come and go from the valve covers that I will replace this weekend.

 

[ocalabronco]

replace the coil, its cheap anyways. also check the amount of voltage going to the fuel pump. your first description sounded alot like a pump on its way out

 

[bluesman17]

the valve covers are cheap get some good chrome or painted ones, not stock ones.

 

[brian_n_texas]

Noticed you said it sat for a while...if it sat for over a year then you might have some water condensed in the tank, it could cause intermittent problems. Flush the tank, or use some of that gas additive/cleaner stuff.

BNT

 

[lawman212]

replace the coil, its cheap anyways.  also check the amount of voltage going to the fuel pump. your first description sounded alot like a pump on its way out

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I was thinking that the fuel pump could have been the problem. Is the fuel pump located inside the fuel tank? And if so do you have to drop the fuel tank to get to it or is there a plate inside the vehicle under the back carpet to get to it? I don't know my fuel pump on my Blazer was on the engine block. I checked and the fuel pumps here in Florida are around $100.00

 

[bluesman17]

Some broncos have 2 fuel pumps too look alongside the frame on the drivers side.

 

[Seabronc]

Some broncos have 2 fuel pumps too look alongside the frame on the drivers side.

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I think tha tBluseman is right on your vehicle I believe you have two pumps; a low pressure one inside the tank and a high pressure one mounted on the frame. I believe the frame one is about the same position as the driver seat.

>-

 

[lawman212]

WOW!! I just tuned up my bronco, changed all the normal things and the fuel filter on the frame. The Distributor cap was trash and the plug wires were not much better. I cranked it up and drove it down the highway it was like it was a diffrent Bronco. Much better now I feel better about driving it to North or South Florida. Thanks for the help and my new Haynes Repair Manual was worth the price I paid for it. My next project is the replace the heater core that some Jack A#$ left in place and just by passed.

 

[ocalabronco]

WOW!! I just tuned up my bronco,  changed all the normal things and the fuel filter on the frame. The Distributor cap was trash and the plug wires were not much better.  I cranked it up and drove it down the highway it was like it was a diffrent Bronco. Much better now I feel better about driving it to North or South Florida. Thanks for the help and my new Haynes Repair Manual was worth the price I paid for it. My next project is the replace the heater core that some Jack A#$ left in place and just by passed.

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just curious, you mentioned driving to north or south florida. where in florida are you located?

 

[lawman212]

just curious, you mentioned driving to north or south florida. where in florida are you located?

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DAYTONA BEACH

And no I don't drive on the beach don't want that salt water on my Bronco!!