help.....86 bronco(its running again)

[dfl701]

i need some help with a 86 bronco. alittle background...its my brothers we picked up for 500. super clean! but its had problems since we got it. its the 302 fuel injected.

so heres the problems. we got it running good after it would randomly just shut off after driving. one of the stupid fusible links in the ignition kept blowing. it ran fine for about a month.

well we thought it was the same problem. changed it again and still nothing. so we got a new computer and it ran that day. next day nothing. so any ideas? just replaced the ignition module.(which is the stupidest design i have EVER seen). turns out had to pull the distributor to get the dang thing out. now the timing is possibly off. so how do you check timing on this thing if it wont start.

 

[ktmoutfront]

I was just messing with an 86 truck. Check the coil. It can come and go like that. Found a ford site online with al kinds of info on those computers. I did not book mark it though. Sorry.

With the number one cylinder on top dead center, the rotor should be pointed at the mark on the cap. They make it easy for ford mechanics. When you are looking at the balancer, there might be a deep grove, that is not the timing grove. The timing marks are not as defined.

 

[Fordum]

Ford moved that TFI module around some. On my 89 351, it can be changed without removing the dizzy.
Don't remember on yours.

If you are not getting a spark, and you put plenty of heat sink compound under the TFI when you replaced it, then I would suspect the coil or the hall effect transducer inside the distributor.
In that order.

Check to make sure that you are lined up with number one wire when number cylinder is TDC on the compression stroke.

Then, when it runs, pull the SPout wire off and set it to, I think, 10 degrees.
The correct amount should be on the valve cover or somewhere under the hood.

Pulling that wire, kills the signal to the computer and causes it to run at base timing.

There are test procedures for all the components, if you want, I will try to dig them up for you.

 

[dfl701]

That's all great info. I will try all of that. Me and dad are working on it everyday so we can get it runnin. Gonna make sure we didn't lose fuel.

I found the ignition switch may be bad. You can pull the key out and sometimes still be getting power so that could be causing problems.

 

[Fordum]

Nope, if you can pull the key out with it in the "on" position, that has nothing to do with the problem.
It just means that you have a worn lock cylinder.

I would not worry about it. Mine does not use a key.

I had a tumbler get loose and kept me from cranking it with the key out in the woods one time.
I managed to get the tumbler back in place long enough to crank it, pulled the cylinder on the spot and dumped all the tumblers out.
Now, it cranks just fine without the key.

If it keeps running with the key in the "off" position, then you have a problem.
Ford had some defective switches around about that time that caused some fires.
But I think that was after your date.

If you want to replace the lock, not the switch, and its a column key, turn the key to "on", look under the bulge where the lock cylinder goes into the column.

You will see either a hole or a slot. Stick something like a 1/8 inch Allen wrench, small screwdriver, up in the hole and push up.
You will feel something give, and then you can just pull the key cylinder out.

Hold the cylinder and turn the key. You will see a little pin slide out.
That is what holds it in place. Turn the key back to the on position, and you can push the pin back in.

Slide the cylinder back into place, turn it to off, and its back in.
You can buy lock cylinders like that from locksmiths, Ford dealers, or, if they have the key to fit, junkyards.

 

[dfl701]

alright guys got it running. thank you! timing is still off. its gotta alittle rattle to it so gotta try to get it dialed in. im glad it just started.

next gonna go ahead and replace the coil