My bronco is a pain to start much of the time, and i ran into the same problem with a small jimmy i have before and it turned out to be the ignition modular so i'm thinking that i will replace that on my bronc and see if that's what it was. Anyone know a way to test if it is the ignition module, and what one do i need? i have 88, 351, 3 speed. I found one on partsamerica.com that is mounted on the fenderwall, its a Niehoff Ignition FF402 will this work?

 

dont guess, thats how things get expensive. first scan for codes both your haynes and www.fordfuelinjection.com explain how to do this using a paperclip. once you have done this let us know what you have found. when was it tuned up last with plugs,wires,cap/rotor, fuelfilter and timing set to 10*btdc with spout connector removed? these things are all important.

 

I'm with Kemical. don't waste your money guessing. Most likely your guess will be wrong.

 

so this is what i would consider interesting. it passed the Koeo test, but the cm test pulled the codes 29 and 31.

 

with it running it ran the 40 code.

 

So anyone have a clue if these will cause it to not want to start, or take a good amount of cranks to get started? If so which one and much smaller will my wallet get?

 

There is no Code 40 for EEC-IV computers.

Code 29 indicates no signal from the VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) when all of the OTHER sensors indicated that the truck was actually moving.

Code 31 indicates that the EVP (EGR Valve Positioning) sensor generated a LOWER voltage than expected during the self-test.

Not sure what to tell you about the code 40 since there is no such animal in the EEC-IV computer codes. The Code 29 would indicate either a faulty VSS or it has intermittant ground or power feed. Check the connector at the sensor on top of the rear differential housing.

Code 31 is the most likely reason for the hard starting. If the EVP sensor is disconnected, has a bad ground, or has just plain failed, the Computer has no idea whether the EGR valve is open or closed. Since EGR is applied and removed by the computer at different times under different driving conditions, the computer needs the positioning info from the EVP to ensure application of the EGR system at the proper time. The EVP sensor is located on top of the EGR valve to the left and behind the the throttle body. The connectorhas three wires running to it - Black/white, brown/light green, orange/white.

 

Well here's the thing, it when i have the code scanner on and then turn the engine on it will have a four beep sequence and that's it so i assumed it was 40, which according to the code page kemical gave me that would mean the 4th cylinder is unbalanced.

 

There are no sensors for balance on a cylinder. What type of reader do you have? Check the start sequense of the reader. you can have the Ignition module located under the distributor checked at Oreillys auto store and i do believe also at auto zone (for free). They have a check machine they read the module 5 times and it has to read bad 3 times. When I had mine checked they only did it once the module checks3 or 4 systems and mine failed on everyone my truck started a lot easier after i replaced it. you will need a special nut driver to get at the screws they cost about 5$. well worth it.

 

Its an actron reader. I was just going by the post that kemical had given me about pulling the codes and it said 40 was that which is why i thought it was interesting because i didn't thikn there were any sensors for the cylinders being balanced. Thanks for the suggestion about autozone, i'll take advantage of that.

 

Good Luck!

 

My reader will beep 4 times on the KOER test. It lets me know it is an 8 cylinder. Just a check is all. Three beeps mean a 6 and 2 means a 4.

 

My 88 with a 302 was requiring more and more cranking to get it started. I took it to a fuel injection place and they put a spacer on the throttle body and then charged me a couple hundred bucks. When I picked it up it did the same thing. I took it back and they said they adjusted the fuel pressure regulator and it has worked fine since. They did not charge me for the recall! I have never heard of adjusting the fuel pressure regulator.

 

Jem
what they did was put a bandade on your real issue. adjusting the fuel pressure is not the right way and that spacer is a better paper weight then anything. You got took in more ways then i can say.

 

Wow fast reply. What was the real issue then?