Hey guys, just bought a 90' Bronco for cheep...great shape in and out...drove it around for a couple weeks and then one day it died while driving...was able to get it back to the house but the MIL is on and the truck must be shifted from 2-D. only has 2-3 gear and the idle is erratic. I've tried to pull codes but codes but can't...I've read that it is having HLOS issues and that this will not allow the MIL to pull codes...how can I over come this issue? This is my first Ford so any help is great....thanks

 

Fordinjection.com has a good description of how to pull codes, but you don't need to.

It's the distributor going out, rebuild it or replace it, rebuilding is not that hard or that expensive if you can do it yourself.

Check the fuel pressure, it should be around 40 psi. Make sure that the pressure stays up after turning the engine off. If it doesn't then you need to replace the fuel pump which is in the fuel tank. Mine took a while to die. It was able to get around town for a shopping trip or two but it was breaking down on long trips. There's a valve in the fuel pump body that can't be replaced without breaking the fuel pump. This valve would work itself out of position over time so that eventually the fuel pressure would drop and the truck would not have any power but would still drive in "limp" home style.

A sudden loss of engine operation sounds more like an electrical issue, and then if the issue disappears and the engine operates as normal I would suspect the distributor (and it's associated part ICM) first.

Check fluid level in the transmission. Fluid should be between the holes on the stick at start up, and on the hatched area after reaching operating temp. Might need a new filter and fluid and gasket. I recommend using a Ford Filter and gasket.

 

Lol... in the 18 years we owned our Bronco... it has NEVER been the distributor, you're very funny g_k50.

Irish, first of all, welcome to FTE. Now, i would say: try lending an ECU for the same combination of gearbox/engine (actually, the ECU only has to match the gearbox if it's an E4OD auto, wich is computer controlled) in your truck and check if the issue goes away, as your troubles and the fact you're not being able to pull codes sounds like it's fried.

 

Rats, everyone's caught on to that ole "Rebuild or replace Distributor" sthick that I worked so hard to come up with.

Now I'll have to come up with something new, maybe trans fluid level.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/p...ictureid=41395

This is what a 1990 Bronco looks like at the top of the trail in Montana summer.

 

Encho this is going to sound really dumb but how do you tell what tranny you have?

 

If it's a '90, auto, most likely an E4OD, count the bolts on the trans oil pan, there should be 20, C6 will have 17, AOD/AOT will have 14.

 

If it's got a downward bump in the oil pan, it's an AOD. There's a picture in my gallery album.

 

Hey guys sorry it took so long to get back to you but after pulling the ECM out of the Bronco, I couldn't find any markings or stamping to show what ECM it was. After going rounds with the dealership I was able to buy an ECM and the Bronco has been running fine, in fact took the kids muddin' Sunday....thanks for all your help...

 

Glad to hear it's working right, and it's nice to see i nailed that one .