Bronco electrical problem
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Bronco electrical problem
I just purchased an '85 Bronco to keep my '87 F250 company. When I bought it, the ignition switch powered the system, but the starter wouldn't engage. I jumped the solenoid to get it home and then installed a push button starter. I must have tweaked something in the process because the starter now works, but I have no power and it won't start. I have no lights, heater fan, radio, zippo! I'm pretty sure that the switch will still activate the power, but there is no power coming into the cab. Does anyone know a reasonably simple way to run power from the starter solenoid to the ignition switch without frying another circuit? I've been chasing wires for three days and can't seem to find the problem, even with my probe tester.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Bronco Electrical Problems
I'm pretty sure, although I know there were problems with the ignition on these Broncos. Since I can find no hot wires coming into the cab, the switch would have no function.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Texas
it sounds like your problem is identical to the one I ran into. My 84 has a push button as well that would run the starter even with no power to the cab and when I went to correctly wire the radio I later found myself with zero power coming into the cab (fuse box). Now I still think the original problem exists but to get around this I ran a 10g wire from the BAT post on the alternator to the positive post on the starter solenoid (which it didn't have before). It gave me power again but like I said I think the original problem is just being covered up.
Just a suggestion.
Just a suggestion.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
I found the problem but the fix was only temporary. A black wire, running from the solenoid, had a fusable link that had blown. I cut out the link and put in another fusable link. Everything worked great until this afternoon when I lost all electrical power. Sure enough, the fusable link had blown again. As soon as I finish writing this reply, I'm ordering a new ignition switch and everything that goes with it. I'm afraid that, if I run a wire without the fuse, I'll burn the damn car up.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Did you check the fuses and maxi fuses? and how did you wire the whole thing?. Just a week ago I was having trouble with my truck and it was a little wire that made a short, burning the fuse that feed all the ignition system.
P.S.: And of course you'll burn the damn car, the fuse has saved you from ding so so far, just as it saved mine, see what could be causing the short and save you more trouble down the road.
P.S.: And of course you'll burn the damn car, the fuse has saved you from ding so so far, just as it saved mine, see what could be causing the short and save you more trouble down the road.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Texas
where Did This Black Fusible Link Wire Go To? I Have No Fusible Link Coming Directly Off My Selonoid So Im Curious.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
I wish I could tell you. All I know is that after spending three days trying to track my problem, I tested the black wire, coming off the solenoid, after the fusible link and there was no juice. When I replaced the link, viola! I had my power back. I wish I could say I figured it out, but it was just dumb luck.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Also, I might add, the Haynes electrical diagram shows a yellow wire coming off the ignition switch and, where the wire stops, it says "to the starter solenoid". There is no yellow wire coming off my solenoid. Also, in the Haynes manual, it shows a blk/grn wire coming from the solenoid to the alternator, an orn/lt.blu wire from the alternator to the alternator regulator and then a red/grn wire from the alternator regulator to the ignition switch. As you might guess, I have no red/grn wire going to my ignition switch. Short of taking the wiring loom apart, I don't know how in the hell to determine what wire and/or fuse needs replacement.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
53Trucker
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Sep 26, 2005 10:03 PM