I have a 1990 bronco with a 358w. We recently purchased for my wife. It ran good, few idle issues, dirty throttle body, and light valve tick.

I finally got a day off and decided to do some maintenance. Cleaned throttle body, removed intake, RS valve cover to inspect rockers, ran compression test on RS cylinders, replaced gasket on RS header.

Compression and rockers checked out fine, throttle body was gunked up but cleaned well.

So the issue is engine ran and started great before, now doesn't even try to start. It turns over fine, but never fires.

Have checked all wiring connections that I unhooked, tested and replaced relays, checked fuel pressure, tested injectors for power, made sure spark was still present, all plug wires still ran correctly in correct firing order. Even sprayed starting fluid And still no success.

Is there any advice on what to check next. Sensors, eec issues, a way to bypass anything to just get it to run?

I'm to the point of pulling my hair out, I feel like I've been fairly through but still can't find the issue.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Cam. Hopefully you used a throttle body cleaner and not carb cleaner . I have seen it posted here before NEVER USE CARB CLEANER ON THE THROTTLE BODY. Three things to make our engines run-spark/fire, air and fuel .These trucks are computer controlled ,so no bypassing .#1 The fuel pump is in the tank (hear it coming on at the turn of the key).Just because you hear it, does not mean you are getting proper fuel pressure. #2 Constant spark-its computer controlled.. I know you mentioned both fuel injectors and spark .Since your using starting fluid, and its a no fire, could be a spark problem. Hopefully you didn't cross the plug wires up!!If not I would try to loosen the distributor(may be a timing problem)if you have spark -- try using a person to crank it while moving the distributor in small increments. Next comes to mind is testing for codes-Try you tube -Good luck TR

 

Thank you for the advice.

Plug wires are on correctly and ran a fuel pressure test. Looks like the pumps are working.

So I did use carb-choke cleaner.... What could that hurt in the throttle body? What should I look for if damaged?

I will also try adjusting the timing to see if that works.

Thanks,

Cam

 

I do not know, if any ,if that will cause a no start issue.I see sensor safe listed on my throttle body cleaner.Make a reference mark on the base of the distributor before trying that. As Stated ,codes can be retrieved,depending on if the battery was disconnected when doing your repair.Unhooking it in your repair may have cleared all codes.
There are sensors that can cause a no start.In the past I replaced a coolant temperature sensor with an advance auto cheapie that has caused problems at start.It wasn't constant but at times the resistance would be off ,making it difficult to start-and a no start(what a PITA that was ).MOTORCRAFT parts are your best friend in many replacement parts,ESPECIALLY in ELECTRICAL -ELECTRONIC parts. Coolant temp.sensor Is DIFFERENT from your temp.sending switch.It uses the computer to adjust fuel air...per temp values. TR

 

Good info here: Part 1 -How to Troubleshoot a No Start (Ford 4.9L, 5.0L, 5.8L).

 

I hate to ask this question, but did you put the dizzy back in 180 degrees out? Make sure you are at tdc and look to see if the rotor is near #1.