I did not, since the codes pointed to the inductor. But I am going to call him a lunchtime, and will ask.

I am starting to think that vehicles with so many sensors and computers etc. are no longer worth having when they get old.

 

Just spoke with my mechanic. He had already checked the EEC module and it was ok. They found the problem in a wire harness somewhere. I'm not sure specifically where but will let you know later when I go over there and he shows me. The codes did point to the inductor though, I don't suppose it's a bad thing that I have a new ignition module and inductor now...

This kinda junk is in no way the mechanic's fault. These trucks are designed to be diagnosed by codes, and we went by the codes. What sucks is that something like a wire loom will generate false codes and waste time and money. And maybe the inductor WAS on its way out anyway.

After little annoyances like this get fixed, I'm a little less mad at the Bronc. But with the towing and all, this is still gonna cost me and that really sucks.

 

"These trucks are designed to be diagnosed by codes, and we went by the codes. What sucks is that something like a wire loom will generate false codes and waste time and money."

At the risk of ticking you off............. Yes and No. In most cases the code indicates the circuit or function that is giving unexpected feedback to the computer(s) It is the technician's challenge to ensure the sensor in question is receiving proper ground, base voltage etc. and is in fact malfunctioning. (Lot's easier said than done usualy) If you slam in every part corresponding to every code you ever read on the scanner, you'll replace a lot of non-faulty parts. Please don't interpret this as an assault on your mechanic because that isn't what I just said at all. Your system would have an infinite number of possible codes if Ford or GM for that matter attempted to monitor every wire, every connection, every two inches for example. We wouldn't be able to afford a car capable of that, with current technology.

I'll agree that I wish my 10 year old truck wasn't nearly so high tech now that it has age on it.

 

"It is the technician's challenge to ensure the sensor in question is receiving proper ground, base voltage etc."

I stayed with them for quite a while and actually helped test circuits with test lights, etc. not to mention two different big code reading boxes that I basically don't understand. Having watched them, and sort of participate, I agreed with the diagnosis. I too would put in inexpensive parts, like we did, before testing every wire and harness, which is labor intensive. These people have always been fair with me and will not charge me excessive labor times.

I do not envy the job of the modern mechanic, working on 10-15 year old cars with computers and sensors failing all over the place. If cars were still made like they were before 1972 or so, I'd still be a mechanic myself. I used to think that working on vehicles was fun, it's not fun with modern stuff. I am still considering getting a clean, mid 60's pickup truck that I can work on myself if I don't get enough money from my settlement to buy something new. $5,000 will buy a very clean old truck, with a straight six that runs forever and is as easy to work on as a lawnmower. I could have a straight 6 motor pulled out of a pickup in a couple of hours, get a rebuilt, and drop it back in the same day. I wouldn't even think of pulling the motor on my Bronc, with all of those wires and hoses and the TFI etc.

 

Not to mention the $2,500 tranny on the Broncs, I remember when a Turbo 350, a 727, or a C6 was in any vehicle that I owned, a rebuild was around $250-300, labor included. Even today they cost about that. I dread the day when my tranny goes, knocking on wood it's ok now.

 

Jbronco: Here is what your next Bronco ride should be. Should have no more mechanical breakdown. Ever. And if a screw or two do come loose after a few miles, do come back and let us know exactly how you feel. Okie Dorkie?

 

yup, id agree with fatfenders, on most codes, there is a procedure to diagnose the circut the code indicates, as to determine if its infact the component, or signal lose in the system (wiring problem/conection) so it is actualy the mechanics fault for just assumeing it was the component and replaceing it.. DW

 

You need to stay out of this thread. if you dont want to help the man with his problem, then dont post here, if you continue to be a pain in the *** here im sure you'll here from a moderator. DW

 

I just got the call. Another $307. $63 was towing. He left the inductor in but took the new module out. At least it is fixed. Next time if this happens at home I will do some wire checking. But this time I was on my way to an important meeting, Ineeded to get there, and I was dressed up.

Thanks DW2455. To jnguyen, I'll chalk up your comments to the fact that (I'm guessing) you're young. In spite of all of all of my problems, I've always done my best to help people here, many times with things learned through my own bad experiences. I didn't get 1,000+ posts by whining. I may be able to help you one day. So take a chill pill and be happy if your Bronco didn't have another four-figure repair bill for the month.

 

Amen

 

Thanks all, yeah I know I'm whining and a bit pissed, and I did it last December too when the truck ate four complete paychecks in a row. But dang, it's frustrating, I'm not rich and to continually be spending hundreds of dollars is really hurting. It's especially frustrating because I take such good care of it. Thanks to all who put up with me!

 

JBronco,
I was strongly considering to start changing my driving habits 'cause of my high miles on mine - I think I'm going to continue to stomp the "pedal to the metal"

How much did it cost you this time

 

Sorry 'bout my last question, can't read - only look at photo's (esp with the large wide one)

 

I had the exact same problem. I was trying to get onto the interstate when, nothing.

I live in Florida and it was raining HARD! I had to push the HEAVY 90 EB out of the turning lane in rush hour traffic. People blowing there horns and all I could do is stop pushing the beast and tell them they were no. 1!

I lived about a mile down the road and I had it towed to my house. I could tell that I was getting fuel b/c the fuel pump whined. Next I called my wife to come home so I could take her back to work. Went to NAPA and purchased an ignition control module. Goes on with two screws mounted on the side of the distributor. Got inside and whamo, turned over like a charm. The part wasn't cheap, but I thought thru everything and thought - trial and error - and I was right.

Try this out and I hope you don't have anymore problems. I have felt like you in the past, and have sunk a lot of money. It has been well worth it. Now my only problem is if I can keep the truck in my own lane down the road! The good old Bronco steering.

Take care and good luck!

 

Well here is what the problem was - I certainly would not have found it on the side of the road and I don't think that it was the first place the mechanic should have looked. There are a bunch of wire bundles with connectors mounted on the driver's side fenderwell on my 1990. Inside one of them, one wire had a bad connection, a red wire. This was what was keeping my truck from getting spark. Rather than replace the entire connecor (which would have been hard, all the wires would have to be cut and butt spliced or soldered) he jumped that one wire around the connector and butt spliced it. Even though I have a schematic, I probably would not have found this, and especially on the side of the road, dressed up, and late for a meeting. It's just one of those things, but it's stupid things like this that seem to happen a lot to the Bronco and p!ss me off.

At any rate, the module was good so we put the old one back in. They did NOT charge me for the other parts (inductor pickup and the distributor gear that got cracked coming off). It was all labor and towing.

If I ever have this sort of a problem at home, I could spend some time with the schematic, but in the situation I was in I did not have much of a choice. Considering that I was coming off of a short work week, there went another paycheck. I think that I'm gonna name my Bronco -- Johnny Paycheck!