Is it the PIP?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2012
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Is it the PIP?
My son was driving his 86 Bronco 5.0 efi the other day and it dies while driving down the road. Long story short, after replacing the fuel filter and checking the coil wire for spark with no love, I checked a few other things and eventually it started. Drove home and for the next few days with no problems. Two days ago it did the same thing, he coasted to the side of the road and it started back almost immediately. Got home, parked it and no start. Pulled the codes and nothing. Tried it again yesterday afternoon, started right up. I was gonna drive it to work this morning. It started then died and would not start back. The whole ignition system is new except the distributor itself. Am I possibly dealing with the PIP sensor? I'm stumped.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
Likes: 4,139
From: Angier, NC
It could be the PIP but I would put your money on the TFI, bolted to the dist. as that is what happens when it starts to go bad.
The TFI (Thin Film Ignition) is the gray box bolted to the dist that all the wires plug into.
It dose take a special thin wall socket or grind down an old one to fit in the hole, to change them out.
Also when you get or order a new one ask for top of the line one. It will be a little more money but you get what you pay for and the cheap ones dont last long.
BTW when the DSII box on the older IGN system goes bad it does the same thing.
Heats up and stops working (no spark), cools off and will work for a bit till it heats up again.
This can go on for a while or stop working all together after 1 or 2 times.
Dave ----
The TFI (Thin Film Ignition) is the gray box bolted to the dist that all the wires plug into.
It dose take a special thin wall socket or grind down an old one to fit in the hole, to change them out.
Also when you get or order a new one ask for top of the line one. It will be a little more money but you get what you pay for and the cheap ones dont last long.
BTW when the DSII box on the older IGN system goes bad it does the same thing.
Heats up and stops working (no spark), cools off and will work for a bit till it heats up again.
This can go on for a while or stop working all together after 1 or 2 times.
Dave ----
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
I replaced the TFI just a short while ago, and heat doesn't seem to be a factor. It wouldn't start after sitting for 24hrs. When it does start, it does so very quickly. If I replace the distributor, it comes with a new TFI. I think that's the route I'm looking toward.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
Likes: 4,139
From: Angier, NC
Most of the time it is heat but sometimes even siting a few days it may not start.
Did you replace it with a top of the line TFI or just ask them for a TFI module?
There is a reason why I said TOL one.
What was wrong with the old one? If you just changed it to change it, give that a try.
A new dist. should come with a new PIP & TFI but they would not be TOL ones.
Dose the coil have a horse shoe wire holder? If so pull it and check it over as some have found it full of green stuff and I dont mean money LOL
I know there is a way to check the PIP.
I think if the PIP is working and you put a test light on the coil NEG side and turn the motor over it should blink as I think it gets its signal from the PIP.
Or maybe it is getting it from the TFI?
If wrong someone will let me / us know.
Dave ----
Did you replace it with a top of the line TFI or just ask them for a TFI module?
There is a reason why I said TOL one.
What was wrong with the old one? If you just changed it to change it, give that a try.
A new dist. should come with a new PIP & TFI but they would not be TOL ones.
Dose the coil have a horse shoe wire holder? If so pull it and check it over as some have found it full of green stuff and I dont mean money LOL
I know there is a way to check the PIP.
I think if the PIP is working and you put a test light on the coil NEG side and turn the motor over it should blink as I think it gets its signal from the PIP.
Or maybe it is getting it from the TFI?
If wrong someone will let me / us know.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,027
Likes: 2,762
From: Virginia
If you are missing PIP signals, you should get a code 14 in the memory code section only. The older profile ignition pickups were prone to failure as they got oil soaked and swelled up inside the distributor.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 116
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Well, the verdict is in! After reading everyone's great advice and pondering the 18 trouble code, I started thinking about the coil. When I got home I checked and the wire to the negative side had somehow backed off and was apparently making contact part of the time. Problem solved! Thanks for the help and for saving the cost of a new distributor... for now anyway!
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,988
Likes: 4,139
From: Angier, NC
Good to hear it was a easy no $ fix.
Thanks for letting us know the fix as it may help someone.
Dave ----
Thanks for letting us know the fix as it may help someone.
Dave ----
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