Won't Start
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Over here
Won't Start
Hi , new guy here so here goes. Have a 85 150,V8 302 FI,AT 2wd, It started running rough like when you start to run out of fuel,Idid a basic tune up ,time for it anyway, coil was changed a year ago, have spark,new plugs etc etc..have twin tanks, thought front tank going empty,sw to back tank no luck. I cycled sw on off to run fuel from front fuel pump to ck for flow,it did its thing for 3sec. cycle,I did this for a count of 15 to make sure I was getting fuel,(did both fuel pumps in tanks) had fuel. It won't even cough, bad ing. computer? I understand the timing is controlled by this computer. Any ideas ? I don't need to spend a fortune I don't have sw parts because I don't have a computer to hook it up to. Thanks
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 102
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From: PA
I had a similar problem with my '86 Mustang with 5.0, ended up being a bad computer. If you have a code reader see what codes your computer puts out. When I had this problem the computer was sending no codes at all, not even the 'everything OK' code. I replaced the computer with a remanufactured unit for about $120. and its OK now.
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From: Over here
Still Won't Start
I checked with a dealership that was actually trying to help, guy said the pressure regulator on the fuel rail might be the prob. If it goes it will be like dumping raw fuel from a water hose into the system. I changed it but no luck turns over,smell of fuel, has spark that looks strong, $40.00 gone and it was a pain to change cause the allen caps were upside down and screwed "into" not thru the flange. I still think it's one or more of the fuel pumps even as I am getting fuel (to purge lines of air).
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Right Next to U
Have you check the fuel relays near the engine compartment next to the battery? Mine is corroded inside the plugin, but so far it works, have to take time to clean them in the morning, also ACCORDING to the HAynes manual, the FUEL filter is supposed to be changed every 6000 miles, but when you go to the section that tells you how to change it, the section also reads "it should last the lifetime of the Auto".Someone didn't Proofread the material....hummmm
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Joined: Nov 2003
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wow im glad i found this post. Ive been having the exact same problems with my 86 fullsize bronco 5.0L. I have a bad feeling that it's the computer because the codes ive been getting from my code reader are all over the place. Its been doing this for about a month now, and i replaced about every sensor on the engine because thats what everyone told me the problem was. Just today it finaly got so bad that my truck wont even start anymore. im not sure what to do now, im eather gonna get a new computer, or just swap the whole thing over to carb instead. Anyone know a company that makes a good aftermarket computer for a decent price?
Last edited by yea_bronco; Nov 22, 2003 at 12:36 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Over here
Still Won't Start
Hey just a little more info, I asked the guy at the dealership if the in tank pumps were dependent on the front inline pump power harness being connected to make the tank pumps run( my idea was to disconnect the feed on the inline pump to ck to see if either tank pumps were actually sending fuel up to inline pump). He told me the inline pump cycles 3sec to "charge " the fuel rail to get the engine to start up and then the computer senses the RPM's and then gives power to run the in tank pumps (on dual tanks whichever one you selected). I keep thinking it has to be one or more pumps gone south because they are the org. pumps(been in use for 18+ years, trk is 85) Have only disconnected the discharge on inline pump to ck for fuel flow( I asked mech. what the flow might would be, he said very small amount just to fill fuel rail to get started. Just ck over text and seen that I used the word "pump" eleven times ....now twelve, later everybody.
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From: Over here
Will Start, but...
Started from basic again, I ckd static timing before but now something new, I lifted dist. cap after bringing up #1 piston to compression and lined up timing mark on harmonic balancer and it looked to be off time about 3 towers on cap, pulled dist. and reset to #1 tower, tried it ,it started but slowly the timing started to change ( had timing light hooked up to see if this would happen). I ckd for a stripped roll pin on dist. shaft when out, it was good, cam shaft gear looked like it turned w/out unusual movement. I forgot to say before that the module on dist. was changed about a year ago when it failed then. I might have a stripped key on cam gear (the gear set was changed about 2 years ago when I had to replace water pump, I figured it was just as well since you have to take everything off to do this). I'm hungry, got to go , I'll keep digging to let everybody know.
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
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new engine
well i found out its for sure the computer. I took the ECU module out of a friends 86 F150 5.0L, put it in my truck, and the whole thing worked fine. I looked around a bit for a new computer and found that even used ones from the auto wrecker are rediculously expensive, plus i hate all the complicated computer junk anyway. So today i looked through the paper and bought an F350 with a carbed 351W for 450$ (the body is VERY rough), i plan on switching the engine and tranny into my truck, i figured it was the best idea since my trannys getting pretty bad too. I know my gas bill will go up, but i kinda feel the 302 is a little underpowered for the 5500 pound bronco anyway.
well, good luck to all you guys still trying to fix your computer problems, i'll let you know how my swap go's incase any of you computer haters decide to do the same thing as me.
well, good luck to all you guys still trying to fix your computer problems, i'll let you know how my swap go's incase any of you computer haters decide to do the same thing as me.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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new engine is awsome
ya i guess i forgot to tell you guys I live in B.C Canada on vancouver island, a used computer from the auto wrecker was 800$, a new one from ford 1300$, or the whole truck with a nice 351W for 450$. I already almost have the old 302 out of my truck, and the friend who i borrowed the ECU from wants to buy my old engine for 1000$. Plus the truck i bought has a big steel loggers box on it which 2 people have already offerd me 500$ for (more than i payed for the whole truck). I'd have to say thats probably the best 450$ ive ever spent