I bought a 1990 Bronco about two weeks ago. When I first went to look at this Bronco it would not start. I thought maybe it was out of gas because the fuel guage did not work and the pevious owners had not used it in a long time so I put gas in it. It still did not start, it turns but does not start. I thought maybe it was the fuel pump although the previous owners had said they had replaced the fuel pump about two months ago. Hopeing it wasn't the fuel pump I replaced the fuel filter and it started right up. OK this is what puzzles me, I drove it about two hundred miles to where I live without any signs of trouble at all. The next day it started, I drove it around town and when I got home I let it idle while I went inside my house to get something. When I came out it had died and did not want to start again. I thought it was out of gas so I put some in but still it refused to start. I left it alone the next morning it started but then died a few seconds later. Now a few days later I decided to purchase another fuel filter maybe something in the fuel tank is clogging the filter. But before I started replacing the filter I tried to start it again and it started and did not stall and I let it idle about an hour or so. But I am afraid to drive it any where because it might stall and not start again. Any ideas greatly appreciated.

 

have a buddy w/ a truck follow u. have tow straps so when it/if it stalls u r not screwed. -wb

 

You may very well have a tank full of rust. I'd drive it locally to burn off as much fuel as possible and pull the tank. Get one of those hand-operated siphon pumps (sold where kerosene heater supplies are located) and a couple of cheap 5 gallon gas cans. Drop the tank, and sump it out. Flush and repeat. Now would be the time to change out that bad sender [and in-tank fuel pump, if your truck has one]. Use a Ford unit; Bronco Graveyard will probably have a better deal on one than your local dealer. Reinstall the tank. You'll probably want to have replacement bolts / locknuts on hand for the skid plate (I'm thinking Grade 5, around size 7/16" X 1", a total of around ten. Buy a couple of extra.) You'll probably also want a new rubber filler neck hose and clamps. Compare NAPA and Ford prices / availability. Add 5 gallons of gas (fresh gas that you had waiting in a can, not what you sumped out.) Start the truck, warm it up, drive it to the local gas station to add more gas. Drive home and change the fuel filter. Start trusting it a little more. If you have further trouble, start suspecting the fuel pump (high pressure) or fuel pump relay. Could also be the ignition module or ignition-related, but I'm running on the theory that your changing the filter and getting the truck to start was more than just coincidence. Good luck.

 

I just bought a 1990XLT w/351 and had the same problem. But the gas tank is brand new. Changed the ignition module(located on the distributor) and she fires up just fine.

 

same happened 2 my 90 bronco and my mustang, replaced the tanks on both, both run great now