I have a 1985 ford broncoII with the 2.8 liter engine. I bought this truck last year for $50 and use it as an off-road beater. she's perfect for this, with 32 inch tires and a four inch lift she'll roll over anything, and the small size and short wheel base let her go places that make full size trucks cringe. And at $50, running into the occaisional tree is no big deal. I love this truck, she's never let me down despite the abuse I've given her. But after leaving her parked all winter, i came out in the spring and she wouldn't start. engine just cranks, no start, no sputter, nothing. It doesn't seem to be a fuel flow problem, and I fed her enough starter fluid to start even without gas. I pulled one of the plugs to check spark. Sometimes it has it, sometimes not. Checked the distributer and rotor, both seem OK. I hooked a spark plug up to the coil wire, the spark is weak enough that I can hold the plug in my hand while turning it over and get only a small shock. From what i understand the spark should be much stronger. I suspected wiring as the cause, a bad ground or a short somewhere because I had a battery explode (the battery mount broke off and the battery fell into the alernator; my own fault for jumping her) and the wiring is a mess, broken wires and melted off insulation. But all wires leading to the coil and distributer seem suprisingly intact. What really confuses me is that I started he up several times during the winter with no problem, the last time being not more than 2 weeks before the trouble started. All that said, here are my questions: 1.What would cause this weak spark situation? 2.Can it be fixed for under $50? 3.Is there anyway to simplify ford's complicated computer controlled ignition system? 4.Where can I find a wiring guide for this truck so that I can remove all non-essential wiring (most of the electronics no longer work on my truck) and more easily pinpoint the problem?
I appreciate any help you can give my in saving my $50 beast.

 

>I have a 1985 ford broncoII with the 2.8 liter engine. I
>bought this truck last year for $50 and use it as an
>off-road beater. she's perfect for this, with 32 inch tires
>and a four inch lift she'll roll over anything, and the
>small size and short wheel base let her go places that make
>full size trucks cringe. And at $50, running into the
>occaisional tree is no big deal. I love this truck, she's
>never let me down despite the abuse I've given her. But
>after leaving her parked all winter, i came out in the
>spring and she wouldn't start. engine just cranks, no
>start, no sputter, nothing. It doesn't seem to be a fuel
>flow problem, and I fed her enough starter fluid to start
>even without gas. I pulled one of the plugs to check spark.
>Sometimes it has it, sometimes not. Checked the distributer
>and rotor, both seem OK. I hooked a spark plug up to the
>coil wire, the spark is weak enough that I can hold the plug
>in my hand while turning it over and get only a small shock.
> From what i understand the spark should be much stronger.
>I suspected wiring as the cause, a bad ground or a short
>somewhere because I had a battery explode (the battery mount
>broke off and the battery fell into the alernator; my own
>fault for jumping her) and the wiring is a mess, broken
>wires and melted off insulation. But all wires leading to
>the coil and distributer seem suprisingly intact. What
>really confuses me is that I started he up several times
>during the winter with no problem, the last time being not
>more than 2 weeks before the trouble started. All that
>said, here are my questions:

1.What would cause this weak
>spark situation?
Bad TFI module, bad coil, bad coil wire, low battery voltage, voltage short to ground, bad gound strap.

2.Can it be fixed for under $50?
Doubtful with new parts. Junkyard perhaps.

3.Is there
>anyway to simplify ford's complicated computer controlled
>ignition system?
Yes. Removal of the EECIV system is no big deal. Find a 2.8 in a 70's Mustang II and get the distributor and coil setup. You will find that getting the carb as well will remove the balance of the computer controlled items. The Ford 2150A feedback carb will run like a dog or not at all with out the EECIV system in place.

4.Where can I find a wiring guide for this
>truck so that I can remove all non-essential wiring (most of
>the electronics no longer work on my truck) and more easily
>pinpoint the problem?

If you are testing the spark directly from the coil and it's weak then you have eliminated the computer controls already in your diagnosis. If not, test it there first. After that if it strong at the coil then you have bad plug wires or bad cap/rotor. The pick-up and stator in the distributor will not cause weak spark. They are strictly on/off switches. If the spark is weak at the coil, check the wires and connector to the coil before you replace it.
>I appreciate any help you can give my in saving my $50
>beast.