Hi, first post here ever! And, of course, it's to ask for assistance.

Last year I bought my wife a 1989 Bronco EB in excellent shape, but with 140K on the motor. It was a vehicle that was 'in her family' for years, and she wanted it so no one outside the family would get it (it belonged to her much beloved, but now decesed, grandfather).

In any event, we don't use it much in summer months except on Home Depot trips and such, but we do use it in the winter... and winter is coming. The fact that it has a plow package makes it quite useful.

***** OK, to the problem (sorry)...

Over time, I noticed that when starting it, it would have to crank longer and longer before it would turn over. Yesterday, I went outside to start it (for the first time in two months admittedly, we haven't needed it until yesterday), and it cranked... but wouldn't start at all. Battery seems more than fine, starter is cranking, tank is 2/3 full... but nothing is happening beyond that.

Now, this is a 1989 model, so it is fuel injected. But I'm at a loss as to what could have been happening over time, then finally cause it not to start (negligence on our part, this teaches you to take care of things as you KNOW it's going to happen and not wait until it happens).

I'm simply not that familiar with Ford V8s to begin diagnosing, but I like doing my own mechanical work and want to learn. BUT... I was assuming it's a fuel pump or vacuum issue. Or whatever... i don't know where to go...

Other things that might be related? Or might not? The only other issues we ever noticed with this truck were: (1) and obnoxiously high idle speed when in Park or Neutral. It spins at about 1700 rpm all the time (not just when cold). When we move it into 'Drive' the idle drops to a more reasonable 900-1000 rpm. And (2), there must be a 'slight' fuel leak somewhere, because occasionally you can smell what seems like unburn fuel (but I have yet to find the leak). Maybe these aren't related tot he non-starting issue though and I really have three problems.

Either way, I really only need help with the issue of not starting for now, I'll tackle the others next.

In any event, any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to being an active part of the forum! Thanks!

 

Well, to run, you need spark, fuel and compression. Let's assume you have compression for the moment, it ran fine before once it started, right? When you crank it over, do you smell gas out of the tailpipe? This would tell you you have fuel. If you don't smell it you either have a problem with fuel delivery or no power to the computer. Locate the fuel rail, it runs along the top of the lower section of the intake manifold on top of the motor in a "U" shape. Toward the rear there should be what looks like a tire valve. If you unscrew it and try it you should get fuel out under pressure. This means the fuel pumps are good. Check the ECC power relay and wiring just behind the air cleaner, the wires get crappy there. Check the fuel pump relay there too. You may be able to get a spark tester, it's basically a spark plug with a ground wire. Pull one of the plug wires off of one of the plugs and plug it into the spark tester (NAPA has these, among other places). Crank and see if the spark looks good, nice and blue and sharp.

Once you can narrow it down to a fuel or spark problem, or if you have both, a computer (ECC) problem, it will help.

 

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I have some time to spend with it tomorrow morning, and I'll investigate as you just said and report back if I need further assistance.

I suspect, myself, that it is a fuel delivery issue. That initial assessment is based mostly on the fact that as I crank it I can smell no fuel anywhere under the hood or out of the rear pipe.

I'll try the fuel rail item, look at the wiring for the fuel pump relay, and the fuel pump.

Could it also be a clogged fuel filter?

In any event, thanks for your help so far (and so quickly). I'll report back soon.

 

Well, I doubt a fuel filter would plug up that completely but maybe....

Turn your key on and see if the check engine light comes on. If the computer isn't getting power it wouldn't signal the injectors to open and you wouldn't get a fuel smell either. The check engine light would show that the computer is getting power though.

Try turning the key to "run" and listen for the fuel pump. It should run for just a couple of seconds to prime the system. If it doesn't it's a problem with the pump or power to the pump. You could try manually jumping across the pump relay (heavy terminals) to make the pump run. If you don't hear it hum, try tapping the bottom of the tank with a deadblow or rubber hammer. If you hear it buzz a little real sick and stop it's probably the pump...

 

Thanks for the 'walk through' so far. Went outside at lunchtime (I work at home/telecommute sometimes) and played with the truck some. OK...

* I turned the ignition to 'on' and located the shrader valve on the fuel rail. Opened the cap, pressed on the valve stem with a pen (that I knew I'd never use again), and fuel 'sprayed' out. I assume it's not 'residual' fuel as it seemed like it was actually under pressure. Now I only did it for like a second (I didn't want fuel all over the place), but it seemed fine.

* When switching the ignition to on, I detected easily the 'hum' from under the hood which I assume was one of the fuel pumps.

* I also noted that the 'check engine' light came on.

* I also made sure the intertia switch was OK (which since the pump was on, obviously was... but checked anyway).

Based on the above first two items, I assume that the fuel pump(s) are OK. I think I read there are two on this vehicle? I know I heard the front one, and the fuel was under pressure (can the back one still be bad?... I hope not b/c the tank is about 2/3 full which would equate to about 160 pounds of fuel and make the tank hard to lower for me... I'd have to have it towed somewhere which I'd like to avoid).

And based on the third item I assume the 'brain/EEC-IV' is at least getting power.

Now I didn't have time (had to go back to working) to go farther... but logically next based on what you've said so far, I guess next I should...

* Check the 'spark'... I can pull the plugs and check for that (I've done it before with insulated gloves holding a plug to a ground point on a block on a different car, I assume it'd work again here).

* Check other electrical items? (I guess the fuel pump relay is OK since the pump hummed?). EEC relay? Other wiring items? Should I try to 'pull codes' from the system with a paper clip (again, done that on other cars before).

At this point I hope it's something 'dumb' and easy like the plugs... keep be guided and I'll keep updating... I really appreciate it.

By the way, I should add... when trying to start, the last FEW times, it cranks and actually 'stumbles' or sounds like it ALMOST catches... it just never quite gets there.