Hi ! I have a bronco II 2.9v6.1986. up until a few days ago it was running fine, then i jumped in turned the key and it turned over but would not start. I listened to see if the fuel pumps were priming but heard nothing and when i checked the shraeder valve on the fuel rail there was no fuel in the rail(no pressure as it didnt spurt out at 40psi as i expected). then i turned the key again and bingo started up.it ran ok for maybe 6 more starts then same again no fuel pumps!!!

Left it for a day and went to start it and it ran fine till I stopped in town and went to start it, this time not only no fuel pumps but no turn over. after several attempts and alot of oaths it started with no help from me. It was dead no turn over at all, there was the click from the starter relay there is a new fully charged battery. I was told that it was the starter relay so i replaced it and excitedly turned the key to go out and nothing same as before no pumps no turn over what the heck is wrong is it the ignition, is it loose wiring, ive checked through some of the wiring but being 18 years old and im the 11th owner its a bit messy.

Im trying my best to rebuild this truck back to an offroad and on road fun vehicle but there seam to be many hitches at the moment as I also have a bad bearing in the rear prop shaft and no one in the uk can get me a new one so that is sounding as if it will break any day now so if anyone can give me pointers and clues to these problems i would be very great full...

Oh i can start the engine by putting a spanner across the 2 terminals on the starter relay!!! as long as the pumps are on.

And before you say pull the codes i live in the uk and there is no one who can do it for me and i dont know how as the diagram in the haynes for doing it doesnt look the same as my wiring in the engine bay . thanks for reading and i look forward to help...

 

I would start by cleaning all the battery cable connections. If you try to start it now do the interior lights dim when your trying to crank it?

 

All the cable connections are clean as i fitted the start relay today and checked them all then and as for your question about the interior lights diming, I cant tell you if they do as i had to take the bulbs out a while ago as they were causing a short which was draining the battery. I will be able to fit one tommorrow to see though, I know this is obvious but i will mention it anyway, when you turn the ignition as to crank the engine, i put my volt meter across the starter motor connectors and ther was no voltage at all.....

 

Just try starting it at night with the headlights on and see if they dim, must be dark by now there.

Based on the fact that it starts when you jump the solenoid stands out in my mind, either it's not working right or your not getting 12v to the small terminal when the ignition key is turned to the start position.

 

The solenoid is brand new in the truck today, (i take it the solenoid is the starter relay as that is what i am jumping) where is the small terminal, is it part of the ignition as that is were i think i will look next, I have had a little look there but someone has fitted an alarm themselves and not done a very good job of it.....

 

You should have a small wire running to the solenoid, this wire comes from the ignition switch and activates the solenoid with 12v.