I have a 1991 bronco, and it wont stay running! It will start up, and stay running long enough to move quickly, but will just putter and die. after it dies it will not restart, it will turn over, but not start. if i let it sit for a while, it will start back up again, and do the same thing. does anyone have any help they could offer me? anything and everything is appreciated!


~Elkman

 

Try to pull the codes first to make sure there isnt a system fault the computer ids first, then you can get the next step. It is easier to address this way so that sensor's can be ruled out faster.

 

this may be kind of dumb, but what specific code am i looking for? this is the first trouble of this kind we have had with the truck in all the years of ownership, so i am slightly green to this issue.

 

The "codes" are information trouble codes stored in the Engine control unit aka computer, ECU, ECM. There are a few ways to get the computer to "read" the codes out to you. One way is the "paper-clip" method discribed in a haynes manual, FAQ to this sectionl, or at fordfuelinjection.com. I believe fordfuelinjection discribes this method very well as many people have used it to great success.

My experience has been with counting the flashes that show up either on the CEL light flashing or a reader. It takes a bit of practice to get use to reading the lights but longer pauses represent a new number, short pauses happen between the first and second digit. With a repeat of the numbers before moving from initial reading to continuous memory reading of trouble codes.

 

ok I will give this a try this weekend. I want to say that it could be a fuel pump, or injector/relay issue of some kind, because it has power everywhere, but dies like it is running out of fuel after a couple of minutes. there was also not a distinct event that caused it. I shut the truck off, and about a month later after I got home from school it was like this.

 

It could be, but the symptoms also point to the PIP. Just the best place to start is at the computer so as to avoid throwing money at the problem.

 

definetly. where is the best (cheapest) place/way to get a code reader that will do the job? also what is the PIP stand for on this truck?

 

Does it start with Ether sprayed in the intake? If so it's a fuel delivery problem, if not look to spark timing/compression. Tho if it was running and didn't sound like the timing chain broke then it's likely to be a spark problem. I had to rebuild the distributor on my 90 Bronco after it started acting up and then stopped altogether.

 

AutoZone will let you rent the tester for the full price, it gets refunded when you return the tester.

 

Ford Fuel Injection has instructions on doing this with out leaving the house using a paper clip and counting the flashes. some auto stores wont help ya like they used to.

 

it starts up, but it just does not stay running for more than a couple of minutes. it has plenty of compression, and there is no indication that the timing chain is broken. also, there is plenty of spark...we pulled the plugs and tested them all, and they work. g_k, what were the symptoms when your distributor went out?

 

It was acting like it was running out of fuel. It was intermitant. Stopped completely one time and had it towed back to the house. It started working again while I was troubleshooting the ignition system using a Haynes manual. It stopped a few days later and wouldn't start again. I had to rebuild the distributor down to the stator, used all new parts. Now it runs but still has power issues.