Notices
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1994 Bronco won't start: could it be PCM problem?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2026 | 10:12 AM
  #1  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
1994 Bronco won't start: could it be PCM problem?

I am still trying to revive my 94 Bronco and so far I can only run it with starting fluid: if I keep spraying, it will keep running; if I stop, it will stop.

The fuel pressure is normal (around 40 psi). So the problem seems to point to the fuel injectors.

I checked the power to the fuel injectors: both leads are high (+12V) even when I crank. I also checked with an oscilloscope and found no pulse. So there is no power goes to the injectors.

Could this be the PCM problem? Is there any simple test to verify before I take it out? I did replace the PCM/capacitors once before.

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2026 | 07:54 PM
  #2  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
Does the fuel pump prime for a couple seconds and then shut off or is it run constantly?
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 05:55 AM
  #3  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
Does the fuel pump prime for a couple seconds and then shut off or is it run constantly?
The fuel pressure gauge shows constant pressure (40 psi) all the time. Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 07:32 AM
  #4  
manicmechanic007's Avatar
manicmechanic007
Hotshot
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 2,633
From: Near Salt Lake City
Club FTE Silver Member

How about a "noid" light test?
What dies the noid light do?
Sure, the processor can be the fault, it controls the timing as well as the injector on time.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 09:23 AM
  #5  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
Originally Posted by WhyFord
The fuel pressure gauge shows constant pressure (40 psi) all the time. Thanks!
That is not what I asked. Let me try this again….Turn the key from OFF to RUN: Does the fuel pump run for a couple seconds and then shut off or not?
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 09:34 AM
  #6  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
That is not what I asked. Let me try this again….Turn the key from OFF to RUN: Does the fuel pump run for a couple seconds and then shut off or not?
I just checked: the fuel pump runs for a couple of seconds then shut off. Does this mean it's the PCM problem? Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 09:37 AM
  #7  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by manicmechanic007
How about a "noid" light test?
What dies the noid light do?
Sure, the processor can be the fault, it controls the timing as well as the injector on time.
Yes, oscilloscope can see it even better: no pulse no power to the injectors.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 10:50 AM
  #8  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
The timer inside the ECM/PCM to shut off the fuel pump is working as designed. There should be power to the injectors and the computer grounds the circuit to “fire” the injectors. I’d say something is wrong with the computer. Hopefully someone will chime in with how to verify that the computer is getting the information it needs to determine when to turn on the injectors.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 11:07 AM
  #9  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
The timer inside the ECM/PCM to shut off the fuel pump is working as designed. There should be power to the injectors and the computer grounds the circuit to “fire” the injectors. I’d say something is wrong with the computer. Hopefully someone will chime in with how to verify that the computer is getting the information it needs to determine when to turn on the injectors.
There should be some conditions that must be met before the ECM/PCM can pulse the injectors. That's why I think there should be some easy ways to fool the ECM/PCM to think those conditions are met and start pulsing. When it doesn't, we know it's faulty. I think that's how those refurbish shop test them after refurbishment to make sure everything works. The reason I started this thread to see if anybody knows. Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 11:27 AM
  #10  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
The signal from the PIP lets the computer know the engine is running. What wire that is at the PCM connector on your truck, I don’t know. I have wiring for my ‘89 but that’s it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 11:45 AM
  #11  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
The signal from the PIP lets the computer know the engine is running. What wire that is at the PCM connector on your truck, I don’t know. I have wiring for my ‘89 but that’s it.
It's inside the distributor. I did replace the distributor a while back when the car was still running. I will double check. Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 02:13 PM
  #12  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
Originally Posted by WhyFord
It's inside the distributor. I did replace the distributor a while back when the car was still running. I will double check. Thanks!
Once again….not what I said.

What pin at the PCM connector is the PIP signal?
 

Last edited by My4Fordtrucks; Mar 6, 2026 at 02:15 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 03:55 PM
  #13  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by My4Fordtrucks
Once again….not what I said.

What pin at the PCM connector is the PIP signal?
So it's not the pins going to the distributor?
 
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2026 | 10:30 PM
  #14  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
The PIP signal is pin 56 (Gray/Orange wire) at the PCM for the 1994 Bronco. The OP didn't mention if they have the 5.0L or the 5.8L, but fortunately the PIP signal is the same pin and wire color for both.

Since the OP is getting spark at the correct time since it runs with starting fluid, I don't think the Profile Ignition Pickup from the distributor is likely to be the issue since that also controls the coil via the ignition control module. But, to My4FordTrucks' point, if that signal is not making it to the PCM, it could be a harness issue. If it IS making it to the PCM, then the further supports there may be a PCM issue.

WhyFord, did you replace the capacitors in the PCM or did you send it out to have it done? And to clarify, in your original post you stated that you have 12V on both leads of the fuel injectors, but you also mentioned the injectors are not getting power. Is that what you meant, or do you mean that they are not getting trigger/pulse? If they have 12V, they are getting power. While you're probing at the PCM, you should also check the Tan wire at pin 58 (Injector bank 1) and the white wire at pin 59 (injector bank 2) relative to power to see if you get an active low injector pulse from the PCM.

For reference, here's what the PIP signal looks like on my 1995 Bronco 5.8L.

1998 Bronco ignition plots
1998 Bronco ignition plots


-Rod
 

Last edited by shorod; Mar 6, 2026 at 10:36 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2026 | 08:29 AM
  #15  
WhyFord's Avatar
WhyFord
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
Thank you very much, shorod! I will check all those and let you know.

Yes, what I meant is the injectors get 12V at both ends so no voltage differential/no power. I probably replaced the PCM before since I saw handwritten numbers/letters on it the last time I replaced the capacitors in it. It's been a long time so I forgot the exact story already.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:16 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE