At a loss. 1988 bronco 2

[1988B2]

Ok I have recently purchased a 1988 bronco 2 with a 2.9l auto trans. I recently I was driving it down the interstate it was running fine and just stalled out. I pulled to the side of the road and tried to restart it and got nothing,I immediately started troubleshooting checking for any signs (loose connections,vacuum hoses) and find nothing I go try to restart it and it cranks right up,but only runs a few seconds. finally, I realized that the longer it sat and cooled the longer it will run. It has a surging idle on startup but when it gets warm shows no sign of trouble till you drive down the road. I have replaced both fuel pumps, filters ,fuel lines ,ignition module battery alternator O2 sensors and cleaned air idle control but I'm at a loss! Please help, thanks!!

 

[Hagan]

I think that's classic signs of a bad tfi? Did you have yours tested?

Also, did you pull the codes?

 

[adsm08]

That is classic TFI behaviour, but he said he replaced the ignition module.

 

[1988B2]

Re

I don't have an obd1 tool to pull codes yet,saving up to buy one lol.but arent the tfi and the ignition module one and the same correct me if I'm wrong I'm still learning ??

 

[Hagan]

Yes I believe they are the same Ecm/TFI. I have been researching a lot about them (My fullsize Bronco is having issues) and from my research Motorcraft is the only Brand to buy. All other brands are cheap and will fail soon.

To test codes you should only need a piece of wire. There should be something in the tech library about it. I'll see if I can find it. You will have to count the number of flashes as the check engine light flashes.

I believe the TFI fails because of heat. When it gets hot it fails and you lose spark. I was told you can have it tested. If when it happens...check for spark.

I'm very bad at diagnosing stuff and I hope I'm not misleading...adsm08 will hopefully correct me if I'm wrong (He knows his stuff!)



This is the link on how to pull the codes
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.shtml

 

[1988B2]

.

Ok I will try and find some codes if you can get me some more info on that and how to do it please and also I don't know if it helps or not but there is no check engine light on in the dash? And it could be a failure in a cheap replacement part I bought that module about 2 weeks ago from oreillys an I think it was a bwd product where can I get master craft brand parts other than a dealership?

 

[wildbill23c]

Here are a couple links that may help you with the TFI / OBD-1 troubleshooting

TFI Link:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TFI_Diagnostic.shtml

OBD-1 Link:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.shtml
OBD-1 2 Digit Code Chart:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2digitcodes.shtml
OBD-1 3 Digit Code Chart:
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/3digitcodes.shtml

 

[BlackBII]

When it dies and will not start, is it not getting spark? Or is it not getting fuel?

 

[BLOODBANE]

Does that year have that stupid little sensor thats on the distributor? I know the one on my 84 went out years ago, and when it got warmed up, it would kill the engine like you were shutting it of with the key. Let it cool down and it would fire right up. Just dont remember when they stopped using them....