My 88 BroncoII project

[copperminer2002]

Hope this helps.

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

this helps alot i think the coil is shot gonna head out to the wrecking yard soon

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

okay sorry for no update for a couple of days i got a coil from the wrecker and i put it in still dont have spark and its been cold all week so i havent had a chance to mess with it gonna go tommorow and see what i can do anyone have and ideas of what i should be looking for to figure out my no spark issue

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

ignition module. it goes out alot and when it does there is no spark anywhere.

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

where is that located???
okay i found where it was and could just unplug it and plug another one and see if that makes a difference without having to unbolt it off the distributer??

i found this http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/remote_tfi.htm it says to make a cover could i just not keep it on and rewire it and locate it to the inner fender.

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

no you cant just plug in a new one and leave the old one on. as it has 3 terminals that plug into the distributer. i belive the relocation has to do with the heat transfer issues, personaly seems to be more work than its worth to just get the truck running but if thats what you want to do more power to ya. the one thing that is a pain in the ass about them is that you need a thin walled socket to remove the 2 bolts that hold it on. the tech page says that its a 7/32 and that you can only use that special tool. but thats not true, i picked up a deep socket from auto zone and had no problems using it. ive also seen them held on by a torx head bolt, not sure which one is more common. but once the 2 blots are removed it should slide straight down and the new one will slide straight up in. but be sure to coat the metal surface that rests agenst the distributer with an electric conductive grease. otherwise it will burn out agin.

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

i dont have spark at the coil to the distributer wire does that rule out the ignition module?

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

in my experiance no. im not sure why but for some reason each time ive had an ignition module go out it kills the spark from the coil.

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

ok so how hard is it to do? is it easier to do by removing the distributer

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

i dont think so. as the 2.9 upper intake kinda curls over the top of the distributor. its best to just reach in behind it and fight those 2 bolts out then push it down to seperate the 3 terminals from the distributor, then all thats left is that 6? wire plug that goes to the ignition module. after its out you just gotta put a new one in.

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

should i get a new one or a junk yard one

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

last time i got one it was about $40 new and the first one was crap. (auto zone shit) if you get a JY one i would grab 2 or 3 of them since they do tend to go out alot.

 

[master hec0]

i would rather buy junkyard since new and used ones seem to fail equally. been through about 4-5 in a year. i had a junkyard one in my truck when i swapped distributors but it failed in traffic and had one i bought from napa sitting around.
just keep extras you will need them. also i had since returned the napa one 3 times. also it is easier to remove the tfi vs pulling the whole distributor plus if you pull the dizzy you will mess your timing up.

 

[1988Rangerxlt]

so do i just try and get in there and change it or do i remove anything

 

[master hec0]

just reach around the back of the dizzy (distributor) and you should be able to reach the 2 bolt holes from each side of your bronco they are either a 7mm or a special security torx. i have only ran in to the security torx once on an 88. anyways just get your 7mm in there and the smallest ratchet you have. a palm ratchet would be nice but not needed. 1/4 inch ratchet 7mm deep socket a lot of stretching. also when removing/installing those 7mm bolts putting grease in the socket helps to make sure they don't fall out. and clean off all the white crap from the back of the dizzy and remember to put new dialectic grease on the tfi before installing.

EDIT: it might not be a 7mm deep socket it might actually be 7/32 as listed above. i forgot i changed my bolts to longer ones with washers so i didn't need to use a deep socket to get at them anymore so mine are 7mm but not factory bolts.
also if the deep socket does not fit try and file down the side walls a bit to make it fit since i know some have thicker walls.