ANY ELECTRICAL WIZARDS?

[Robert Evans]

Hi everyone, I have a 76 that has been laid up in the garage for three years. Not for lack of wanting to work on it, just time and money. Before moving to SLC, Utah in 2004, I was stationed in Virginia with the USN and the beast ran fairly strong. The only thing added by someone other than myself was an aftermarket CD/Stereo at BestBuy I think. Still ran like a champ, but when I got ready to retire and have it shipped, I pulled the radio and ever since, it won't stay running. It will crank over like it wants to start, but then immediately die. Currently, the battery is DEAD and I actually haven't put the radio in to test this theory, but is there any way the radio not being installed could be the culprit? Any assistance is appreciated.

Robert

 

[Traffic Tony]

Sounds like the ignition switch or the wiring to the switch is messed-up. Try hot wiring the ignition at the solenoid and then start the motor, if it runs this confirms the coil is not getting juice from the ignition switch.

 

[Traffic Tony]

I have attached electrical prints if you need them;

 

[Robert Evans]

Thanks...I'll try that

 

[Yardape]

You said the battery is dead? How were you cranking it over? Were you boosting it? Try installing a new battery or one you can guarantee is in good shape. Try and start, if it runs, then unhook the battery while running, if it shuts down then your alternator is done. Let me know how you make out.

 

[Robert Evans]

Naw...it's dead now. When this was happening, it had a fairly new battery in it. It's dead now from tryin to crank it over. It seemed at the time like it wanted to start, but when the key is released back to the "run" position, it simply dies. So there it is...

 

[stepchild]

I'm not even sure it's electrically related and if it was I wouldn't think removing the radio would cause you to have the grimlins your having, especially since the starter actually cranks the motor over. If you are certain it's electrically related I would check out your charging system although I don't beleive this is your issue either, Maybe check out your ground. Are you sure your getting fuel? May just be a fuel filter!

 

[Cmprice]

I'm not even sure it's electrically related and if it was I wouldn't think removing the radio would cause you to have the grimlins your having, especially since the starter actually cranks the motor over. If you are certain it's electrically related I would check out your carging system although I don't beleive this is your issue either, Maybe check out your ground. Are you sure your getting fuel? May just be a fuel filter!

the radio wouldnt affect it..it just has two hot wires going to it..one when the ignition is on and one when its off..unless they spliced into your ignition for the source of the feed and maybe ripped some wires when uninstalling

 

[66 New 351w]

Hi everyone, I have a 76 that has been laid up in the garage for three years. Not for lack of wanting to work on it, just time and money. Before moving to SLC, Utah in 2004, I was stationed in Virginia with the USN and the beast ran fairly strong. The only thing added by someone other than myself was an aftermarket CD/Stereo at BestBuy I think. Still ran like a champ, but when I got ready to retire and have it shipped, I pulled the radio and ever since, it won't stay running. It will crank over like it wants to start, but then immediately die. Currently, the battery is DEAD and I actually haven't put the radio in to test this theory, but is there any way the radio not being installed could be the culprit? Any assistance is appreciated.
Robert

The radio itself won't be the problem, however depending how the wiring goes to the coil or a pulled or shorted wire is most likely the culprit.

You should have a 12 volt positive wire to the coil to start and most likely another coming form or through the resistor that the Bronco runs on.

 

[Seabronc]

If it starts when you are holding the key in "START" and then dies when you return the key to the "RUN" position you have a problem with that connection to the ignition. It could be caused by the ignition switch or the wire to the ignition which may have been accidentally disconnected when you removed the radio. Perhaps it was used as the source for 12V to the radio.

Good luck,

>-

 

[sc00ter]

put a test light on the + terminal of the ignition coil with the key in run. does it light up? How about if the key is turned to start? If it lights up trying to start but not in run you likely have a problem with your ballast resistor (it is bypassed when cranking) if ther'es no power to the coil ever, start tracing your wiring to positive, and find the open. If you have power to the coil in run and start, put the testlight on the negative and see if your distributer/ignition module are firing the coil (the light should flash when cranking- if its on the negative terminal) once you've verified that you can look into spark at the actual plugs and then check timing. Once you've done all that look into fuel delivery- spray some carb cleaner or prime the carb w/ gas and see if it lights right up- then you need to look into carb or fuel pump. I hope that helps and isn't too much.