'85 Bronco XLT... The curse!!!!

This thing is just cursed to never run again. Ok, here is everything I have done to this thing in the last month...

- new spark plugs (Autolites gapped to .045)
- FRPP 9mm plug wires
- new coil
- new cap and rotor
- new distributor
- new ignition control module
- new neutral safety switch
- timing is good at 12* advance
- engine has a good solid ground
- new battery terminals and new battery wires
- all new engine relays

yet despite all this....

IT STILL HAS NO SPARK!!!!

I'm baffled! I'm just so confused as to what the issue could be. Why doesn't it have spark??? It's nickel and diming me to death yet still not running and my wife is looking at getting fired cause tomorrow will make the 3rd straight day that she just hasn't been able to get to work. If anyone has any clue what the issue could be, please help us out. We have to have this thing running!

You have to trace it back

Do you have power to the dist?
Are you getting power from the coil?
Lots of places to check.

Just have to trace it

Its carbed so there isnt much. Coil, control module and distributor. Its rare but the pickup in the distributor can go bad. But what will said. check for power

I think I just have a really bad short somewhere. I'll check the entire system starting at the ends and working my in and get no power anywhere. Then I'll just randomly turn it over and it'll fire. It'll idle for 3 seconds and die. Then right back to having no spark but this time, I'll get power to the distributor and nothing else. Then when I turn the engine over, I lose all power to everything again. It's very weird.

If it runs and stops seems like ign relay bad ground.

TT_05_Stang wrote:If it runs and stops seems like ign relay bad ground.

I tried to explain this to Bryce, but no dice

Lone Star wrote:

TT_05_Stang wrote:If it runs and stops seems like ign relay bad ground.

I tried to explain this to Bryce, but no dice

James, I put two different new relays in that spot and even replaced the ground wire. It has a very solid and healthy connection. I tried that last weekend as one of the first things. That has been long eliminated as being the issue.

I hope you figure it out soon.

Me too!

I'm trying to remember, but does it have the TFI on the side of the disty? If so, that can cause a no spark, usually due to the pickup going bad in the disty...

No, it's mechanical pickup and vacuum advance. It has a hot box on the driver's side fender instead.

hot box....Ignitor? check ur coil. Those things can go bad. check ur pickup. and double triple check all the wirring.. How is a 85 bronco giving you so much crap when you have ur focus....With much more crap to go wrong.

Wasn't this running before you put the msd box on?

chrisverneuil wrote:hot box....Ignitor? check ur coil. Those things can go bad. check ur pickup. and double triple check all the wirring.. How is a 85 bronco giving you so much crap when you have ur focus....With much more crap to go wrong.

Hot Box = Ignition control module. It's an old school term.

It has a brand new coil and distributor on it. The pickup is fine as well. I've already quadruple checked all the wiring. I see no reason it shouldn't have spark.

TT_05_Stang wrote:Wasn't this running before you put the msd box on?

It doesn't have an MSD box, just OEM replacement.

I can come over this weekend and give you a hand. All week I am working late in DC