1988 Bronco II shuts off all of a sudden lately

[tmgrant]

I have a 1988 Bronco II and lately it has shut off on me several times. Usually it will not start back after driving for a while, I wait 15 minutes or so and it goes again. (note: engine turns over fine) But lately, twice, it has quit while running, again after driving long enough to get hot. Again, wait 15 minutes or so and it goes again. Just a side note, for some time now, the fuel gauge has been intermittent and doesn't work about 75% of the time, however this problem started well before the "dying issue." Any help on this matter will be appreciated.

[skfury440]

Sounds like an ignition problem. Have you checked for spark when this happens?

[clem]

Do you have a tach? If so does it move when you go to crank it over? If it doesn't move it maybe an ignition module. Thats how I knew when mine went, but my tech was not factory,I don't know if that makes differance or not. Heck I'm not sure if I helped at all.

[Godzilla9992]

It sounds like the Ignition module is getting hot and quitting on you. You can take it to most any parts house and get it checked, be sure they check it several times, cause mine checked good the first three times, then finally showed its true colors.

FYI- There is a special tool for getting at those little screws on the module. It looks like a short nut driver.

[skfury440]

Yeah the ignition modules are sensitive to heat no matter what kind of car you're talking about. We had your exact problem happen in our '78 Eldorado Biarritz and had to have it towed home. Took the distributor apart and a faulty ignition module was the culprit. The older they get the weaker they are and on a hot day normal driving can make them give way. Replacing that should fix your problem.

[clem]

The little tool Godzzila9992 speaks of is really a 5.5mm socket. Yes a 5.5mm! a7/32 socket should work but I bought the 5.5 from Ford. I also changed my screws after I took it off to S.H.C.S. (SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREWS) A.k.A allen head screws. I did this because it's easier to find an allen key than a 5.5mm socket.

[CBlue]

I posted this for another guy today. I recommend all Bronco II owners with 2.9's do this to avoid further annoyances.

Here goes-

I had this happen random for over a year and a half. 86 BII.

Always check the fuel pressure at rail. If your pressure is around 40 psi, your good for fuel.

Here was my fix. Took alot of time and money before I found the easy fix.

The TFI module on back of distributor is failing due to heat conduction from distributor.

I changed out multiple modules, yet still died at random times.

Here is the fix.
1. Pull off the module from back of distributor.
2. Go to radio shack and get two small heat sinks.. Cost about 50 cents each.
3. Mount the module to the fire wall using the heat sinks as spacers between. Apply the gel to get best conduction to the heat sinks. Air will pass around the module and heat sinks to reject the heat causing the module to fail.
4. The wiring... Make up extension wires with spade (male and female) ends to connect back to engine. I used larger spade connectors (female) and ground down the male ends to match size. You may find the correct ones available.

I never had a problem again, yet when ever I do have questions about TFI failures, It only takes a second to swap in the spare I keep in the tool bag.

Several mechanics had mentioned that the Taurus had a recall back in the 80's, which was corrected with this method. No kits were available, but this is easy to make as described.

Good Luck.