Ford Bronco '91 won't start after warmed up...
So I have a beastly '91 Bronco and after I start it up
and run it for a few minutes, if I shut it off, it won't
restart again. It acts like the battery is weak and
won't crank the engine enough to start. My
mechanic says there is a dead spot where it gets
heavy to turn when he manually turned the crank,
suggested that there might me metal in there
somewhere inhibiting the crank....(BAD news if
true). Second opinion? Is there anything else it
could be? I love my mountain truck and It has alot
of aftermarket stuff and a 6" lift and has gotten me
anywhere and everywhere, but a major engine
repair like a rebuild probably puts this baby to bed
for me, as it's not nice enough for me to turn
around and invest a bunch money into it.
He just may be feeling the compression of the engine. He should have had all the spark plugs out doing that for a better feel. If there were any metal inside the engine, you probably would have noticed a noise coming from the engine. Have the battery checked.
You should have the starter checked. Sounds more like a starter if you have a new battery.
Yeah, I somewhat suspect the battery, however it is only 3 months old and has had no issues other times....the truck periodically will crank real slow, but still start- which is what I think leads him to believe there is something else going on... Almost like when it's parked those times, it's right in the heavy spot of the rotation. I'm going to test the battery tomorrow, and report back
New starter, too...
Yea but that is an old style starter, it should be load tested. I use to rebuild them and there fussy to get right. About the only other thing would be bad battery cables, or connections. Also check all ground wires that they have a good connection.
New battery cables, have to double check connection on ground....can auto parts shops load test a starter? Other than that the battery is the only other thing....not looking good....bummed.
Well don't give up yet, it also could be in the timing. So, most auto parts stores just put 12V to it and just see if the starter spins. Its a load test that tells the story. May have to call around to find someone capable.
So.... battery, cables, and ground are all good. Talked to my buddy again and he said he cranked the motor manually while hot AND cold, and there is a definite difference in the "heaviness" in one spot while hot....which he's convinced leads to something inside the motor. Bummer. That's it for this baby. Think I'm just gonna sell it to him, as I know he'll fix it up and at least she won't rot away in some yard somewhere. Shame, she had been a great toy....
By chance is that the 351M 400 engine? If it is... there boat anchors, they last only like 120,000 miles.
351Windsor....engine and trans rebuilt at 135,000. It's at 165,000 now. Still runs great, just doesn't start sometimes until it cools down.
I bet if you pulled that engine and freshened it up it wouldn't take much to do. I'm thinking a scored piston.
Yeah, I think I'm gonna let someone do all the work on this one. I only paid $4000.00 for it 5 years ago, it's taken me across country and back, and countless trips in the Sierra mountains. My buddy will take it off my hands for $1500.00 and fix it up. I live in Venice Beach CA and don't really have a place to do a major job like a motor rebuild....Thanks for all your help....when my buddy gets it opened up I'll post back here to let you know what exactly it was....I might try one last mountain trip before I sell it to him...
Great, like to know whats up with that motor, thanks.
I'm chasing a similar problem with starter/ staying started in my 87 5.8. Rebuilt alternator and ignition new battery. Heard it's a somewhat common problem. Did y'all ever hear of a specific issue that I can start chasing?
I have the same issue, 1990 bronco 4X with 5.8 351 Windsor. Truck will start every time cold. Once warmed up, even for as little as a minute or two, this truck will not restart. I can drive it all day and never has a problem. I can let it cool down from a few minutes to a half hour and it will start right up. I set the timing to 10o before TDC, rechecked with a timing light. Replace old with new (not rebuilt) starter. What is this ????? Bronco Graveyard has 20 posts asking the same thing and no answers???
Start a new post, you will get better results.
Check the grounds before anything else...very common on Fords. Then check battery, cable connections and cabling may even need replaced if shows signs of melting of warpage. My prior Bronco did same thing and thats what I did in addition to new battery. I now have same problem with my new 1990 Bronco after new engine install. Gonna do same and also use expanding foam to spray around starter using flashing piece to shape it somewhat. Small plastic pipe pieces cut and and placed over connections so as not to cover them. Black engine paint over foam then... Experiment yes, but headers run right beside it and aftermarket kits for it suck. Good Luck!
SOLVED !My buddy's got a 91 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer he's had all these issues you guys are talking about . replace this replace that. wasn't the battery .it's not the cables, not the fuel filter ,well as of yesterday he says he's got it fixed and the culprit was the starter motor ! replace with a new starter motor ,not a rebuilt. he thinks it may have something to do or had something to do with the heat from the exhaust pipes but he says he bought a new starter problems gone. Cost of repair. 100.00. lifetime warranty on starter motor
Only start cold; once the engine runs and I stop it will not start until it cools down; changed all new: plugs wire, spark plug, alternator, timing chain, timing cover, starter, battery, fuel injectors, air intake gasket, Only starts cold, 337-967-2055 text
