Engine Dies Suddenly

[ChrisC74]

Looking for suggestions. A buddy bought a bronco a few weeks ago. Very nice bronco, owner restored and had it for years. All records. Very clean, neat and tidy wiring, etc...

Has a mustang engine and mustang fuel injection. Has a rail mounted pump, 23 gallon tank, still has electronic tank switching valve, has a small hole already drilled in gas tank from a previous attempt at not having fuel come out of the cap but was fixed years ago by the install of a charcoal canister and purge solenoid.

Truck will be running fine then just die. Will not restart until it has sat for 20 or 30 minutes.

Have swapped out fuel pump and it does not seem like a fuel pump issue.

Any thoughts on what to test or trouble shoot when the problem occurs? It is intermittent, does not have a set time that it happens, might not happen for a week...

I have not been able to see the truck in an inop situation and it always starts again before AAA gets there.

Owner does not have a lot of hands on mechanical experience but loves this bronco and wants to learn.

Suggestions welcome.

-Chris

 

[cleanportland]

My first guess would be fuel filters clogging.

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[75MIKE]

Does he have an extra coil he could try? They can break down when hot and shut off until they cool a bit.

 

[36Fan]

TFI maybe.

 

[needsmoarturbo]

I would investigate the tfi module as well. Possibly ignition coil. They will both drop out suddenly and come back after cooling a while.

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, X2 on check for spark when it dies.
I used to carry an extra TFI module with the little ratchet tool needed to change it. It is bolted to the side of the distributor.
You need the dilectric grease on the back of it.
And you need to clean the spot where it mounts on the distributor.
They are heat sensitive.
We used to grab the original Ford modules from the junkyard. Ford modules are far better then anything else.
It is probably worth just trying a new module. If it fixes the problem make sure to get a spare.
Good luck

 

[Revelation]

Had same issue on Chipper back in the day, PCV was causing the crankcase to go into a vacuum and would stall, would have to sit for 20 to 30 min and would crank right back up. Breather filter solved the issue.

 

[Crush]

If that box on the pass fender has the computer in it then the computer may be getting hot too.

 

[ChrisC74]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Gives us a starting point for sure.

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[SteveL]

When you try to start it is there any sputter or nothing? I haven't dealt with fuel injection much but if no sputter or anything I'm guessing electrical. You could try some heat shield on vulnerable components and narrow it down.

 

[ChrisC74]

When you try to start it is there any sputter or nothing? I haven't dealt with fuel injection much but if no sputter or anything I'm guessing electrical. You could try some heat shield on vulnerable components and narrow it down.

Thx. It cranks but no sputter. Seems like from the suggestions above electrical is the favorite. I hate intermittent problems and so far it has not happened when I can go see it on the side of the road.

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[ChrisC74]

Just wanted to close this out. Problem got so bad that we had to push it out of the garage. Put on the new TFI module and it fire up, ran smooth and seems to be good to go.

Thanks to all for the help.

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