Left key in on position all night, burned up something ...

[BGBronco]

Well, after a few glasses of wine, was screwing around with the bronco in the garage. Left key in On position all night, and now it won't start. I'm sure I fried something but can't figure out what. I'm not getting any spark.

I replaced the ignition coil, which I was planning on doing anyway, and that didn't solve the problem. Any ideas on where my point(s) of failure could be? Thank you.

 

[House]

Check the points. Literally.

 

[Skiddy]

Check the points. Literally.

yeah famous for doing that when the key is left on for a long time

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, If you have the original points and condenser change that and drink beer. Maybe a pertronix pale ale is for you. Good luck

 

[tmaddux911]

Starter solenoid

 

[sanndmann3]

the same thing happened to me (except for the wine...) coil got toasted.

 

[half cab]

yeah famous for doing that when the key is left on for a long time

Check the points. Literally.

What they said...B ron co to

 

[Broncobowsher]

Have points? change them. If they were on the edge of opening/closing they burned up.

Electronic ignition? good chance you cooked the module.

Solenoid will not be damaged by leaving the key on. I will say it is impossible to have damaged the starter solenoid by leaving the key on. There is nothing that could be damaged by leaving the key on all night.

I would say coil, but you already replaced that.

 

[Rustytruck]

Check the resistor wire from the ignition switch to the coil.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes to all. But you might as well check for voltage at the coil's positive terminal first. Nothing else will do any good until you at least verify that you're getting voltage with the key on.
It's possible to overheat the resistor wire, as Rusty was saying. So do that first, then move on down the line.

Paul

 

[grant_71]

And charge the battery ;D

 

[Cooter_76]

I did this same thing a few months ago. Replaced the coil, charged the battery and everything seemed fine. The next day the fusible link at the starter solenoid turned to ash. You might want to check that as well.

 

[cs_88]

Great opportunity to do a 351W swap!

 

[sanndmann3]

;D
LOL Why not?

Great opportunity to do a 351W swap!

 

[BGBronco]

Well, I have power at the ignition coil and checked the fuses. Still not starting.

I'm sorry for the ridiculous question but what 'all' of the components of the ignition system? My engine is a 302, carb, from an 84 Mustang.

At this point I guess I will just start replacing them until it starts.

 

[Broncobowsher]

OK, before replacing everything lets start with the basics.

Do you have points or electronic ignition? Not sure? How many low voltage wires are coming out of the distributor? Should be 1-3 wires.

Or even better, take the cap off and snap a picture of the inside of the distributor and post it. It is likely to be one of three options. 1 wire is probably points. 2 wires is probably a pertronix points eliminator. 3 wires is probably Ford Duraspark (but there were different versions of that system).

Until we know what you are working with we are just shooting darts in the dark (and hoping there is a dart board somewhere on the wall).

 

[blubuckaroo]

OK, before replacing everything lets start with the basics.

Do you have points or electronic ignition? Not sure? How many low voltage wires are coming out of the distributor? Should be 1-3 wires.

Or even better, take the cap off and snap a picture of the inside of the distributor and post it. It is likely to be one of three options. 1 wire is probably points. 2 wires is probably a pertronix points eliminator. 3 wires is probably Ford Duraspark (but there were different versions of that system).

Until we know what you are working with we are just shooting darts in the dark (and hoping there is a dart board somewhere on the wall).

Amen to that!
Replacing parts isn't troubleshooting.
In fact it can get you further from the solution.

 

[BGBronco]

I'm Duraspark. I'll take pics shortly. Thank you.

 

[BGBronco]

pictures

Pictures of ignition components.

 

[Broncobowsher]

5 is the voltage regulator
6 is the starter solenoid

1 is the ignition module, and it looks brand new. Did you replace that? You mentioned you replaced the coil (photo 2). Different years have different wiring. Putting the wrong module in would cause a no run condition.

That is a cobbled duraspark. Household wire nuts are not a sign of quality. It's going to take a moment to figure what's happening here. From the looks of the wiring it is completely possible that just moving something around disturbed a connection.