left me stranded...

[Broncology]

Ok, was driving home the other night and the old bronc just gave up and died on me. I was on the interstate doing around 65 and suddenly lost all power and the engine shut off. Lights, radio, wipers, etc. still worked. I tried to start it a few times once I got it to the shoulder. It cranks very strong, right up to the point it should fire up. What seems to be the problem? I am thinking it may be the coil, is this correct?

Chuck

 

[BRONCOchild]

coil could be the problem!! good luck with that. i've had the same situation happen to me. I was running standard points for a caburated engine and then decided to opt out points.

 

[zeeman1]

you out of gas?
could be a lot of things......

 

[blubuckaroo]

Check the basics. Pump accelerator to see if fuel squirts in the carb then check for spark.
If it just flat out quit suddenly it should be easy to troubleshoot.

 

[sprdv1]

I hate it when that shit happens..

 

[don93063]

If coil checks out ok, check the rotor or maybe the fuel pump died.

 

[abrush]

You have to either be missing spark or fuel. I would check those two basics before changing anything.

 

[JoeLat]

Happened to me once and it was my fuel tank selector. It clogged up so no matter which tank I chose it wouldn't supply fuel.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Chuck,
You have a '77 with Duraspark ignition? Get a new module. If that's not the problem you need a spare anyway.

 

[trlblazr]

The only time mine let me down was when a pin sheared off in the distributor.

 

[Broncology]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'll be checking into it later today now that I finally have time. Hopefully its a simple solution. %)

Chuck

 

[cgbexec]

An engine only needs two things to run (provided everthing is set up correctly).

As mentioned above: they are Fuel & Spark.

If you are getting a nice clean spark at each plug, then it is most likely your fuel pump when out or you have a blockage in the fuel system somewhere.

A complete failure at highway speeds is unlikely an accelarater pump in the carb.

 

[cgbexec]

If you are not getting spark, then it is likely the coil or the ignition module.

 

[broncotom81]

Ignition Module will get you everytime - until its happened to you once before

tom talalaj
These old trucks have very INexpensive ignition control modules. Buy one once you have determined it is not an air or fuel problem. Check the dumb stuff like the coil, and even if it is not it, carry one in the glove box. In one of my experiences, it would have avioded a 200mile tow.
Thomas Talalaj

 

[blubuckaroo]

If you have a stock coil they have a bellows built into the bottom of the can.
Every coil I've had go out has had that bellows popped out.

 

[mr incredible]

An engine only needs two things to run (provided everthing is set up correctly).

As mentioned above: they are Fuel & Spark.

If you are getting a nice clean spark at each plug, then it is most likely your fuel pump when out or you have a blockage in the fuel system somewhere.

A complete failure at highway speeds is unlikely an accelarater pump in the carb.

dont forget the air!!!!! but that prolly aint the problem ... ignition .... check spark first .....

 

[cgbexec]

dont forget the air!!!!! but that prolly aint the problem ... ignition .... check spark first .....

Mr. Incredible,

I didn't forget the air, but I didn't figure that someone crawled up under his hood at 60 MPH and duct-taped his air cleaner off.

 

[DonsBolt]

The same thing happened to me this past summer. Cruisin down the highway and it just died.

In my case the fuel pump let go on me. Now I carry a spare with me.

 

[ronco]

Thomas Talalaj

Tom Talalaj,
Thanks for the advice about checking the coil. Seriously it helped. REALLY??? That small of a problem is what lead to a 200 mile tow. Man alive! I'll be sure to always carry an extra in the glove box, I sure as heck wouldn't want that to happen to me!

 

[broncosRULE]

tom talalaj
These old trucks have very INexpensive ignition control modules. Buy one once you have determined it is not an air or fuel problem. Check the dumb stuff like the coil, and even if it is not it, carry one in the glove box. In one of my experiences, it would have avioded a 200mile tow.
Thomas Talalaj

Thomas Talalaj,
if you don't mind me asking, how much did that tow set you back???