Hello All, [repost from "Engines"]

Ok I made a boo-boo. My Bronco is a 1996 5.8L. I was parked and reving my engine to figure out whether or not I had a bad engine mount when my engine just DIED. Check engine lit up but it was never ON before this incident. I had gas, fuel pump whines, checked fuel shutoff switch (if by some weird possiblity...) and replug my battery but my engine would only crank but not run. Had it towed to the dealership nearby. The Ford tech says that the ignition system failed; and his diagnosis is that the distributor and cap are worn, with a special note saying that the module stator is reading out a low voltage and needs to be fixed. I replaced the cap 4 months ago at Pepboys.

The problem is I have an MSD, coil, wires, and 6A ignition system, and they refuse to touch my car until all aftermarket parts are replaced by OEM, or they replace it themselves and I pay for it. The tech was smart enough to just unplug the 6A (revert to factory) and retest it but my car still refused to run (it still did crank), making me think that the MSD parts did not fail but rather made something else fail. Looking back now, I believe I could have over-rev'd my engine to over 5000 RPMs, a range that MSD says to politely not do with the 6A. The MSD system has been installed over a year ago.

What should I do? A couple of my friends who are mechanics at other dealerships (in other states) said to replace the factory ignition computer ? or module first (where is that called/located?). I never heard of a "module stator" but I am not sure I am competent enough to replace the distributor and do the TDC of Piston 1 with what sorry stuff I have in my toolbox... Can I replace the stator without removing the distributor? What sort of damage should I look for when inspecting the cap/distributor ? I am asking my friends to take me to the grocery store and work now. I appreciate any HELP. Thanks

 

Although, I don't know a whole lot about the MSD stuff. I do know that your engine has it's own rev & speed limiter's that are in the computer program and can not be changed unless you are running a chip. What I would suggest, is contact MSD OR look over your information that came with the MSD equipment and see if there is someway that you can remove the rev limiter on the 6A.

I am not sure about the 302 (5.0) OR 351 (5.8) but on my '87 300 I-6, I did have to replace a module that mounted on the side of the distributor. It was held on by a screw or two and it plugged into the side of it with a few pronges. That maybe where the low voltage is coming from. The back of the module had a steel back and so did the section that it mounted to on the distributor. It came with some grease of some sort that you had to put on for a good contact, I suppose. I can't remember what the cost on it was and I have never really checked my truck to see if there is one there but you could start there. I didn't have to take the distributor out of my '87 so I would suspect that it would be the same with our trucks.

I hope this helps and I am sure some other members will be along shortly with other ideas OR the correct solution for you should I be wrong with my thoughts.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Dean is referring to the TFI module, which in your truck is mounted below the drivers side hood hinge. It could be the cause, but I would test it first. Unfortunately, a specific tester is required. Do you have any friends with good diagnostic equipment?