1988 Ford Bronco won't start, I think it is the wires aren't in right firing order, Help?
The spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor were replaced - brand new. The person who put them in wasn't a mechanic and he has poor vision. I think he may have put them in the wrong firing order. Also, the timing light wasn't used afterward to set the timing properly. I was told that should be done with a timing light and then the distributor cap should be tightened and bolted at the proper number (before (- or minus) 10 degrees Top Dead Center). Can someone who is a mechanic or skilled at working on Ford Broncos tell me if this could be the reason why the car won't turn over? The starter and the battery are good.
Jack2011-02-17T19:32:34Z
Favorite Answer
You say the engine will not turn over at all? How do you know the battery and the starter are good? Did your friend remove the battery cables from the battery? If so, make sure the positive (+) cable is clean from corrosion and tight on the battery post. Then, check the negative (-) cable is clean from corrosion and tight on the battery post. Turn your head lights on bright and see if they give off a bright light. You have to have enough amperage in the battery to turn the starter over. If your friend did not move the distributor, the timing should be ok unless your timing belt has slipped. I'm assuming you have a inline 6 cylinder engine. The spark plug gap is 0.044 inch The firing order (spark plug wires) should be on the manifold or block. It should be 1-5-3-6-2-4. The spark plugs run in numbers from the front of the engine to the rear of the engine. #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 . The distributor rotor turns clockwise. #1 should be between 2 and 3 o'clock on the distributor cap. Trace the #1 spark plug wire from the #1 spark plug to this location on the distributor cap. If this correct,mark the #1 hole on the distributor with white out paint (DO NOT MARK WITH A LEAD PENCIL); trace the spark plug wire from #5 spark plug to the right of #1 wire on the distributor cap; next trace the spark plug wire from #3 spark plug to the right of #5 wire on the distributor cap; next trace the spark plug wire from #6 spark plug to the right of #3 wire on the distributor cap; next trace the spark plug wire #2 spark plug to the right of #6 wire on the distributor cap; last one trace spark plug wire #4 spark plug to the right of #2 wire on the distributor cap. If all the above is correct, the engine should start. If not, remove the coil wire(the wire in the center of the distributor cap) for safety; remove the #1 plug; remove the distributor cap with the spark wires still connected; make sure the rotor button is all way down; with your thumb over the spark plug opening, have some one gently bunt the engine over either by turning the engine by hand or with the ignition switch. When you feel pressure moving your thumb away from the hole, stop turning the engine when the pressure is immediately done (This is called the compression stroke). Notice the position of the rotor button, the #1 wire on the distributor should match this same position. If not, place #1 wire in the correct hole and remark with white out paint and follow the wiring diagram as listed above. After all wires are in place (stay clear of moving parts) have some one turn the engine over while you are observing that the rotor is indeed turning. Reinstall the distributor cap and the coil wire.The engine should start. Good Luck
If the distributor itself was not removed from the engine or loosened, your timing will not be affected. The distributor cap is keyed and will only fit on the distributor one way - the rotor also cannot be installed backwards.
The only thing that could have been messed up is the wiring, and it sounds like it was. That certainly could cause the engine not to start. This is pretty easy to fix yourself. First, go to the following website to get the firing order for your year, make, model and engine size:
The diagrams should tell you where to connect all the wires. If you wanted to check this mechanically, do the following:
Pull out the front, passenger side spark plug (this is cylinder one on your engine). Have someone tap the starter (as briefly as possible) while you hold your finger over the hole - when you feel air shooting out this is the compression stroke and you want to get the piston as close to TDC as possible. You can look with a flashlight and see it when it's close. Now, the rotor will be pointing close to the number 1 terminal on the distributor cap.