1976 Ford Bronco IGNITION

REVANS214

MEMBER
1976 FORD BRONCO

Electrical problem
1976 Ford Bronco V8 Four Wheel Drive Manual? Miles

Prior to having my Bronco shipped, I removed an aftermarket stereo for theft reasons. Now it won't start. I have not put the radio back in, but could this be the cause? Could the installer have wired the stereo to the ignition?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

In 1976, the stereo had nothing to do with the ignition. Are you getting spark and fuel to the engine? Is the starter working?

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Friday, October 23rd, 2009 AT 11:08 AM

REVANS214

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2 POSTS

Yes. It cranks over like it wants to start, but when the key is released to the "RUN" position, it just dies. My thought was that BEST BUY or CIRCUIT CITY, can't remember who, when they installed the stereo, they might have wired the stereo to the ignition or something. That is the only thing I can think of, but I have not re-installed since then, so I don't really know

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Friday, October 23rd, 2009 AT 1:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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109,709 POSTS

There really isn't anything they could have done. At least as far as I can think of. Since the starter is working, are you getting spark and fuel to the engine?

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Friday, October 23rd, 2009 AT 1:27 PM

REBOOM

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6 POSTS

Hello, on older cars they had a ballist resister on them. It would be on the fire wall under the hood in front of driver side. It is white about 1/2 inch by about 4 inches long. I had the same problem on my car. I turned the key and it wanted to start but when I let go of key it died. Good luck.

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Monday, November 2nd, 2009 AT 4:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

Wow! It's been awhile since 76, but they did have the resister. Chrysler really had trouble with them in the early 70's. The resister is bypassed when the key is in the start position allowing more power to go to the ignition for cold starts. Once the key is released, then the power went through the resister to cut the power down. It helped prevent premature ignition failure. Now keep in mind, if the engine fires when in the start position then dies in run, this could be a very likely resolution to the problem.

Thanks to reboom for getting some of the cobwebs from my brain.