engine starts by jump, but eventually dies

iwishihad1 · 05-08-2006, 06:03 PM

hey everybody

well me and 2 friends found a 95 ford bronco 2 for 200 bucks being sold. a small tree fell across it, and broke out 2 windows, but other then that its in great shape for only 200 bucks. but we found a problem. it starts with a jump, runs, and eventually dies, and wont start unless jumped. ive heard alternator, battery, and carberator. any otherthings i should look into... this things goin doorless, chopped top, lifted, wheels, and were gonna wheel it till it dies, and not have to worry about damaging out daily drivers

Andrew F · 05-08-2006, 06:29 PM

I would start with the battery. It's probally the easiest to check. Either swap in a battery you know works or get it tested at a auto parts store or a shop. From there I would go to the alternator, you can get that tested also.

**Bgeddes** · 05-08-2006, 06:52 PM

I don't think a '95 Bronco II would have a carburator. As far as I recall all the B2s after '90 were EFI.

fried_gold · 05-08-2006, 07:15 PM

Sounds like a dead cell in the battery so I agree, start by checking or swapping the battery

iwishihad1 · 05-08-2006, 08:33 PM

i thought the battery only had to do with getting it started, but from there on electrical things like starter, alternator, and battery didn't matter.. forgive my ignorance

fried_gold · 05-08-2006, 09:17 PM

You're right, and I don't know how it works, but I had a dead cell and it acted just like that. Had to jump it off, it kept dying and needed jumped off again etc. It may not be a dead cell but it sounds a lot like it and the battery is the easiest thing to check by doing a quick swap

**Jerry Bransford** · 05-08-2006, 11:01 PM

An engine with an alternator won't run with a dead battery. Only older cars with generators could run without the battery.

The alternator cannot produce any power at all... zero, nada... unless it is getting a 12 volt "exciter" voltage from the battery. If the battery is dead, the alternator can't produce power because it's not getting its exciter voltage from the battery so your engine won't get any spark.

Replace the battery.

Jermy01 · 05-09-2006, 10:45 PM

i had the same thing happen to my jeep, but it ended up being the alternator. took it into pep boys (i know i know, but it was the closest place)....they tested it and said it was good. took it to my real shop after i couldn't find anything else wrong and he rebuild the alternator because there was too much oil and dirt in the alternator.

rouxbicon · 05-10-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bgeddes

I don't think a '95 Bronco II would have a carburator. As far as I recall all the B2s after '90 were EFI.

Probably meant '85, since B2's ended after '89, and were basically replaced by the Explorer in '90.

iwishihad1 · 05-10-2006, 06:37 PM

ok.. so i got a brand new battery from my house tonight and we went out and it fired right up, ran great for about 2 mins. reved from idle up to close to limiter with no sputtering. then all of a sudden it started to bog, and died, after that it wouldn't start. it does this every time it sits for a while. any ideas now??

**smartshot** · 05-11-2006, 11:12 AM

just wondering did you check your fuel pump, fuel filter, coil wire?

Hunter9 · 05-11-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

An engine with an alternator won't run with a dead battery. Only older cars with generators could run without the battery.

The alternator cannot produce any power at all... zero, nada... unless it is getting a 12 volt "exciter" voltage from the battery. If the battery is dead, the alternator can't produce power because it's not getting its exciter voltage from the battery so your engine won't get any spark.

Replace the battery.

x2 just had this exact problem, bought a yellow top and away I went.

iwishihad1 · 05-11-2006, 05:48 PM

smartshot.. were thinking fuel pump right now. it gets PLENTY of gas for 1-2 mins, then just bogs and dies out. how are we supposed to check that

thanks

BluesMan · 05-11-2006, 06:41 PM

Had this happen in a 68 Firebird - Alternator

iwishihad1 · 05-11-2006, 06:53 PM

i dont understand what an alternator has to do with this though. thats what a bunch of people keep telling me, but i just dont see how that could be it, i kind of understand what an alternator does, but not fully