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Electrical issues can be difficult even for an experienced industrial electrician such as myself, but in my case the truck had been absolutely ruined by tweakers and mice eating up the wires.

In general, as long as everything under your hood is as it was when it left the factory, you will generally be ok. Engine computers rarely ever screw up. When they work correctly, they can self diagnose most issues underhood to a point. From there its a matter of interpretation and common sense.

Learning electronics is the easiest thing on a car. If you can trace a line with your finger, you can figure out a schematic diagram. All you have to do then is google the bits that your finger lands on. I do admit its easier if you know what the bits do, often you can work backwards from there. Still I had no issue with coming to various forums and asking for help. I'm not disappointed that its taken me nearly six months to fix this issue, but as the truck is a third vehicle, I didn't have to spend a whole lot of time on it. But in that time I fixed a lot of other problems I wasn't aware of, and the vehicle is now better for it.

Once you run out of wires and components to check, there is only one thing left. Its what led me to a computer fault. Once I replaced all the ignition components and a few other related air/fuel sensors, the only thing that made sense was that the computer could see these things but could no longer react properly. It was a risk, but a calculated one. For about 100 dollars it was a slightly expensive risk but in the end it paid off.

 

Well I do understand electrical systems on earlier cars like my 1972 mg midget and my 1965 mustang, it is just the newer control systems, computers, etc. Funny you mention mice. My truck sat outside not even started for 16 years until a couple months ago. Mice did not get in the cab to my relief, but they went in the air intake and tried to chew through the air filter . They also crawled into my bell housing underneath through a very small opening and nested up in there. I live in Wyoming, very dry, and the paint has not held up that well. Otherwise, I took a quick drive on the rebuilt tranny, then changed the engine oil and all seems smooth. Cross my finger I guess. Glad you finally got your problem solved.

 

[QUOTE=The Miracle;2181269]​​​​​​

Hello, I have a 1987 A4WD 2.9L Ford Bronco II (basically a Ranger with a top) and I'm also having issues with my electrical. Doesn't seem to matter when; I'll be driving along and the engine feels like it misses and if I don't catch it by giving it some gas or turning the ignition switch fast enough, it'll die. When it does it flashes the EMISS light and the Seatbelt light (for some reason).

Replaced/inspected: Fuel filter, oil filter, new oil, alternator, starter relay to starter cable, ignition coil + connector, distributor and cap, wires, ignition switch, plugs gapped, new battery, cleaned the IAC, cleaned and inspected TPS, replaced throttle body gasket. Set TPS to 0.82v at 700RPM (idle) https://www.therangerstation.com/for...stment.196011/.

My next thought is to tighten the throttle cable to remove any slack. Or bore out the TPS holes slightly so I can hit ~0.96v and still idle at 700RPM. https://www.therangerstation.com/for...-voltage.7852/. I could also try taking out my ECM and cleaning it with IPA.

I could really use some advice or help