What does the starting system consist of on a 1979 Ford Bronco/F-Series?

The starting system consists of the starter, starter relay, and ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned to START, battery current flows through the starter relay to the starter to crank the engine.

What should I check if the starter cranks slowly?

Check battery charge and clean the battery posts and cable clamps. If that doesn't correct the condition, repair or replace the starter.

How do I test the neutral start switch on an automatic transmission?

Turn the ignition key to OFF, unplug the neutral start switch at connector C1015, and check continuity between the two red wires with blue stripe at the female connector. If there is no continuity, repair, adjust, or replace the neutral start switch.

What caution applies before cranking the engine with the ignition off?

If the vehicle has a catalytic converter, disconnect the air supply line between the By-Pass Valve and the Manifold before cranking with the ignition off to prevent damage to the converter. After testing, run the engine at least 3 minutes before reconnecting the air supply line.

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1979 Ford Bronco/F100-F350 Starting & Ignition System Troubleshooting Guide

Starting and Ignition System troubleshooting page: starter relay, ignition module diagnosis

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Ford manual Starting/Ignition System page: starter, starter relay and ignition switch operation plus troubleshooting (jumper red/blue-stripe relay wire to battery positive, ignition module spark tests).

AI caption August 2014 · Photo 10 of 48

This page from a 1979 Ford truck/Bronco owner's reference booklet covers the Starting and Ignition Systems. The Starting System section explains that the system consists of the starter, starter relay, and ignition switch, and provides step-by-step trouble-shooting for symptoms such as slow cranking, relay chatter with no crank, relay clicks but no crank, and starter spins without cranking (humming noise). Remedies include checking battery charge, cleaning posts and cable clamps, cleaning the starter relay connector (red wire with blue stripe), jumpering the relay terminal to the battery positive terminal, and testing the neutral start switch at connector C1015 on automatic transmissions. A photo shows the Neutral Start Switch Location. The Ignition System section describes the transistorized ignition module, ignition coil, breakerless distributor, and spark plugs/wires, and how the magnetic pickup and armature control primary current. Trouble-shooting includes a caution to disconnect the air supply line on catalytic-converter vehicles before cranking with ignition off, spark tests using a spark plug with side electrode removed, aligning the rotor with the pickup (Armature Pickup Alignment diagram), voltage checks on the red wire to the module (within 1.0 volt of battery), coil BAT terminal tests, and module ground repairs for 6-8 volt readings. Photos illustrate jumping black and green wires and conducting a coil test.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the starting system consist of on a 1979 Ford Bronco/F-Series?: The starting system consists of the starter, starter relay, and ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned to START, battery current flows through the starter relay to the starter to crank the engine.
What should I check if the starter cranks slowly?: Check battery charge and clean the battery posts and cable clamps. If that doesn't correct the condition, repair or replace the starter.
How do I test the neutral start switch on an automatic transmission?: Turn the ignition key to OFF, unplug the neutral start switch at connector C1015, and check continuity between the two red wires with blue stripe at the female connector. If there is no continuity, repair, adjust, or replace the neutral start switch.
What components make up the ignition system?: The ignition system contains a transistorized ignition module, ignition coil, breakerless distributor, and spark plugs and wires.
What caution applies before cranking the engine with the ignition off?: If the vehicle has a catalytic converter, disconnect the air supply line between the By-Pass Valve and the Manifold before cranking with the ignition off to prevent damage to the converter. After testing, run the engine at least 3 minutes before reconnecting the air supply line.