3.0 no power/spark

hoffdawg · Jul 4, 2014

I have a 1986 Ranger, not sure what year the motor is, but it is a 3.0. I replaced the starter and it was for a 96, and the ignition coil was for a 86. SO I am lost. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I overheated the engine, and the tranny wasn't shifting right, which caused the overheating. It stalled and now the starter won't engage with the key, I turn the key and nothing happens. I installed a push button and the starter will engage with that and crank the motor, but I have no spark. I have power to the ignition coil, and just replaced the old one. Any idea why I don't have any power from my key? Thanks.

RonD · Jul 5, 2014

3.0l was first offered in Rangers in '91, it had a distributor until '94, then in '95 it had a coil pack and Cam Position sensor in place of distributor.

I assume you have checked fuses.
Check ignition switch under the steering column.

Do you have a distributor or Coil pack(6 spark plug wires on rectangular box)?

This matters as to how spark is started, it isn't automatically started because starter is activated, especially if you have by-passed ignition swiitch.

hoffdawg · Jul 7, 2014

I have a distributor. had to bypass the neutral safety switch to get the key to work. I had to run a wire from the battery to the inertia switch for my fuel pump to work, still don't have spark. have changed the ignition coil, PCM, ignition tumbler lock, distributor cap. what else could it be?

bucko · Jul 9, 2014

When was the last time it started? Then note what changes/mods you did, and check them. If you re-wired the ignition switch to correct the starter engaging, and/or the fuel pump to work, I'd be looking at that modification.

Otherwise, get the wiring schematic for your year and start the electrical troubleshooting process with it. The factory ones have test areas labeled to assist in narrowing down the cause.

stmitch · Jul 9, 2014

If your truck has a 3.0, then it was swapped in, along with pretty much the entire powertrain.
Do you know why it was swapped, or when it was swapped? What parts may have been swapped, or not (for your truck the engine, trans, exhaust, and wiring minimum)?

hoffdawg · Jul 9, 2014

It ran a few weeks ago. I was driving it and it started not shifting right, which caused it to overheat. as soon as I pulled into my drive, it just died. It hasn't started since. The neutral safety switch was melted when I bypassed it.

3.0 no power/spark

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