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1992 4.0 Crank- No Start (No Spark)


tygr2007

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17yo here who knows a good bit about mechanics but I am struggling with electrical on this Ranger. Bought a few months ago, did a solid axel swap from 79 bronco, and just some TLC cleaning it up. Still has a long way to go.

1992 ford ranger with 4.0 automatic transmission

Long story short, no spark. Replaced ICM, coil pack- looks to have a new'ish crankshaft position sensor. What else should I be looking for? I tried to check for codes to narrow down the problem but the dashboard doesn't flash the engine light when jumping the OBD test ports. It has an aftermarket ignition key which could be the problem with not showing codes..... dont really know. It all worked fine until one day it didn't. Brand new battery and she cranks like nobodys buisness. Doesn't start with ether. Ovbiously no spark because I held plug against ground and nothing.

Anyway, just looking for some advice on where to start. Stumped at this point and would really like to get this thing driving. :headbang:Thanks

1737604927249.jpeg
 

DPDISXR4Ti

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Get a cheap code-reader and try to pull codes. If it doesn't spit out any codes, it's likely you've got a EEC or EEC relay failure. I always travel with spares of both those any way, so I wouldn't beat you up too much if you wanted to just get those as hot-spares regardless. But get a code-reader so you can at least do some basic diagnostics rather than just pulling out the parts-cannon.
 

tygr2007

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Get a cheap code-reader and try to pull codes. If it doesn't spit out any codes, it's likely you've got a EEC or EEC relay failure. I always travel with spares of both those any way, so I wouldn't beat you up too much if you wanted to just get those as hot-spares regardless. But get a code-reader so you can at least do some basic diagnostics rather than just pulling out the parts-cannon.
I guess i'll go to Walmart or pull it to autozone to get the codes read. It didn't blink any codes on the dash with the OBD test ports jumped. Thanks for the insight!
 

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Most of the cheap code readers out there will not read OBD-1 vehicles. FYI

You should be getting some sort of feedback from the computer. I believe you can use a cheapo test light at the ECM test connector... under the hood or some are under the dash/behind the glove box. Or jumper it, see this: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1715941-how-to-retrieve-trouble-codes-from-fords-eec-iv-with-a-paper-clip.html

If you still get nothing I would be checking the CEL bulb. Burned out or missing is common. After that I would be checking grounds, especially at the battery (two smaller wires on the negative terminal) and there is another one near the computer, behind the passenger kick panel. If your grounds are intact I would then be checking fuses & relays. Just randomly died usually equals a wire broke or a fuse is blown.
 

SenorNoob

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Got a multimeter or a test light? Know how to use it? You can check for power from the ignition switch and to/from the EEC and Fuel Pump relays.
 

tygr2007

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Get a cheap code-reader and try to pull codes. If it doesn't spit out any codes, it's likely you've got a EEC or EEC relay failure. I always travel with spares of both those any way, so I wouldn't beat you up too much if you wanted to just get those as hot-spares regardless. But get a code-reader so you can at least do some basic diagnostics rather than just pulling out the parts-cannon.
Replaced eec relay
Diag reader doesn’t do anything
 

tygr2007

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Location
Naples, FL
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1992, 2023
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Most of the cheap code readers out there will not read OBD-1 vehicles. FYI

You should be getting some sort of feedback from the computer. I believe you can use a cheapo test light at the ECM test connector... under the hood or some are under the dash/behind the glove box. Or jumper it, see this: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1715941-how-to-retrieve-trouble-codes-from-fords-eec-iv-with-a-paper-clip.html

If you still get nothing I would be checking the CEL bulb. Burned out or missing is common. After that I would be checking grounds, especially at the battery (two smaller wires on the negative terminal) and there is another one near the computer, behind the passenger kick panel. If your grounds are intact I would then be checking fuses & relays. Just randomly died usually equals a wire broke or a fuse is blown.
Checked codes both ways and not showing anything. Cel stays on when cranking? All grounds are good.
 

DPDISXR4Ti

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Diag reader doesn’t do anything
Assuming you've got the correct reader and are using it correctly, no response would indicate either a bad PCM or a failed circuit (wire, fuse).
 

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