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2.3L ('83-'97) 1994 no start after ICM change


jneub1

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Previous owner changed coil packs, I replaced plus, wires, crankshaft sensor and timing belt. Ran the Ranger a few weeks then replaced ICM because of check engine light on w/211 code. Engine fires and runs for a very short time then dies. put old ICM on and stays running but CEL is on w/211 code. Checked connections on coil packs, ICM, BCM all look good. Returned ICM for another but same result with start but not run. Any suggestions?
 

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Uncle Gump

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94 will be OBD I...

Im not super familiar with the 2.3L.

There are two different colors on the TFI modules. Gray and Black. I believe the difference is the gray one controls timing in the TFI. Black TFI the ECM controls timing.
 

scotts90ranger

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The module on the '89-94 I think are all grey but are different than the normal TFI module since they use a crank sensor that go to the module and out to two coil packs then back to the computer for the rpm signal.

The only thing that really makes sense to me is the replacement crank sensor is bad or you got two bad control modules, maybe swap coil connectors between the sides to see if one of the outputs is working and not the other (no spark on crank on drivers side plugs on this system) or swapping the coils.
 

jneub1

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Is the TFI module the same as ICM? Mounted on intake behind AC compressor and PS pump. Original module was black and replacements are gray, possible problem?
 

scotts90ranger

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Color can be a difference or not in Ford world and aftermarket parts are a crapshoot...

The TFI module is generally the module on a Ford engine with a distributor in the '80's through '90's, stands for "Thick Film Ignition", while the DIS module (Distributorless Ignition System) likely shares some of the circuitry and does similar things they are different parts. '94 was an odd year, they made some changes on some of the engines that don't match '89-93 or '95-97, mostly for the California market where they added a cam sensor which would probably make for a different DIS module...
 

jneub1

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Still struggling, returned ICM for another-starts and sounds good for 5 seconds then seems like it drops 2 cylinders. Can't bring the rpm up just sits there and putters. Switched coil positions with no change, put old ICM back on and starts & runs but throws 224 and 998 codes KOER. Changed out crank sensor not sure where to turn, can"t find any bad wires where do I look next?
Thanks
 

scotts90ranger

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Does it have a cam sensor or not? I thought I had a picture of a non cam sensor setup but I can't find it right now... a '94 with cam sensor would have a sensor where the distributor would be
 

jneub1

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Have not found a cam sensor.
 

lowspeedpursuit

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OP didn't say 2.3L, but he did say "coilpacks" and didn't correct anyone who assumed 2.3L. '94 2.3L won't have a cam sensor for sure.

I agree with 211, I would expect the crank sensor. 224 is expected for the ICM. If you're sure everything you've mentioned--including wiring and connections--checks out, I think you end up at the ECM next. Let me pull the flowchart for 211 and get back to you.
 
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scotts90ranger

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This is in the 4 cylinder section so 2.3L is pretty good bet...

'94 California models had a cam sensor from what I've heard, they're rare but they have popped up here...

If you don't have a cam sensor there's pretty much two options with the symptoms you have and having two different DIS modules doing the same thing... either the crank sensor isn't working (at least one of the two sensors in it) or the ECM isn't seeing the rpm signal consistently from the DIS module and not letting the injectors work... Depending on your abilities I might pull the ECM (engine computer, in the drivers side inner fender I think) and pull the top to see if there's any corrosion or capacitors that look compromised.
 

lowspeedpursuit

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My bad, I jumped here from frontpage recents. Mea culpa. I would assume rare '94 cam sensors are Cali. emissions, which I guess do get exported pretty far sometimes.

I just looked in powertrain diagnostics, the 211 flowchart is pretty much quadruple-check your wiring, ICM, ECM.

224 and/or crank-no-start starts to get less focused, but it still comes around to the ECM after you've checked everything else.
 

jneub1

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It is a 2.3l, I will pull the ECM when I get back to it, Hoping for an answer, thanks for the input.
 

jneub1

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Pulled the ECM, Here's a
20250129_184046[1].jpg
photo. Looks ok but not sure what to look for.
Thanks
 

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