1995 Ranger 2.3l dual coils plug problem.....?????

[Tiger57]

I changed my plugs and wires on my '95 Ranger, 2.3l.....I completely pulled all of the old plug wires off, and referred to the correct diagrams for installing them in firing order. I did notice that some of the old plug wires were mixed on each coil...(like 2 on one coil were going to the driver's side, and a couple going go the passenger side....like each coil was sharing both intake and exhaust....didnt make sense, but I pulled them, and had to refer to correct diagrams for installing the plug wires on the coils.....now, it will not start......it started fine before, but not after the plug wire swap....I wish I had taken a picture before I yanked them all off.....

 

[Tiger57]

Oh, and hello everyone, good forum you have here!

 

[RonD]

Welcome to the forum

Each coil pack only has 2 coils inside, because one coil sparks 2 spark plugs at the same time
The engine can run fine with just one coil pack, and did so from 1974 to 1988 with a distributor and 4 spark plugs
The extra 4 spark plugs adds more power, both spark plugs in one cylinder spark at the same time

If both your coil packs are on passenger side of engine then try this: https://easyautodiagnostics.com/images/articles-0-99/60/63/image_15.jpg

Factory coil pack looks like this: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/P1gAAOSwUKxYlpRt/s-l300.jpg
Pay attention to were the 3 wire connector is
You can see the 4/1 and 2/3 labels, those are where 1 and 4 spark plug wires go, and 2 and 3

3rd party and some factory coil packs look like this: https://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/images/Ignition/CoilPack2.jpg
Again pay attention to the 3 wire connector, same setup, 1 and 4 on the left of connector, 2 and 3 on the right

So if there are no labels you will know where each cylinders wires go by where the 3 wire connector is

Cylinders 1 and 4 share one coil in the coil pack
Cylinders 2 and 3 share the other coil in that one coil pack

One coil pack is for the Passenger side's 4 spark plugs(exhaust side), the other coil pack is for drivers side 4 spark plugs(intake side)

Doesn't matter which is which, both coil packs operate the same away at the same time

6 month test
You should unplug the 3 wire connector on one coil pack and start the engine and see how it runs, should be smooth
Then shut off engine and plug that coil pack back in and unplug the other one, start engine, again should be smooth running
If you get a misfire on one coil pack then there is a bad spark plug or wire on that side of the engine

Benefit of dual spark plugs is more power, draw back is you can't tell if one spark plug is bad, lol
You only notice when BOTH spark plugs in one cylinder go bad