1984 ford ranger 4x4 2.8v6 spark issues

[just another 80s ranger]

i have a 1984 ford ranger with a 2.8 v6, i have been trying to resuscitate the thing, it ran good until i had starter issues i replaced the starter and fixed the guages not working but when i went to start it it turned over and nothing, i assume it had no spark, check and i was right i deducted it was a bad coil, s i went ahead and replaced it, but still nothing happened. now I'm thinking it has something to do with the distributor and the TFI module, or some wire that decided to go out, i check and 2 of the pins have constant power when its in on position and another has power when cranking.


if someone has some info about common issues, ore could help me with some tips or a cheep 2 wire distributor so i can just delete the hole rat nest of wires and and vacuum lines. pls help

 

[ford4wd08]

Ignition switches on the steering column are nortious for making bad connections and causing you to loose spark by having an open connection when they wear out.

An easy temporary test is to take a jumper wire from the positive battery post to the positive side of the coil and try to start it. If it runs with the jumper you have bad connection in the ignition circuit and can be the ignition switch (you'll have to remove the jumper wire to get the motor to quit running).

 

[just another 80s ranger]

thanks man i'll see if it works later today, also what about the other wire going to the coil, do i just leave it alone? or do i have to do anything with it

 

[ford4wd08]

All you're doing with the jumper wire to the positive side of the coil is bypassing the ignition switch and other wiring. You only have to put a jumper on the positive side. Don't unplug anything, just push the jumper into the back of the plug connector on the coil. It is just for a test to see if the engine will start.