1991 Ranger 2.3 issue

[dangeranger1991]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and first want to say hello to all and thanks for having me here. Lots of useful info here!!

I have a 1991 Ranger with the 2.3 four cyl. that I drive back and forth to work to help my wallet with gas costs as my 02 Z71 loves to drink gas.

My Ranger is currently having some issues with an intermittent rough idle and power loss. Not to mention very noticeable decrease in fuel mpg.

When my truck is idling rough the check engine light comes on and will come and go. I did the KOEO procedure to get the trouble codes and came up with the following codes.

18 (R) Check base timing & advance function - Timing Tests
(M) Ignition TACH signal erratic - Ignition Systems

33 ALL - (O, M) EGR did not open/ respond during test or if memory code, did not open intermittently - EVP EVR PFE

41 (R) System lean - Fuel control
(M) System was lean for 15 seconds or more (no HO2S switching) - Fuel control

88 Throttle Kicker Solenoid - Solenoids
Variable Voltage Choke relay circuit fault - VVC
Fan Control circuit fault - A/C and Fan Circuits
A4LD - Converter Clutch Override solenoid - Transmissions
Electronic Ignition - IDM, DPI or spout circuit fault - Ignition Systems

I dont know where to start! Has anyone ever had these codes/rough idling issues before?
Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Danny

 

[dangeranger1991]

Does anyone have any advice or help on this matter? Please help!!

Any help greatly appreciated!!

 

[hopster]

warm it up and do a koer then see what codes you have

 

[mini274]

sounds like a crank sensor going out either that or ecm... maybe an o2 combined with crank that or you ignition control module

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

those codes point to a bad ignition module. remove the module and have it tested at a local auto parts store. post results

 

[dangeranger1991]

Thanks for the info, I will take the ICM off and have it checked friday. Would do it sooner but I started my round of three 12 hour night shifts tonight and wont be off till Friday.

Thanks,
Danny

 

[korny351]

X2 for the ICM. Had similar symptoms on my '93 2.3L. Low idle ~450 rpm. Loss of power - sometimes felt like I was running on 3 cylinders. At speed the tach would sometimes read 1/2 of the expected value. Mind you, the symptoms were intermittent. Autozone tested the ignition module. Passed the first time, but failed when they tested the second time. Replaced with a junkyard unit and she runs like a top now. Even better than she did before I noticed the symptoms. Lower left mounting screw acts as the ground, so make sure to replace it. Regular heatsink compound should be applied to the back of the unit to help in heat transfer to the intake manifold.

 

[modelageek]

As mentioned earlier there is a 3rd screw on the module that is hard to reach. If you don't install the screw the truck will not start

 

[dangeranger1991]

Thanks for all the helpful info/advice. I plan on trying to test/change out the ICM in the morning (Friday) and will post my results.

Thanks again,
Danny

 

[rurouni20xx]

mine did that at first was running on two cylinders, ended up being corroded terminals in the icm. took connectors off cleaned out connectors with brake cleaner and scraped with a pick, reconnected ran like a scalded ape. may just be a corrosion/loose connector as this can also cause problems, never hurts to have tested as well.

 

[Mr.Stoke_Me]

damn, my ranger did the same thing, very rare but about a month before it was wrecked, i hit the redline one day cuz i really had to get on it, and a few days after that the tach started acting up, it had plenty of power(or though it seemed for an old ass 2.3)though not much after 4k.

The tach would read about halfway, just like you said, and every now and then it would idle lide an old asz 302 with a ginormus cam, just kinda lumping at idle, but would pep rright up with a quick tap of the go pedal, never thought about the icm, cuz even with 1700 pounds of gravel, it still pulled a long hill without me having to take it out of 4th @ 55-60 mph.Only mods are a dleted cat and open intake!

but she is all torn up now and i tboned some idiot lady that made a turn in front of me, so im waitin on the insurance to come total it out

 

[dangeranger1991]

Update on issue with my 1991 Ranger!!

Sorry it took me so long to get an update posted on my findings with the problem with my 91 Ranger.

I took the ICM off and had it checked at Advance Auto Parts. It tested bad for 5 consecutive checks in a row. A new one at Advance would cost me $136.00 plus tax. Me being the tight wad that I am, I opted to try and find one at some local junkyards. Yeah right, every junkyard I went to and checked compatible Rangers for an ICM had already been taken off. HMMM, must be pretty common for this part to go bad. Sooo, I went online and purchased one from a used parts dealer in North Carolina for $65.00

I started working on replacing the ICm and to make it easier to get to I took the Alternator off. While I had the Alternator off and the ICM off now the Air Charge temp sensor was much easier to get too, so I took it off while I was down that far, I figured I would change it out as well. It was only $17 at NAPA. I put the new Air Charge temp sensor on and the ICM (High temp white heat sink compound put on back of ICM) and a took and ran a ground wire from the lower left spot where the bolt goes through ICM (This i have been told is where the ICM gets its ground) up to the chassis ground on the firewall behind the wiper motor.

Put everything back together and started her up. Purred like a kitten!! No issues at all to date. Now the only thing is I dont really know if the new Air charge temp sensor, ICM or added ground wire was my fix, but she is running well anyhow.

Hopefully this will help others that may/will have this issue.

Thanks to all who helped me get to a fix for this....Danny