2.3L ('83-'97) 1996 2.3 No Start

[PetroleumJunkie412]

.......**** I hate obdII.




Ok gents, new-to-me 1996 Ranger 2.3/5spd with a no start condition.

I'm going to forgo grammar and sentence structure for now to get as many details down as possible

Fuel:

36 psi at the rail when cranking
Have not pulled injectors yet
Plugs are not soaked, but have some film on them after cranking cycles
Test light on the harness when cranking is one wire light off, other light stays lit the entire time
No noid light on hand


Air:
New Air filter.



Spark:

Cyl1 wire sparks orange when cranking, plug on cyl1 sparks beautifully
Had it cranking with #1 out and would up with flame coming out of the hole.



Cranks slowly, about half as fast as my 1988 and 2011. New starter and new battery, ran a jumper from the negative post to the frame checking for weak ground. No difference.

Seems to crank easier once pedal is pressed to the floor.

No codes with Torque plugged in

Pulling spout connector makes no difference

Did a few ether shots directly into the throttle body. No fire.

Still need to get a Haynes for it.

Open to suggestions

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Cranking on brand new battery and starter:

 

[sheep herder]

Why haven't you swapped a 2.9 into it yet?

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Why haven't you swapped a 2.9 into it yet?

2.3l, single cab, short bed, 4wd, XL, manual everything, D35 4.10s. Been waiting on this exact truck. Have an 8.8 limited slip 4.10 rear sitting here, but need it to run first.






Already tracked down a 2.3 turbo for it.




But I really need it to run on this lump first before I'll put anything into it.

 

[Dirtman]

Have you tried cursing at it?

 

[RonD]

Well if it doesn't fire using 50/50 test, "shot of ether" then there is no spark or no compression

If you think there is spark then its either at the wrong time, long shot in 1996, or there is no compression............2.3l.......timing belt

So from discription so far, timing belt is broken or slipped far enough to lower compression below 100psi

 

[Ramcharger90]

Maybe the hot battery wire has corrosion in it.

We had a jeep like that once.

 

[Snoranger]

It’s been exactly an hour since I told you to do a compression test... Well???

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Have you tried cursing at it?

Not yet, still at bargaining.

Well if it doesn't fire using 50/50 test, "shot of ether" then there is no spark or no compression

If you think there is spark then its either at the wrong time, long shot in 1996, or there is no compression............2.3l.......timing belt

So from discription so far, timing belt is broken or slipped far enough to lower compression below 100psi

Sno suggested a compression test via text. Next step in the am.

Timing belt looks intact. Method to test cam timing on the little guy?

Maybe the hot battery wire has corrosion in it.

We had a jeep like that once.

The one going to the starter was mostly broken at the starter itself. Put a new end on it, same result. Probably going to dig up a new one, was a little green inside.

It’s been exactly an hour since I told you to do a compression test... Well???

Don't have one here. Getting one and testing in the morning.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Pulled the timing cover. Is the timing belt supposed to have almost a full inch of deflection when you push on it? 'Cause that doesn't seem right...


Ordering a new timing belt and tensioner. Was going to go with cloyes, unless anyone knows of a more durable/higher performance set?

 

[Dirtman]

Pulled the timing cover. Is the timing belt supposed to have almost a full inch of deflection when you push on it?

No... not at all...

Slap an eslinger adjustable cam gear on that summbich while your at it. You'll need it anyway when you inevitably put a cam in it.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Wondered if it was worth it, but will probably just run for now. Loooooow budget commuter. 2.et is going to sit in the basement for years. Just lots of garage clean outs right now.

With headers and 2.5 exh on it by previous owner, I say score, slap er in the ass and boogy. Swap the ms as a rainy weekend activity at some point to see how lean and low green we can go

 

[scotts90ranger]

Maybe look at the crank sensor and connector wherever that may be (I honestly didn't look when I did my '97)

On my '97 I didn't have to loosen the timing belt tensioner to get the belt off... apparently they're ok with it, it didn't slip somehow, when you put it back together make sure to line up the aux pulley too since the cam sensor is on that...

Normally a slipped belt will cause high crank speed and uneven sound, that just sounds like a slow crank. I suspect a bad connection. If the bad connection is at the battery the voltage getting to the computer could be bad, anything around 7V while cranking and relays and normally the computer will be iffy at best, with new battery and starter that leaves the cable unless the compression is over 200psi somehow...

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Guess it wasn't anything major... left the charger on the (brand new as of yesterday) battery, came in this morning and tried to start it, and it immediately fired.






Side note: Auto Zone gold batteries appear to be garbage. 850 amp wouldn't turn over a 2.3 off-the-shelf, and the kid working the counter suggested a downgrade from the gold to the red; he said the red ones seem to last longer and have more cranking amps.


Probably still going to replace the timing belt and tensioner for the hell of it. For $20, cheap insurance and no idea the last time one was put on.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Autozone everything is garbage.