1996 Ranger Not Firing..Help!

[justaime]

1996 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3 Engine Automatic Transmission.

I'm new here and I'm a chick so please bare with me lol.

Just started having this problem. It's an intermittent problem sometimes after driving for while 15-20mins if I park it to go into the grocery store etc,.. I come out and it won't fire. Act like it wants to but it won't. It seems to have spark and fuel. At first I thought it was the crank sensor cause I read even if you have spark and fuel it could still be the crank sensor. So I had a friend of mine put one on for me and it was fine for a few days. Drove it to bestbuy yesterday which is about 15mins away was in the store maybe 10mins came back out and it wouldn't fire. Walked over to grab some food for about an hour came back and it started right up.

I've tuned it up so plug wires have been replaced,spark plugs and I replaced the crank sensor. Could it be my coil packs? Or something else? Would like to know what everyone thinks before I go and spend 100$ on coil packs lol. Since I already spent money on a sensor that I probably didn't need.

Any advice would be great thanks! If your advice leads to fixing it I owe ya a ...

 

[justaime]

anyone??

 

[nitrofan1]

Welcome to TRS Justamie!

Your coil packs wouldn't act intermittently. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and go OLD SCHOOL. Take your ignition module to a parts store and have it checked. Now here's a secret most don't know. In the olden days we'd check a misfiring module on the car. If the vehicle wasn't starting in our parking lot we'd grab a can of R-12 and quick cool the module. If the vehicle started we'd sell em a module. Since you can't do that today take it in at room temp. Have a lighter handy if it passes the first test heat it up for a few seconds with the lighter (no direct flame). If the second test fails get a new one.

I'm sayin this cause it sounds like after the trucks gets to operating temp and you shut it off it won't start but will after it cools down some.

If this doesn't work shoot it! LOL

P.S. We don't care what gender you are. We are all RBV nuts period!

 

[justaime]

Thanks will have my brother try that for me!

I only mentioned I was a chick cause I barely know what I am talking about when it comes to trucks. I'm learning now though. Especially with this damn thing lol.

I already offered to let my friend shoot it on his shooting range haha. But it's to cute to shoot lol.

Thanks again!

 

[cody93]

since R-12 aint availible, those little cans of compressed air used for cleaning computers can work too, hold the can upside down and it'll squirt fluid that will chill out the module, if it starts after getting sprayed, then theres your problem!

 

[justaime]

since R-12 aint availible, those little cans of compressed air used for cleaning computers can work too, hold the can upside down and it'll squirt fluid that will chill out the module, if it starts after getting sprayed, then theres your problem!

Thanks!

 

[rrbrian222]

Just to clarify, I believe after 95 the ignition control module functionality was built into the PCM (powertrain control module), commonly referred to as the computer. There is no separate ICM to test.

Don't want you to go looking for something that isn't there. Read through the 4 cylinder forum (2000 and older), you'll find a few threads where similar issues have popped up (plus its a great way to start to learn about the technology that makes your truck work). Good luck and feel free to ask questions.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=84

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

My parent's '94 had an intermitant no start that had absolutly no ryme or reason, turned out to be the inertia kill switch was just barely plugged in.

On that thing, it was near the top of the carpet on the passenger floor board.

 

[justaime]

Just to clarify, I believe after 95 the ignition control module functionality was built into the PCM (powertrain control module), commonly referred to as the computer. There is no separate ICM to test.

Thanks I did some more digging around online and found that out. I took it to Advanced Auto Parts today they hooked a diagnostic tool to it. It had codes P1056 and P4143, also said misfire on cylinder #2.

Friend of mine suggested maybe the IAC was getting stuck. I've done so much reading by the time I am done I will be a 96 ford ranger expert haha..

I read that modules and crank shaft sensors won't throw codes? Is that true? I also read coil packs can be intermittent. Then I read they either work or they don't.

I have race horses and this car stuff is harder than them to figure out lol.

 

[nitrofan1]

Just to clarify, I believe after 95 the ignition control module functionality was built into the PCM (powertrain control module), commonly referred to as the computer. There is no separate ICM to test.

The 2.3L still had one.

Borg Warner # CBE42
Motorcraft # DY537 or DY 959
Standard Motor Products # LX230

What might be confusing is when OBD II started Ford started calling it a Fuel Injection Control Module but it's the same thing with a different name. When I look it up in the BWD book or the idiot box at work this shows up under ignition control module.

FordParts.com even still calls it an ICM.

 

[killj0y]

Thanks will have my brother try that for me!

I only mentioned I was a chick cause I barely know what I am talking about when it comes to trucks. I'm learning now though. Especially with this damn thing lol.

I already offered to let my friend shoot it on his shooting range haha. But it's to cute to shoot lol.

Thanks again!

No worries plenty of guys in here that don't know anything either. And calling a ranger cute kinda hurts my ego lol.

 

[justaime]

Took off the IAC and it was as clean as a whistle inside no carbon or anything hmmph lol.