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1998 Ford Ranger No Spark


MrBlue51

Member
Joined
May 14, 2016
Messages
5
Vehicle Year
1998
Transmission
Manual
I have replaced:
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Coil
Cam Sensor
Crankshaft Sensor
Ignition Switch

I also have tried Checking all the fuses and I've swapped the Relays around. I don't have any Spark. When I try starting the truck it doesn't start at all. I've ran a OBD2 Diagnostic Tool on it and have gotten the P1000 Trouble Code.
I've been working on this for a week now and still can't figure it out. If anyone has any Idea's please let me know.

Thanks,

-MrBlue51
 
Welcome to TRS :)

1998 Ranger came with 3 different engine options, 2.5l, 3.0l and 4.0l

Which do you have?

And 2wd or 4wd?

Automatic or Manual trans?

2.5L has no spark on intake side spark plugs while starter motor is turning, that is normal.

Do a 50/50 test
Pull off the air tube for the intake manifold
Open throttle and spray some starter fluid or gasoline into the engine

Put tube back on and then try to start engine.

If it fires up then dies you are not getting fuel
If it doesn't fire up then you are not getting spark
50/50

Above is about the only way to test for spark on Ford's waste spark system, spark testers often won't show spark on these systems because of the series wiring and neither does grounding a spark plug.

Or after cranking the engine a few times pull out 1 spark plug it should be wet with fuel if fuel system is working.

Spark is very simple on the 1995+ Rangers
When key is turned on the computer powers up, CEL(check engine light) will come on confirming power up, does CEL come on?
When you crank the engine with starter motor the Tone Ring on the crank(behind main pulley) turns and the CKP sensor will read 35 pulses and 1 gap, the 1 gap = #1 piston at Top Dead Center, this is how the computer times the spark(and fuel injectors).
There must be 35 pulses and 1 gap, tone ring looks like a gear, with 35 teeth and one missing tooth, if a tooth should break off then there would be 2 gaps, so maybe 20 pulses and a gap then 14 pulses and a gap, computer wouldn't start spark or fuel because it needs 35 pulse and 1 gap to know when to start spark.

Once computer has the 35 pulse and 1 gap it will start to Ground the Coil pack to fire the coils in the correct firing order.
Coil pack should get 12volts on 1 wire when key is turned on, the other wires are Grounds that go to computer.


Can you communicate with computer or does it just show 1000?
Unhook battery cable for 2 to 5 minutes and then hook it back up
Try reading codes from computer, no tests
 
Last edited:
Welcome to TRS :)

1998 Ranger came with 3 different engine options, 2.5l, 3.0l and 4.0l

Which do you have?

And 2wd or 4wd?

Automatic or Manual trans?

2.5L has no spark on intake side spark plugs while starter motor is turning, that is normal.

Do a 50/50 test
Pull off the air tube for the intake manifold
Open throttle and spray some starter fluid or gasoline into the engine

Put tube back on and then try to start engine.

If it fires up then dies you are not getting fuel
If it doesn't fire up then you are not getting spark
50/50

Above is about the only way to test for spark on Ford's waste spark system, spark testers often won't show spark on these systems because of the series wiring and neither does grounding a spark plug.

Or after cranking the engine a few times pull out 1 spark plug it should be wet with fuel if fuel system is working.

Spark is very simple on the 1995+ Rangers
When key is turned on the computer powers up, CEL(check engine light) will come on confirming power up, does CEL come on?
When you crank the engine with starter motor the Tone Ring on the crank(behind main pulley) turns and the CKP sensor will read 35 pulses and 1 gap, the 1 gap = #1 piston at Top Dead Center, this is how the computer times the spark(and fuel injectors).
There must be 35 pulses and 1 gap, tone ring looks like a gear, with 35 teeth and one missing tooth, if a tooth should break off then there would be 2 gaps, so maybe 20 pulses and a gap then 14 pulses and a gap, computer wouldn't start spark or fuel because it needs 35 pulse and 1 gap to know when to start spark.

Once computer has the 35 pulse and 1 gap it will start to Ground the Coil pack to fire the coils in the correct firing order.
Coil pack should get 12volts on 1 wire when key is turned on, the other wires are Grounds that go to computer.


Can you communicate with computer or does it just show 1000?
Unhook battery cable for 2 to 5 minutes and then hook it back up
Try reading codes from computer, no tests

it's a 3.0L Engine, its 4x4 and its Manual trans. I tried spraying starting fluid into the intake and it doesn't fire. The gear has all 35 teeth on it and when I pull out the spark plugs they are wet it's just not getting spark. The Check Engine Light does come on when I turn the key on. Coil pack is getting 12 volts. The computer still shows the P1000 Trouble Code.

MrBlue51.
 
If spark plugs are wet then computer is getting CKP pulses, so is starting the injectors

So you are down to all 3 coils in the coil pack being dead(unlikely) or the computer is dead for spark.
Just to see, coil pack wires are like this:
3 4
2 6
1 5
Front
Watch that 564 side

And engine seems to crank normally, not too fast and not loping, so compression is OK.


Because of its location the PCM(computer) connector can get moisture inside.
It is in the top of firewall passenger side center.

Look here: http://www.fordrangerforum.com/general-tech/25086-ecu-location.html

Disconnect battery and pull off connector, have a look at the pins.
Pull it all the way out and remove the top cover, look for discolored circuit board area from leaking capacitors or transistors that got to hot.
Picture of inside of EEC-V PCM here: http://www.madinventions.co.uk/mojo/Images/ecu.JPG
 
Last edited:
If spark plugs are wet then computer is getting CKP pulses, so is starting the injectors

So you are down to all 3 coils in the coil pack being dead(unlikely) or the computer is dead for spark.
Just to see, coil pack wires are like this:
3 4
2 6
1 5
Front
Watch that 564 side

And engine seems to crank normally, not too fast and not loping, so compression is OK.


Because of its location the PCM(computer) connector can get moisture inside.
It is in the top of firewall passenger side center.

Look here: http://www.fordrangerforum.com/general-tech/25086-ecu-location.html

Disconnect battery and pull off connector, have a look at the pins.
Pull it all the way out and remove the top cover, look for discolored circuit board area from leaking capacitors or transistors that got to hot.
Picture of inside of EEC-V PCM here: http://www.madinventions.co.uk/mojo/Images/ecu.JPG

I have fuel to the spark plugs there wet. But no spark. Brand new coil pack. The red wire is hot when I turn on key on. Do you know if there could be a ground wire broken or along those lines? Also do you think that if I put in a new key system does the brain have to read that? and if so can I put the old key back in there and the brain will read it?

-MrBlue51.
 
Since it is a 98 it has a PATS system (Passive Anti-Theft System). This system has a key (it came with two) that responds to a signal from the PATS system when turned to run. If the wrong key is used (not recognized by the computer) the engine will turn over but never start because the computer will not allow spark.
 
1999 was first year for Ranger PATS, Explorer had it in 1998.

If equipped with PATS(passive anti-theft system) the PATS Module, above the glove box, would need to "see" a matching key in the ignition switch when key is turned on.
If key matches then anti-theft light on the dash will go off
If key doesn't match then anti-theft light will flash rapidly

Earlier PATS, like the 1998, disabled the fuel pump power and fuel injectors, not spark as far as I know.
Later PATS also disable starter motor, and PATS was in the computer, no separate module.
But in any case the spark plugs wouldn't be wet if PATS was activated.

You could have another anti-theft system, 3rd party or Ford Dealer installed.
These would usually disable fuel pump as well but could disable spark.
These would sound the horn or added siren if activated
 
Last edited:
1999 was first year for Ranger PATS, Explorer had it in 1998.

If equipped with PATS(passive anti-theft system) the PATS Module, above the glove box, would need to "see" a matching key in the ignition switch when key is turned on.
If key matches then anti-theft light on the dash will go off
If key doesn't match then anti-theft light will flash rapidly

Earlier PATS, like the 1998, disabled the fuel pump power and fuel injectors, not spark as far as I know.
Later PATS also disable starter motor, and PATS was in the computer, no separate module.
But in any case the spark plugs wouldn't be wet if PATS was activated.

You could have another anti-theft system, 3rd party or Ford Dealer installed.
These would usually disable fuel pump as well but could disable spark.
These would sound the horn or added siren if activated
No this does not have a PATS system
 

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