2.3L ('83-'97) 2.3L Crank sensor

[Paint.The.Garage.Red]

Hey you good folks!

Finally got my Ranger put back together and fluids in. Cranks but no spark and no start.

It is an 88 block in an 89 body/bay. We switched over the crankshaft position sensor from the ‘89 and added it to the ‘88 block, we’re not using the 88’s distributor. The sensor’s position is a few degrees off (retarded) but thought it would work it’s kinks out when it’s running. However the sensor is putting out 12V continuously even while turning the crank. Suspect it’s either a faulty sensor (it’s brand new but possible) or the position of it. Has anyone ever added the crank sensor to an ‘88 or older block?

The ‘89 wasn’t supposed to support a distributor but should we try going back to it instead of trying to make a crankshaft sensor work?

 

[scotts90ranger]

I've successfully installed the '89-94 crank sensor to two previous generation engines without issue just making templates with cardboard so it "should" work just fine. New parts are a crapshoot and I've heard of bad new crank sensors for these as annoying as it is since they aren't easy to install or run...

 

[Paint.The.Garage.Red]

Thank you so much for your response Scott!

Yep new sensors absolutely fail, I sell auto parts for a living and it happens more often than it should for the prices we pay on some parts. I definitely could’ve gotten a bad egg. It is a Duralast. Do you think it is worth repositioning it and trying again before replacing? It tries so hard to crank but not a single one of the 4 plugs are sparking, yet power going to all. The CKPS’s continuous power (it should fluctuate to 0 through cranks) seems to be the biggest culprit as it’s just one static signal, will test it again disconnected from the ICM.

It is such a relief to hear that you have done it not once but twice! We thought the premade indentions for bolts were located exactly the same for the 88 block as the 89 who has a bracket already there, but it turns out to be a few mm different and are wondering if that’s what went wrong instead of the sensor itself.

I've successfully installed the '89-94 crank sensor to two previous generation engines without issue just making templates with cardboard so it "should" work just fine. New parts are a crapshoot and I've heard of bad new crank sensors for these as annoying as it is since they aren't easy to install or run...

 

[scotts90ranger]

If you get no spark at all I would suspect the sensor.

I've only put the sensor on '85 and '86 blocks so no markings at all I had to go in completely blind...

 

[Paint.The.Garage.Red]

I’m definitely going to go ahead and order another one through RockAuto this time. The oem sensor before the Duralast physically broke while being unplugged. Fragile little things. Appreciate your advice a lot, thank you!

If you get no spark at all I would suspect the sensor.

I've only put the sensor on '85 and '86 blocks so no markings at all I had to go in completely blind...

 

[Paint.The.Garage.Red]

Hi good folks! I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's help, two cents, or even just following along. After replacing the crank sensor and regrounding the ignition module it ran!!! For the first time today. Thank you all, you're great.