2.3l spark plug problem

[km_ranger_owner]

hello eveyone,

I'm having problems with my 94 Ranger XLT. Everytime I drive it, the engine makes a knocking noise. After some troubleshooting, I found that two spark plugs weren't firing. The coil pack was replaced, but the problem. Has anyone had this problem, and if so what should I check?

 

[Bryan22]

are the plugs or wires any good?

 

[modelageek]

+1 on plugs and wires. You have 2 coil packs right? where they both replaced? You have a separate ignition module right?

 

[Bryan22]

ya modela correct on both counts. the 94 has 2 packs and a seperate control module. All of which might be causeing the problem.

 

[modelageek]

bryan we can get some more info. However if both plugs stopped firing about the same time I would think I'm. What do u think

 

[Bryan22]

i think you forgot some words in there lol. i don't understand what your trying to say.

 

[Vince near Seattle]

May not be the spark plugs... DIS module or coil pack

The spark plugs are "paired" by cylinder number- 1&4, 2&3. If the non-firing plugs are a pair, you can narrow the problem to the Ignition module, coil pack or crank sensor.

The manual shows how to check the coils with a meter in the car. If the coils are good, remove the DIS (Ignition Control Module-ICM) and take it to your favorite parts place and have them check it. If the module is good, your crank sensor is bad.

How do I know this? I just fixed the same problem in my '94 2.3L... I had an intermittent fault in my DIS module... $150 later, problem solved...

Make sure the parts guy tests your module at least 5 times so it warms up... AND don't forget to use heat-sink thermal paste when installing the old or a new module.

 

[modelageek]

bryan we can get some more info. However if both plugs stopped firing about the same time I would think I'm. What do u think

Sorry. I meant to say ignition module

 

[v8318cid]

Glad to know I'm not the only one having this problem. After much dome scratching I've concluded in my case that the coil packs are not at fault, although I thought they may have been. I replaced one coil, and still have the issue. The new coil will drop the 1 and 4 plugs together randomly; the old coil drops only 1 of the 4 plugs, but since I haven't been able to discipher the plug pattern yet, I don't know if its #2 or #3. All things seem to point to the DIS module, but when it is tested, it passes. I get a DTC 224 consistently when the problem occurs. Any thoughts? Also, does anyone know how to test the crank sensor listed above? 92 2.3L dual plug 2x4 5spd w/ AC, PS
How the #*$! do you figure out the distributor pattern?!?

 

[Bryan22]

it's not a distributor, there are actually 2 seperate coils in each coil pack. paired cylinders fire at the same time when the ICM sends the signal to the coil pack. i believe it's 2-3 and 1-4 are paired.

Vince had a very informative post. maybe you should re-read it.

 

[v8318cid]

I'm aware its not technically a distributor. What I'm asking is what the firing pattern is for each pack. I've found several different diagrams and I can't figure out if any are correct. When you add to this the effect of polarity of each spark, it really gets confusing. I haven't seen any good technical descriptions regarding the operation of the 4 cylinder version specifically. In addition to everything else, I tried replacing the DIS module, and only succeeded in blowing a hole in my muffler. Runs worse on the new module. Now I'm really lost...

Update == Suspect the DIS module was bad, but also discovered that the secondary (driver side) coil was miswired and may have led to the DIS eating itself. Old module must have had problems with whatever controls diagnostics since the issues didn't appear as bad with it as the new module. Anyway, runs better now. Just need a new muffler now...

 

[Vince near Seattle]

v8318cid, I don't know about your '92, but, the coil packs on all the 2.3s I've seen ('93 and up) are clearly marked on the face of the module between the towers.

Glad you found the solution...