2.9 no spark, good coil

[CMFG43]

hey all, this is my first time posting here so im sure i should spend a little time going through the discussion boards, but im in a little bit of a rush and hopefully someone can help. i just got done doing the headgaskets on my 1989 2.9 ranger, got the timing set and the truck started right up, after identifying it had a coolant leak at the upper radiator hose and a vacuum leak that i quickly repaired i tried to start it again and no luck, it cranks just fine, there is good fuel pressure (enough to erupt out of the schrader valve on the fuel rail when pressed) but absolutely no spark, checked out the coil with a multimeter and its got 12volts at the coil and the other end of the wire at the distributor so theres power there. ive heard the ignition control module is probably to blame and thats my next stop. im just curious if there is anything else that could be causing this. ive been a jeep guy for years and this sort of sounds like a bad crank position sensor in a 4.0 jeep motor to me, but as far as ive been able to figure out there is no dedicated crank position sensor in a 2.9 and it all works through the ignition module and within the distributor. any help would be great. also if it helps anyone to identify the problem, the truck ran great before the head gasket change, i drove it daily and aside from using a little oil it never let me down. thanks in advance.

 

[adsm08]

Your assessment of the situation seems spot on to me.

 

[RonD]

Good read here on your TFI system: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TFI_Diagnostic.shtml

Print the work sheet and test voltages and ohms, might save you a few dollars or confirm your diagnoses.


CKP(crank position) sensors are usually only found on distributorless engines

 

[CMFG43]

thanks for the help, im on my way to grab some tools from my box at work, for whatever reason i dont seem to have a 5.5MM socket at home and thats what its going to take to get it out. i really appreciate the help everyone

 

[adsm08]

At Advance Auto you can buy a tool for removing the TFI module. It is intuitively enough called a "Ford ignition module tool", costs about $5, has the 5.5mm on one side, a torx star on the other end, and a thumb wheel in the middle. I just keep that tool and a few spare TFI modules in the center console of my BII so that I am not gonna sit on the side of the road for more than 5 minutes because of a failed ignition unit.

Anyone I know who has owned a 2.9 for more than a few years does something similar. Insurance, registration, spare TFI, and the tool.

 

[Andy D]

if I remember correctly, a 7/32 is gudenuf for a 5.5 mm