87 2.0L won't start

[jlohmann]

I've got an 87 Ranger with the 2.0L, 2bbl with 5 speed I bought a couple of weeks ago. It was running a little rough when I bought it, but now it won't even start. Here's what I've done so far to try and fix it.

Rebuilt the Aisan 2bbl carb
New cap, rotor, coil, wires and spark plugs.

It's getting fuel and it's getting spark (I'm pretty sure sufficient spark too). I replaced the water pump a week or so ago (when it was still running), and the timing belt looked fine, so I left it alone.

I'm trying really hard not to get frustrated with it. I only paid $300 for the truck. WAS running and has a clean title... so for $300, what more can you really expect.

Any and all help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Hardwareman]

You've checked to see that your plugs were wet with gas right?

Also, I recommend you pull a plug to make sure there's spark in the cylinder. Sorry if you've already done all this but you never know sometimes.

If that all pans out then I would recheck the timing. It's been a while since I've actually worked on a distributor engine but if the timing belt is correctly installed then have someone crank over the engine while you ever so slightly turn the distributor body.

I know this next question is stupid but all your wires are connected properly right?





Allen

 

[jlohmann]

I've double and triple check the plug wire. According to my Haynes manual, they're all in the correct sequence.

I'll check the spark plugs and see if they're wet... Haven't done that since I changed them.

My friend and I have been adjusting the distributor. We don't have a timing light yet, but we think we've at least got it close. Enough to the point that it should start.

Right now I'm moving on to the ignition control module. The one that's on there looks relatively new, but that's probably a mute point to say that. I think they were only $25 at the parts store. Most of this stuff probably needed replacement anyway regardless of its current working condition.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Hardwareman]

No problem.

Yeah, you need to pull at least one plug but since it's a 4-banger I would pull all 4 and make sure they're sparking down at the electrode. I would also spray some carb cleaner or brake fluid down the spark plug hole if the plugs are'nt wet and see if she wants to fire then.

Proooooocess of elimination my friend. Wish my Ranger was OBDI sometimes.




Allen

 

[Mark_88]

Pull the distributor cap and check the wiring inside...chances are the ground has broken off and you're just not getting spark properly...happened to mine and was a pain to figure out...

If the engine cranks but won't fire, check the timing again...and adjust it if necessary...and make sure your belt hasn't snapped...they tend to go at the weirdest times..

 

[86_cookiemonster]

I just had a semi-similar problem. When you try to start the truck is there a clicking sound that comes from the starter? If not get someone to tap the starter with a hammer, while you turn the key. IF it starts you need a new starter. Which is a very simple fix.

 

[jlohmann]

Pull the distributor cap and check the wiring inside...chances are the ground has broken off and you're just not getting spark properly...happened to mine and was a pain to figure out...

If the engine cranks but won't fire, check the timing again...and adjust it if necessary...and make sure your belt hasn't snapped...they tend to go at the weirdest times..

I was wondering about about the components inside the distributor. The odometer on the truck is showing about 37000. Granted it's only a 5 digit odometer, but based on the condition of the truck as a whole, it's a VERY safe bet to assume it's 137000. And I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it's 237000.

Anyway, would it be wise to replace other components inside the distributor?

When trying to start it, it has backfired through the carb a couple of times. This is a timing issue correct?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[jlohmann]

I just had a semi-similar problem. When you try to start the truck is there a clicking sound that comes from the starter? If not get someone to tap the starter with a hammer, while you turn the key. IF it starts you need a new starter. Which is a very simple fix.

To be 100% accurate, the truck was not running when I paid the guy and took possession of title. Immediately after I got home, I made a run the parts store and got a new starter relay. 30 minutes of work and I had it running and driving. It has/does have the clicking problem, but I've isolated that down to a bad battery ground. I have the parts to fix it, just haven't done it yet. Currently, I have it "fixed" enough that the starter operates 90% of the time. The starter works, it's just as if the engine can't catch a spark. This carburated engine seems to have alot of electronic parts on it... more than previous vehicles I've worked on.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Mark_88]

I was wondering about about the components inside the distributor. The odometer on the truck is showing about 37000. Granted it's only a 5 digit odometer, but based on the condition of the truck as a whole, it's a VERY safe bet to assume it's 137000. And I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it's 237000.

Anyway, would it be wise to replace other components inside the distributor?

When trying to start it, it has backfired through the carb a couple of times. This is a timing issue correct?

Thanks,
Joe

There's not much to replace, really...but mine was running funny and when I pulled to cap off I saw that the ground wire was just barely making contact...once I replaced the wire it ran much better...but I did have a mechanic change something inside...

EDIT: just remembered...it was the wiring part that the mechanic changed...and didn't set the shaft key properly...the distributor would not spin...when I tried to start the truck when it finally found spark it blew the muffler right off...must have been building up gas in the exhaust system with the cranking...scared the crap out of me...

Anyways, if you're getting backfire you can try adjusting the distributor by loosening the hold-down bolt and rotating it counter-clockwise a few degrees...if that doesn't help you may need to adjust the timing and/or remove the distributor reseat it after turning it a few degrees...

However, if the truck was running right previously and just started acting up means something is just out of whack...the timing belts can jump on these engines so that would be my first guess...second the distributor wires inside...third would be possible crossing of plug wires...it's 1, 3, 2, 4 firing order...and I've mixed them up enough times to know you're gonna get backfire...

Keep us posted if you figure it out or need more ideas...been playing with these setups for quite a while and they're usually pretty easy to figure out...don't replace parts unless you know they're broken or worn out though...

I replaced nearly everything to do with spark once only to find out the timing belt broke...(not your current problem if it backfires though)...