87 2.3 no start HELP!!!

[Mr.Hotrod]

I have an 87 ranger that will just not start. I drove it fine one day. Next cold morning it started up just fine, and then it idled down to like 300 rpms and then shut up and never could get it started again. I put in new plugs, wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter, and i checked to see if i have both spark and gas and its getting plenty of that. Why is this not attempting to fire if im getting spark and gas?

Also checked the timing and its fine

 

[Mark_88]

Did you check to see if it is turning over? Does the cam gear turn with the cranking? If not, you've got a broken timing belt...it will still get gas and spark but it won't fire because there is no crank on the valves...

Check that first...one of the most common no start issues...

 

[Mr.Hotrod]

Did you check to see if it is turning over? Does the cam gear turn with the cranking? If not, you've got a broken timing belt...it will still get gas and spark but it won't fire because there is no crank on the valves...

Check that first...one of the most common no start issues...

The cam gear is turning fine.... I checked it just now. What else can you think of?

 

[chilsam]

ether

Will fire with ether?

 

[Mr.Hotrod]

Will fire with ether?

It will NOT start with starting fluid I dont know whats going on, i JUST did a full tune up on it now and im getting spark.

 

[Mark_88]

Well, you did say you were getting coughs out of it...check the firing order...if you did a full tune up that included plugs and wires there is a good chance the firing order is not correct...should be 1-3-4-2...and make sure the cap is down tight on the dizzy...

 

[Mr.Hotrod]

Well, you did say you were getting coughs out of it...check the firing order...if you did a full tune up that included plugs and wires there is a good chance the firing order is not correct...should be 1-3-4-2...and make sure the cap is down tight on the dizzy...

Cap is on tight and the firing order is correct. Is there a sensor that can not engage the injectors to spray fuel or something

 

[Mark_88]

I thought you were getting fuel...did you pull a plug to smell it for gas? Was it wet with gas at all or are they all bone dry? If they are bone dry then you need to check the fuel delivery...pump, regulator...

Do you hear the fuel pump kick in when you turn the key on?

Did you try pulling the ground off the battery and let it sit for 30 minutes to clear the computer of codes? Do you know how to check for codes? The OBD-I can be checked with a voltmeter...count to blips and all that...

 

[Mr.Hotrod]

I thought you were getting fuel...did you pull a plug to smell it for gas? Was it wet with gas at all or are they all bone dry? If they are bone dry then you need to check the fuel delivery...pump, regulator...

Do you hear the fuel pump kick in when you turn the key on?

Did you try pulling the ground off the battery and let it sit for 30 minutes to clear the computer of codes? Do you know how to check for codes? The OBD-I can be checked with a voltmeter...count to blips and all that...

I am getting fuel. I pulled the lines between the fuel tank pump and the frame pump and its spraying fuel when i turned the key, it did the same when i pulled the lines between the frame pump and the fuel filter. Its spraying too. Yes both pumps work when you turn the key. I guess ill unplug the negitive for 30 seconds. How do i check codes?

I smelled the spark plugs and they smell like gas, wet too

 

[Mark_88]

Actually, leave the ground off for 20-30 minutes...not seconds...

And you are getting gas...

What might help, and won't hurt, is to remove the air intake hose from the throttle body and try quick start in there if you haven't already done this...my Tempo died one day and would not start (it was a moisture issue with the dizzy partly) but when I took the air hose off and squirted quick start in the TB

....>>> do NOT touch the gas at all for this <<<...

Let us know if you've tried that...if so...try pulling the codes...

There is a sticky on one of the pages on checking codes for OBD-I...I will see if I can find it...but you can search the site using the search tool...OBD-I codes...

 

[Mr.Hotrod]

Actually, leave the ground off for 20-30 minutes...not seconds...

And you are getting gas...

What might help, and won't hurt, is to remove the air intake hose from the throttle body and try quick start in there if you haven't already done this...my Tempo died one day and would not start (it was a moisture issue with the dizzy partly) but when I took the air hose off and squirted quick start in the TB

....>>> do NOT touch the gas at all for this <<<...

Let us know if you've tried that...if so...try pulling the codes...

There is a sticky on one of the pages on checking codes for OBD-I...I will see if I can find it...but you can search the site using the search tool...OBD-I codes...

Tried spraying starting fluid in the TB, not one single pop. I am very confused and puzzled why its not starting if i have gas and spark.

 

[chilsam]

Hmmm

Check plug gap & what kind of plugs? autolites are best,champions r junk imo what color is the spark when jumping the gap on the plugs? Try drying and heating the plugs with a propane torch after checking the gap put m back in while still hot.

 

[Mr.Hotrod]

Check plug gap & what kind of plugs? autolites are best,champions r junk imo what color is the spark when jumping the gap on the plugs? Try drying and heating the plugs with a propane torch after checking the gap put m back in while still hot.

They are autolites plugs. The color of the spark is bright blue/white. I got one hiccup from it today but it didnt want to fire after that

 

[upnsmoke]

I managed to get the distributor cap on my 88 180 degrees off once. It fit fine and tightened down. I got spark, but at the wrong times. It took me a while to figure it out. I took it off, turned it 180 degrees, and put it back on. The truck fired right up after that. Chilsam, I agree that Champion plugs are junk.