89 2.3 L NO SPARK?? any help ? suggestions?

[RobinDutch]

Hello, All. I have been pulling my hair out trying to diagnose a no spark to plugs situation. I have tried everything i can think of. Any advise would be greatly appreciated as this will serve as my daily to work driver truck till I can save up for a tranny swap on my other ranger.

Truck is:

1989 Ranger 2.3 Liter 2wd with a swapped in rebuilt 2.3 l engine out of a 92 ranger about 7 years back

So.. spark to left exhaust side plugs (which are the ones that should spark when starting.

The truck had been sitting for about 2 years and so the get her going i have done the following to it.

Drained as much gas as possible pulled the fuel filter and primed out the last of what i could using the fuel pump.
Put in about 2 gallons fresh gas with a generous amount of octane booster
All new spark plugs on exhaust side ( which should fire up on starting)
New fuel filter
Fuel pump was replaced a few years back.
Verified fuel pump is working.
Have not checked fuel delivery. psi. but it is getting fuel. just no spark
Plug wires were replaced a few years back and seem fine. just no spark Disconnected battery to try to "reset" the ignition module. No difference.
I have ran diagnostic tests on the ICM/DIM module, confirmed the Crank position sensor is sending both signals properly. all the tests ran correctly.
for a complete list of tests see this link:

http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford/...ule_test_1.php

except did not check for TWO DEAD CYLINDER Diagnosis see test 3

So, I swapped in a used ICM/DIM Module and a used coil pack to exhaust side

Still no spark?

I am losing my mind as i pull out my hair...trying to get this to fire up everything seems fine just no spark.

Please help me. I cant get back to work, till i can get this truck running.

Thank you in advance will check back soon.


Also. Ignition module pulled and taken to Autozone for testing. 3 tests done, all came back that it was working on the origional one and a secondary replacement one

 

[Mark_88]

I probably will be of little help on this but...

Just a clarification...the engine cranks but does not fire...is that correct?

Can you see the cam turning when you crank the engine?

Did you pull a plug wire and test for spark on the passenger side by grounding it to the Valve cover or other body part? (use a spare plug in the boot for this if possible and hold it with pliers to avoid shock)

If you have spark in that test and it won't fire you can try squirting some of that Quick Start or similar in the TB but do not connect the hose until it starts...if no spark then it is possibly a coil pack issue...and you can try swapping the left and right coils to see if that fixes it...

Had a similar problem with my Tempo and that got it running...it was actually a condensation problem with my distributor (not DIS) at the time but it took a bit of a shot to get it to catch...in your case it may be a fuel pressure issue and that should determine (assuming you actually have spark)...

 

[RobinDutch]

yes , engine turns over fine by hand and turning key to starter. just no spark.
i have checked no spark by useing a spark pluge wire tester which one end grounds to the body and other just slips around the plug wire to show a light if spark detected. no light at all. will try the plug out spark plug grounded to body test you discribed. will swap coil packs too. and post results. will try and pull codes today.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

Check for key on power to the ignition coils and injectors. Then replace the blown fuse if needed.

Does the check engine light come on key on engine off? And does it turn off when cranking?

You can try to disconnect the SPOUT shorting bar next to the ICM and see of the SPOUT circuit is shorted or the PCM is shorting it during cranking.

 

[RobinDutch]

dumb question but the timing belt is supposed to turn as well when the engine cranks over and the regular crankshaft serpentine belt is turning? maybe its a loose or broken timing belt?

 

[Mark_88]

That's why I had asked if you can see the cam turning when you crank the engine...if the cam isn't turning, then you have a broken timing belt.

Pop the hood and prop it open...put a dab of whiteout or something on the back of the cam sproket so you can see it...when you crank the engine from inside the cab you should be able to see that dot move...if it doesn't move, that shows you the timing belt is broken...

Sometimes it is hard to see that part of the engine through the slot of the open hood, but I've been able to see it by sitting up as high as I can...

 

[RobinDutch]

Thanks for your advice Mark 88. i am running a remote starter and so with the top of the timeing belt cover pulled back i have cranked the engine over and no the top wheel cam shaft does not turn. the belt seems loose to me so i think the teeth on the belt are burnt off at the bottom where the crankshaft is.

I guess even tho, i dont know for sure that this is why there is no spark to plugs.
I do know I have a timing belt that is not turning so it will have to be replaced before i can get the vehicle running.

the crank shaft is NOT seized but could the camshaft be????

 

[adsm08]

You should be able to spin the cam over by hand. Actually, if you get the fan out of the way you should be able to spin the whole engine over just by grabbing the crank pulley and turning it.

I very much doubt the teeth burnt off the belt. It's far more likely that the belt snapped. I just replaced one for a customer today because the belt was in rough shape and was about to break.

Anyway, I'd get your timing belt issue fixed first and then worry about the spark. If the cam isn't turning you can have all the spark in the world and it won't run.

 

[SenorNoob]

I wouldn't think that's likely but anything is possible.^

Since it's been turned you'll have to re-time it anyway so I'd just give the cam sprocket a turn once the belt is off. Shouldn't take much to move it. You're just fighting a few valve springs.

Without a cam position sensor, I can't see how that would cause no spark.

 

[Kenneth S]

If they don't break, they usually strip the teeth off the belt at the crankshaft. It doesn't have real cam position sensor, but it does have a sensor where the distributor used to go, so if it doesn't turn = no spark.

 

[RobinDutch]

Yes, Have the timming belt cover off and the crankshaft has burnt/striped the teeth off the timing belt.

thank you to kenneth from last post

If they don't break, they usually strip the teeth off the belt at the crankshaft. It doesn't have real cam position sensor, but it does have a sensor where the distributor used to go, so if it doesn't turn = no spark.
__________________
For all you need to know see the Updated 2.0, 2.3, 2.5 engine family, click on the link below.
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...d.php?t=124928


SO.... I am still installing the timing belt i will clean out all the much of the last burnt out one and try to reinstall new one. Im praying this will give me spark...?

 

[Kenneth S]

Try the link again, it should be fixed.

 

[scotts90ranger]

On an '89 there is only a crank sensor on the crank pulley, where the distributor was is just a plug to drive the oil pump (with a stub sticking out that you can stick a drill on to prime the oil pump on a rebuild... has a rubber cover on it). That said even if the timing belt is shot, there will still be spark on the exhaust side of the engine only (intake side only fires when the engine is running), if there is still no spark after you get the timing belt back together I would suspect the crank sensor as it's kinda vulnerable if a timing belt brakes...