Ok, been doing some research and I think I may have found some useful information.
tbirdsps, my 98 doesn't have a SPOUT. The SPOUT connects the DIS module to the ICM and mine does not have either of these. However, you are right in saying the the 92 and 98 ignition systems are pretty much the same.
modelageek, our 2.5's are somewhat of a hybrid EDIS since they do not have EDIS modules. I am addiing a link that has some great information on how both the DIS and EDIS work.
http://rockledge.home.comcast.net/~rockledge/RangerPictureGallery/DIS_EDIS.htm
In searching for the SPOUT I did make another discovery. There is single wire terminal by the coil packs not plugged into anything. Based on the information I can find on the internet, a capacitor is supposed to be plugged in to it. Even the Haynes manual does not mention it, although it shows pics of it. This truck was bought for my son and he drove it until a few months ago. He had complained that the truck had lost power but I assumed that he just wanted to put one of my street rod V8's in it. I know that when we bought it that it had much more power than when he got done with it. I now think that at some point he or one of his friends removed it. I am now wondering if the capacitor is what provides the voltage kickback spike when the coil fires. If so, and there is no kickback spike (like what SPOUT does on 92 model tbirdsps) then the computer may not advance the timing correctly. I am going to try to find one and install it tomorrow, but AutoZpne.com doesn't seem to know it even exists. Does this path seem logical to anyone?
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