ignition help

[timfost85]

Hi all,

I have a '93 Ranger, 4l 4x4. Sometimes it runs wonderfully with lots of power and acceleration. Sometimes it is a little sluggish. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

However, I just pulled codes and got some ignition faults:

226 (O) Ignition Diagnostic Monitor (IDM) signal fault - Ignition Systems
124 (M) TP voltage was higher than expected - Fuel control
211 (M) Ignition PIP signal was erratic or missing - Ignition Systems

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the ignition lock cylinder is goofy. It sometimes doesn't let the key go in very well and I can sometimes start the truck without a key at all. It takes a different key than the door, so sometime in its life someone must have swapped it.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[RonD]

The ignition switch is under the steering column, the key switch is connected to a rod that slides the ignition switch into its various positions.
The key switch reads like it is worn out, so you may want to replace it, a locksmith can rekey cylinder to match door key.

The ignition switch codes could be because the key switch isn't positioning the slider correctly or it could be the switch is also worn out, hard to say unless you open steering column, drop ignition switch and have a look.

4.0l uses EDIS-6 module for spark
It gets the PIP signal from the CKP(crank position) sensor behind crank shaft pulley
EDIS module uses the PIP to set base spark timing, it also passes the PIP to the computer
Computer uses the PIP to time the fuel injectors
Computer also looks at throttle position, RPMs and speed to determine best spark advance and sends that data back to EDIS module so it can advance or retard spark timing based on computers input.

If you were losing that spark advance the engine would seem sluggish.

Look here: http://www.dainst.com/info/edis/edis.html

technical data aside, you are looking at the wiring for the EDIS-6, about 3/4 down the page, the PIP wire(out to computer) and the SAW wire(in from computer)
The VRS(crank sensor) is working or engine wouldn't start at all

The EDIS module is usually located on the radiator support

Google: edis-6 module image

to see what you are looking for

edis modules rarely fail, so I would think you are looking at a wiring problem, or computer problem, computer is more likely to fail than edis module, but computer failure is not that common either, corroded connections are the more likely issue

 

[Mazda]

I would do everything RonD says. His advice on this forum is gold.

Only thing I would suggest is that you do not have a locksmith re key your new key switch to your door key. I have 2 separate keys and yes it is a pain sometimes but gives you the option to hide a key and if found all it will do is open the door.

My key will also come out when the truck is running. My 6 year old thinks is so funny.

 

[timfost85]

Thanks! I'll give these things a try!

 

[timfost85]

Gotta love curve balls... When I started to take the ignition area panels off, I got into this mess. Can anybody reconstruct a probable history here? I'd this wiring mess likely to be accentuating the problem?

Additionally, when I shut the ignition off, many of the gauges such as the temperature and fuel gauges stay on (in their running positions).

Some of the bare wires below had electrical tape around them. I took it off to see what was going on.

Thanks again!

 

[RonD]

Wow, that is a bit of a mess.

I would look here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/EDiagrams/index.htm

At the bottom is a 1991 list of body wiring, look at all the pages, page 3 looks promising.
You are looking at wire colors, see if the '91 matches your '93, it should.
Then try to see if everything is connected and matching


Could be someone added an alarm then someone else took it out??
Definitely more than just adding a radio

 

[enjr44]

Hard to remember; but, on my 93 (long gone) I think my fuel and temp gauges stayed where they were when you shut it down. I do know that the fuel gauge stays where it was when you shut down the 02.