Lost power--now won't start

[HORSELADY12]

OK GENTLEMEN HELP A LADY OUT HERE PLEASE!!! I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS WORK ON MY 94 FORD RANGER 2.3L 4 CYL 5 SPEED AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS LOOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE GAS OR ENGINE WOULD DIE, HOWEVER IT WOULD CRANK BACK UP. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER & HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHECKED. IT CHECKED GOOD. THEN 1 COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THEN THE PLUG WIRES & PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE FRONT COVER HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF TO CHECK THE TIMING BELT. BELT IS GOOD SO IT WAS PUT BACK ON AND THE TIMING WAS RESET. NOW I HAVE WENT 5 STEPS BACK BECAUSE AFTER REPLACING ALL OF THAT....IT WILL NOT START AT ALL NOW!!!! THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS TAKEN OFF & TESTED. IT TESTED BAD. THE MECHANIC PUT ANOTHER MODULE ON AND TRIED TO CRANK THE TRUCK. IT BACK FIRED SO BAD THAT NOW I NEED A NEW MUFFLER AND IT BURNT UP THE NEW MODULE. I HAVE GOTTEN ANOTHER MODULE TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE I BOUGHT. I ALSO BOUGHT A MAF SENSOR AS WELL BUT HAVE NOT PUT IT ON THE TRUCK BECAUSE IF THE NEW IGNITION MODULE IS REPLACED, I AM AFRAID IT WILL BURN UP THE 2ND NEW ONE I HAVE BOUGHT. NOW MY SO CALLED MECHANIC IS SAYING I NEED TO BUY A NEW COMPUTER FOR THE TRUCK. I AM AT MY WITS END AND MY POCKETBOOK IS EMPTY. CAN ANYBODY PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME OUT????

 

[Mark_88]

You can try contacting a local junk yard and get a computer from them...they are very cheap and you can test it with that...if you're up to it you can even go in and yank it out yourself...they are not that hard to remove and install...and by taking one out at the junkyard you get to practice before you make mistakes on your own...just don't cut any wires...they all pull out or disconnect fairly easily...

If I was in your area I'd be happy to do this for you...and I'm sure there is someone on here nearby...if you don't mind meeting strangers that are actually your best friends...

If it doesn't work have someone pull the codes to see if there are any...the diagnostics usually give you a very good idea of what sensor is out of whack...and it sounds like you have a wonky sensor...if it isn't the computer...

 

[TimR]

The fact that the front cover was removed, and then put back together after adjusting the timing, tells me you need a NEW "so-called mechanic". Just my .02 worth, I would guess timing belt had jumped, and whoever reset it and put it back was an idiot! Also, check the tensioner, etc.

 

[Bryan22]

+1 sounds like valve timing is off, causing backfire. also the ICm should not get "burnt up" from the truck backfiring. If you'd like I've got a ca model 94 computer. you'd have a check engine light, but you can try it to see if the computer is the issue. I'd let you use it for price of shipping. if it works keep it, if not send it back.