2.3L ('83-'97) Loud popping while cranking

[RustRatz]

I replaced the icm module, and the crank sensor, plus deleted the egr system. Now every time I try starting the truck, it’ll pop loudly every once in a while. The battery died, so I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to jump it, and see if it still does it.

1992 Ford Ranger 2.3 5spd

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Pop out the exhaust or intake?

Hows it run once its started?

 

[scotts90ranger]

check the plug wires are in the right spots on the passenger side coil

 

[RustRatz]

Sounded like it was out the intake. Never got it started

 

[RustRatz]

1-3-4-2 is the order they’re in, like they’re supposed to be.

 

[RustRatz]

It reminded me of my old engine, because the old one was out of time

 

[scotts90ranger]

The coil packs have two outputs, I don't remember which is on left or right but one side is for cylinders 1 and 4 and the other side is for 2 and 3, front to back doesn't matter just side to side (and I mean side to side in relation to the connector on the coil pack), the Motorcraft coil packs are labeled with cylinder numbers but the aftermarket ones aren't because they started being used on V8's so it got more complicated...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Hows the timing belt?

 

[RustRatz]

Good condition timing belt. Was replaced 2 years before I got the engine, and the guy drove the truck back and forth to work

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Good condition timing belt. Was replaced 2 years before I got the engine, and the guy drove the truck back and forth to work

I would still verify that.

 

[RustRatz]

Plugs wires seem to be in the right spots, considering I have motor craft coil packs. Only guess I have is I need to drain the tank because of the old gas.

 

[RustRatz]

And I heard the truck run yesterday and sounded fine. Just started popping after

 

[RonD]

1992 2.3l should have a spark inhibitor on Drivers side coil pack and spark plugs
So only the Passenger side coil pack and spark plugs work while cranking over the engine
Was dropped in 1993/4

So just a heads up, double check the coil pack on that side for correct order

If you get a back fire thru the intake it will usually blow off vacuum hoses since they are not clamped on, nor do they need to be, lol
So check to make sure all vacuum hoses are still connected


How did the crank sensor install go?
Any alignment issues using "the tool"?
That's the spark timing sensor


EGR delete wouldn't matter unless the block off plate on the intake was leaking

ICM needs good grounds on its 3 screws, rusty screws are not good grounds

 

[RustRatz]

Ron, I had the truck run for a few seconds yesterday , but then it died. I just checked and now it doesn’t have spark.

 

[RonD]

1992 has separate spark system
Crank sensor
ICM
Coil pack

Engine computer is not involved with spark at startup

Does the 1992 dash have a CEL(check engine light), it should come on with key on
If so then the CEL should go OFF when you start to crank engine over, that means there is a good Crank sensor signal
If CEL stays on then no good crank sensor signal, check the plug