Michael Stark

[Michael Stark]

I was driving home the other day and my engine quit. '93 Ranger, 2.3ltr. Pulled off to the side of the road and warning light said check battery. It's a new battery. Cranked and cranked but would not start. Got it towed home and connected my Scan Tool OBD 2 & 1. It could not complete KOEO test and said it could not communicate with computer. Does anyone have any idea what this might be? ECM perhaps? Also, Alt light goes to full negative when ignition is turned off. Short? I'm not sure I know how to find a short either. Worked on vehicles in the '70's so pretty new at this computer stuff (read Dumb). Have new plugs, new wires. I've got my fingers crossed hoping it's a simple fix for a simple mind, but.... Really need your help guys.

 

[adsm08]

I know the computer stuff makes newer cars seem scary or complicated to you guys from carb days, but the basics are the same. Air, fuel and fire.

Honestly, with it being a 2.3, my first instinct is to say the timing belt probably broke. Simple repair, and its a non-interference engine, so nothing has been damaged if that's it.

The check battery light is on because the alternator isn't putting out.

 

[ssny1088]

Does the check engine light come on w/key on? Not sure about 93, but my 97 has a pcm relay and fuse in power distribution box. Also one in cab fuse box. My advice would be check the basics before before moving to the more costly/time consuming.

 

[RonD]

Non-Ford OBD scanners often do not work on the Ford EEC-IV computers.

Have you used this scanner on this computer before, and did it work?
If not then I wouldn't read to much into it not working.

Yes, as adsm08 said only thing that has changed is that auto maintenance has gotten easier and the whole system is more reliable.
Compression, fuel, and spark are still easy to check, and that is still what makes a gasoline engine start and run.

And as ssny1088 said the CEL coming on with the key means the computer is coming on, and then it should go off after a few seconds meaning it has run a self test and passed.

 

[Michael Stark]

Thanks guys, I'll be checking these things out tomorrow. I was able to check the timing belt before work today and it is not broken, so that's one item off the list. If anyone thinks of anything else please post a reply. I need all the help I can get.
Thanks.

 

[naford]

Check for fuel. This sounds like the fuel pump went bad.

 

[Michael Stark]

Ok guys, checking everything I know how to. Fuel pump is pumping... another one off the list of possibilities.

 

[Michael Stark]

Ok guys, my truck is running. As I was looking under my hood I recalled ssny1088's message about the Power Train Control Modual. Prior to getting this truck running for the first time I recalled connecting what I thought was a burned off hose coming out of the bottom of the PCM. I put a new hose on it and connected to the only place that it could be connected to and I think it was a nipple on the exhaust. The truck ran for three days with this hose connected, then stopped. So I thought Ok, I'm going to disconnect this hose and see what happens. Well, the truck started right up. I drove it 40 miles yesterday and the only problem I could see was the check engine light came on after starting it and driving about 2 or three miles. Then it would go out in short order. Each time I stopped and started the engine running errands yesterday, after a couple three miles the check engine light would come on and then go out after a couple three minutes. So I need to ask if I should be driving my truck with this happening and what should I check next. Thanks everyone.

 

[adsm08]

Keep driving like that and try to get the codes.

 

[naford]

If the PCM was loosing memory power could that cause a CEL?