No Ignition during cranking- what have I missed?

[177CIOfPureLove]

Hey guys, I have done everything this truck needed to get on the road, I have been chasing this problem for at least two or three weeks now- This truck does not spark when you are cranking it. Connect spark tester, crank and nothing; as soon as the key is off "start" the motor sparks before she stops spinning. She starts for me, just you have to bump the starter and it always starts usually 1st or 2nd bump. This is certainly not good enough. I have replaced the ignition switch, cleaned all of my grounds, investigated my wiring, I do not get it. Also she starts normally when warm. Does that make sense? Does anyone have any ideas? I have entirely too much into this thing to just sit and wish I were driving it....I did install the engine but it worked perfectly after install.

1988 ranger stx
2.9l 5sp 4x4 ext cab

 

[Ozwynn]

I would take a look at that ignition switch again......

 

[IMenriched]

Double check the relays??
and ya the key switch too.
sorry if this is a repeat...but did you change the pick-up coil inside the distributor??

hows it run once you get it started?

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

She runs perfectly after she starts, Could it be the pick up if it starts and runs, if you bump it cold, but when its warm, she starts normally. Thje ignition switch is new, the old one didnt even really look like it needed to be replaced..... is there any kind of adjustment for it perhaps?

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

Bump?

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

Anyone have any other ideas?

 

[rj_conerly]

this might be a stupid question but did you check the starter relay or atleast try to start it by bypassing it?

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

What do you mean? It does crank, the solinoid works that way.

 

[HndMeDnBroncoII]

Borrow an ignition module from another motor that u know is good.my money is on that.
They can be intermittent and temperature related.I just picked up an 87 ranger 2wd longbox dual tanks,the guy said it had a bad fuel pump wont run take it away for 300bucks.Well it turns out the ignition module was dead paid 260 for the truck and changed the module&drove it home.Swap out the module!As well u need a thin walled socket to get it off.

 

[Psychopete]

There was someone with this same exact problem that posted in this forum some time ago, but I can't remember what the outcome was.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

The TFI has been replaced, its brand new. Even swapped out a known good one. Same result. This thing runs perfectly. I am at a complete loss. Every idea is appreciated....

 

[kimcrwbr1]

when you go to start it and it dont leave the key on and jump the start relay if it starts then the problem should be the in the wire from the ignition going to the distributor in start mode. in the tech library the TFI diagnostics section shows the module and how to test it when you turn the key to start it switches from run to start at the module then back to run when you let off the key that advances the timing for a quick start i think. all the info you need is there tho