no power and backfire on efi system

[88 danger ranger]

ok so i have an 88 ranger 2.3 5 sp four wheel drive. i was driving down the road today doing about 45 at the top of 3rd gear about to switch to 4th and lost all kinds of power to the point it almost didnt pull its weight. i limped it into a parking lot and started to check it out, everything seemed fine no real smoke besides the usual burnoff. so i started it and put my hand over tailpipe there was almost no pressure at idle but idled fine. as soon as i got back in to drive it sputtered but didnt stall i had to ride the old clutch about half a block to get to speed to let it out and it backfired ever chance it got. i got it to the shop and chopped the exhaust off thinking maybe there is somethin in it and no change at. all im thinkin it jumped time or i blew the head gasket, its only got 129000 miles on the truck any ideas? im stumped

 

[stx4.0]

Its hard to pinpoint exactly without a computer code test as there are several things that could cause this.One is the ignition pick up(pip) inside the distributor.The TFI module on the side of the distributor that plugs into the pip can be bad also.Another is the EGR sensor.If it goes bad or gets unplugged from the harness it will act exactly like the trouble you are having.I have had this happen before as the clips were broke off from the plug on my ranger which allowed it to pop off from the valve.Another thing is a badly plugged fuel filter but if your loss of power happened all the sudden then I would not think it would be that.As far as jumping time I have never heard of a 2.3 doing that.I guess anything is possible but the cam is belt driven and the belt would have to break in order to do that plus a new belt would fix that.I would look at these areas first.

 

[88 danger ranger]

yeah it makes sense i suppose i didnt think to check connectors i assumed the worst. ill look tomorrow at it and see if i can find something now i thought the module on the side of the dist. was called the ignition control module is that what ur saying the pip connects to? now this little egr sensor.. where exactly would that be? cause it makes sense considering the egr has to do with gas recirculation that would explain the backfire and come to think of it i hit a rather large bump when it started this crap but what about the low flow of exhaust out of the tail pipe? would the egr sensor effect that also?

 

[scotts90ranger]

I'd suspect the timing belt myself

 

[jhammel85]

It does sound like timing or a fuel filter problem.

If I were you, Id look for something obvious, start with the easy stuff!

I'd check the cap and rotor out. Sounds odd but my rotor actually broke inside the distributor and it would just spin like crazy on the shaft. Something as simple as that will cause headaches like it did me! if that all looks OK, check the timing out. It could very well be something up with the timing belt.

 

[88 danger ranger]

yeah i see what u guys are saying the timing i think is the culprit considering it still runs it just putters and backfires like your 10 degrees off or something im at work now when i get home i plan to tinker with it all also pull off that cap and check out the rotor i need to check the pip in there as explained earlier anyway i appreciate the feedback fellas if somethin else pops in your head id love to hear it

 

[88 danger ranger]

well an update on my little problem... i replaced the air filter and fuel filter checked all my connections and checked compression all is good so i checked spark and had a weak yellow spark so i ripped off the dist. and im going to replace the pick up coil but unfortunently ran out of daylight so its gonna be done tomorrow im hoping this is it im running out of stuff to fix so my question is do you think the pick up coil would do all that stuff as far as backfire and loss of power it makes sense but i think i need a second opinion thanks for any help or comments

 

[jhammel85]

Sorry man but I'm still saying timing. I had a bad spark when my timing was off. I would check the timing before spending anymore money.

A bad coil would cause you problems. But not backfiring. At least as far as I know....I dont see how it could!

 

[88 danger ranger]

yeah i see what your saying and by all means it makes sense but the pick up solenoid was only 20 bucks and the dist is sitting in the seat of the truck so i might as well change it if it doesnt fix it then i get to play with timing but it seems ok i pulled the timing cover back today and the belt looks almost new no cracks or stress marks im not a timing belt kind of a guy i like the gear system personally in the old 2.8 i tried to buy a timing light today just for that reason and of course autozone didnt have one that was less than 100 bucks but like i said i see where ur going with it and it makes perfect sense

 

[jhammel85]

Yeah, They are expensive! but worth it. It'll come in handy if you keep your truck around.

Check around the internet...You might be able to have one rush shipped to you just as quick as picking one up at advance or autozone. Probably cheaper too! Last time I looked that was the case, at least.

 

[88 danger ranger]

ok got the old beast fixed come to find out it was the pick up coil in the distributer it only took 3 hours a torch and a drill bit to get it in but i put it in and she started up like a champ im still going to find a timing light just so i know the timing is perfect but i got my power back and no backfire. i thank you guys for all ur help if it wasnt for you id be spending about 5 bucks to get a rag and some gas so thanks guys

 

[jhammel85]

Well definitely post next time. Don't go blowing up your Ranger with a Rag and Gas! LOL

Good job man...glad you fixed it.