2.3L ('83-'97) not firing coil pack

[lone wolf garage]

1992 2.3 . at start up front coil does not fire. if i let it idle for a couple minutes it starts working and runs perfect. i replaced the dis and the front coil. it did not make a difference. the problem is consitant every time i start cold engine. it is much less a problem with warm engine that was ran only a few minutes before.

 

[franklin2]

Swap sparkplug wires around. Swap sparkplugs around. See if the problem moves.

 

[RonD]

That is normal operation for 1992 2.3l SOHC Lima engine

1989 to 1994 2.3l Lima uses only 1 coil pack when starter motor is active, passenger side/exhaust side coil pack is active

This was done to give a hotter spark to 4 spark plugs when starter motor drops voltage down to under 10volts while cranking
The drivers side/intake side coil pack should start working when RPMs are above 400, cranking speed is 200rpm, so after startup this coil pack should start working

See attachment, at bottom, ICM pin 6, Dual Spark Inhibit(left is driver's side coil pack)


1995 and up 2.3l/2.5l have both coil packs working for startup


1974 to 1988 the 2.3l Lima engines used only 4 spark plugs, so just using 4 spark plugs for start up is not an issue

Popular myth for dual spark plugs is that they "alternate", no
Point of dual spark plugs in ANY engine is that it produces more power than single spark plug, so BOTH spark plugs fire all the time or there would be no point in having dual spark plugs
On startup, horse power is not the issue, hot spark is better, but it was found to not be needed so dropped in 1995

4 valves per cylinder produces more power than dual spark plugs, so 4 valves is a better use of head space and dual plugs fell out of favor as DOHC engines came into use

 

[lone wolf garage]

if this is normal, why would it have to run 5 minutes before second coil starts firing

 

[RonD]

And no code?
223 - Dual plug (DPI), SPOUT or IDM circuit fault. (Ignition systems.)

Not sure if 1991 used 3-digit codes
DPI is dual plug inhibitor

Does that 5min only happen cold so a choke parameter in Computer?
Takes about 5min to clear choke mode but would still expect intake coil to start working right away

This shouldn't cause a running issue since engine can run just fine on one coil pack(4 spark plugs), as it did from 1974 to 1988
But it would have slightly less power than with 2 coil packs working

You could open up computer and have a look at the circuit board, especially near the 2 or 3 capacitors(look like tubes standing up), they can leak after 20+ years and cause odd issues, under $5 to fix

 

[lone wolf garage]

ecm has lots of corosion inside, apears to have had moisture in the past. ordered a reman, will have it in a couple days. will update when i have installed it.

 

[lone wolf garage]

replaced ecm. It fired right up,purrs like a kitten,runs like lion. lol thank you very much for the help.

 

[RonD]

Good stuff

Thanks for the update