1988 Ford Ranger No spark

[Shrunken_Head]

Okay, just talked to a Ford tech buddy or mine. bare wire is just an insulator and serves no purpose. At the module I am getting power from the coil (thick red wire), getting power from the green (tach/coil wire), and my red/blue wire from the ignition is getting power when you crank it. The only thing we can think of, and everything points to, is a bad control module or bad distributor components. I have a new distributor (loaded) from Ford comming. I'll keep you posted.......If this doesn't work, I believe this thing is going to the scrapper.

[Shrunken_Head]

New distributor didn't change a thing. All ignition components have been replaced. If you all have any more ideas please tell me. I appreciate all the help but I believe this one is going in the trash. Maybe this is why I drive a Chevy.

[HNTR22112]

Ive got the same exact problem!!! what the heck is goin on here,,, checked and replaced most everything and still no fire,,,,, next step ,,, crusher !!! 88 ranger 2.9 bout done with this truck

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by HNTR22112

Ive got the same exact problem!!! what the heck is goin on here,,, checked and replaced most everything and still no fire,,,,, next step ,,, crusher !!! 88 ranger 2.9 bout done with this truck

Check for a loose ground wire on older ones it was by the computer in the left kick panel. The relay should be close by the computer.
Check with a test light for power to coil negative it should blink a test light when cranking. Feel the eec power relay it should pulse when trying to start the vehicle.

[danksauce]

we have the same problem we have been doing so many test and replaced everything. but we got ahold of a breakout box and if this doesnt show me whats wrong i give up

[bigums1]

i have the exact same thing happing to my 86 ranger 2.3L the only thig i got left to do is rewire it and change the cumputer. sombody tryed to getto regg it so i think that may do it. have u cheacked all wires to make shure theres not a short?

[danbythesea]

My parents recently purchased an 87 ranger with 2.9... note that engine and tranny are not the originals, it is distributor system. we have replaced all of the electrical components and are still having this "intermittent" problem, will be okay for an hour or a day, then no spark. Have any of you found the problem yet. My parents spent good money on purchase of truck, parts and plow (truck is to be used as snowplow for giant driveway.....this winter!!!
Please somebody tell me that you have a solution for this problem,

Desperate

[danbythesea]

please tell me that you found the problem, my parents are having the same problems as your customer

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by danbythesea

My parents recently purchased an 87 ranger with 2.9... note that engine and tranny are not the originals, it is distributor system. we have replaced all of the electrical components and are still having this "intermittent" problem, will be okay for an hour or a day, then no spark. Have any of you found the problem yet. My parents spent good money on purchase of truck, parts and plow (truck is to be used as snowplow for giant driveway.....this winter!!!
Please somebody tell me that you have a solution for this problem,

Desperate

Check the computer ground wire by the battery and where it grounds next to the computer a loose ground will cause these types of problems.

[danbythesea]

Ground by the computer is nice and clean, all battery connections have been brushed clean as well

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by danbythesea

Ground by the computer is nice and clean, all battery connections have been brushed clean as well

Look at the small ground which connects to the big ground wire make sure it is in good condition. The connection that plugs into the module check all of the wires they sometimes break. Did you purchase a rebuilt distributor or did you change the pickup in the distributor?

[danbythesea]

Update.....
After much searching and prodding and a great variety of parts replaced. My father found something in the passenger compartment, on the passenger side, on the fire wall in the foot well , up on the left, below the heating cover...
...This find: is the elusive "inertia switch", it "trips" and by doing so shuts down the fuel pump relay, this action causes the computer to shut down spark to coil.
The truck appears to be running, up until the switch t"trips", then resetting gets the truck going again...
We have ordered from Ford @ $ 71.40 can. should be ready by Friday.
Will keep you posted, crossing fingers that this saves the truck, good luck to us all .

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by danbythesea

Update.....
After much searching and prodding and a great variety of parts replaced. My father found something in the passenger compartment, on the passenger side, on the fire wall in the foot well , up on the left, below the heating cover...
...This find: is the elusive "inertia switch", it "trips" and by doing so shuts down the fuel pump relay, this action causes the computer to shut down spark to coil.
The truck appears to be running, up until the switch t"trips", then resetting gets the truck going again...
We have ordered from Ford @ $ 71.40 can. should be ready by Friday.
Will keep you posted, crossing fingers that this saves the truck, good luck to us all .

If the new switch trips check the amp draw on the circuit as this is unusual for this to occur.

[danbythesea]

We received the new inertia switch, but instead of installing it. We chose to jump the wires plugging into the existing switch, so the switch is unplugged and wires are jumped.
Truck has been running every-time we ask it to start .....keeping fingers crossed, planning on returning new switch.
So do not throw your truck away, try to bypass the inertia switch....under dash passenger side.

[rhandwor]

Originally Posted by danbythesea

We received the new inertia switch, but instead of installing it. We chose to jump the wires plugging into the existing switch, so the switch is unplugged and wires are jumped.
Truck has been running every-time we ask it to start .....keeping fingers crossed, planning on returning new switch.
So do not throw your truck away, try to bypass the inertia switch....under dash passenger side.

This switch is a safety item to shut off fuel in case of a wreck or roll over.