Ignition diagnostic moniter ????

I'm working on my SIL's '94 Ranger 2.3 ... without a wiring diagram.

It's begun to run poorly at times ... the engine skips and shakes. I can disconnect either of the two ignition coils ... no effect. I can move all the harnesses around in the engine compartment ... no effect.

There is a engine light. Codes 218, 222, and 224.

218 and 222 have to do with a "ignition diagnostic monitor (IDM)" ... WHAT IS THIS "IDM"??? Is it part of the PCM (or ECU, or MCU or whatever the controller is called on this model?)? And where is the controller located on this thing?

224 is "PCM detected coil 1, 2, 3 or 4 primary circuit failure". ???? Any clues on this one?

Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, the (230 k miles) truck is fairly well maintained. Plugs, cables, IAC, DPFE, EGR, EGR regulator, Fuel pump/sender, filters, etc ... have all been replaced in the past 6 mos. Until this mysterious episode began, it was running very well.

I'm working on my SIL's '95 Ranger 2.3 ... without a wiring diagram.

It's begun to run poorly at times ... the engine skips and shakes. I can disconnect either of the two ignition coils ... no effect. I can move all the harnesses around in the engine compartment ... no effect.

There is a engine light. Codes 218, 222, and 224.

218 and 222 have to do with a "ignition diagnostic monitor (IDM)" ... WHAT IS THIS "IDM"??? Is it part of the PCM (or ECU, or MCU or whatever the controller is called on this model?)? And where is the controller located on this thing?

224 is "PCM detected coil 1, 2, 3 or 4 primary circuit failure". ???? Any clues on this one?

Any help would be appreciated.

BTW, the (230 k miles) truck is fairly well maintained. Plugs, cables, IAC, DPFE, EGR, EGR regulator, Fuel pump/sender, filters, etc ... have all been replaced in the past 6 mos. Until this mysterious episode began, it was running very well.

Replacing your igniton control module (ICM) should take care of your code 224. I had this one in the past. Who knows, may also take care of your other codes.

Replacing your igniton control module (ICM) should take care of your code 224.

Thanks for the info. Where did you purchase the ICM?

Thanks for the info. Where did you purchase the ICM?

I purchased mine at Napa because I think the quality of their parts are better in electronics than the other national chains. The price at Napa is higher, but I think their parts hold up in the long run. I've been running with this module well over a year now with no problems. Of course, the decision is up to you.

Well, I took a trip to the local parts stores ... that ICM is pricey, but all auto electrics are getting that way. I decided to do a bit more checking before purchasing.

During the visit, I discovered that this engine is more '94 than '95.

I cleared the codes and took another test drive. The check engine light finally came on ... and then went back out. (The engine was running not as roughly as it has been ... but not good).

When I read the codes after the run, there was 111 (expected), 224 (just like before) and also a new one: 452 ("no input from Vehicle Speed Sensor").

Is there a separate VSS on this (4 cyl, 5 spd) truck? I would have expected such on an automatic, but on a manual 2.3 ???

Do you think code 452 is referring to the Crankshaft Position Sensor?

Thanks for any info.

Well, I took a trip to the local parts stores ... that ICM is pricey, but all auto electrics are getting that way. I decided to do a bit more checking before purchasing.

During the visit, I discovered that this engine is more '94 than '95.

I cleared the codes and took another test drive. The check engine light finally came on ... and then went back out. (The engine was running not as roughly as it has been ... but not good).

When I read the codes after the run, there was 111 (expected), 224 (just like before) and also a new one: 452 ("no input from Vehicle Speed Sensor").

Is there a separate VSS on this (4 cyl, 5 spd) truck? I would have expected such on an automatic, but on a manual 2.3 ???

Do you think code 452 is referring to the Crankshaft Position Sensor?

Thanks for any info.

According to my manual, there is a VSS on the vehicle. It's located on the rear extension of the transmission on the driver side. It should be a two wire connector to the sensor. The sensor is a permanent magnet variable-reluctance type which generates an AC voltage to the PCM. The PCM then converts this voltage to a digital signal which is used for the fuel management on manual transmissions and calculating shift points for automatics. If you have a data scanner, you can monitor the MPH as you're driving. Here is an article about VSS's...

http://www.wellsmfgcorp.com/counterpoints/Counterpoint4_2.pdf

It sounds like you got two different problems. Yes, the ICM isn't cheap as you've already found out.

Thanks very much! With this info, maybe I can "zero in".

Thanks very much! With this info, maybe I can "zero in".

Keep us informed of your progress and hope you get it repaired.

STUZMAN, YOU'RE BATTING 1000!

Just like you said, the VSS is in the tranny extension. The two conductors were snapped in-two. Perhaps road debris. A small soldering job and that code 452 was taken care off.

I tried removing the old ICM and repasteing the silicone base. No Go! Still got the code 224. So next I shelled out the bucks for a new ICM.

SUCCESS!

Thanks again!

STUZMAN, YOU'RE BATTING 1000!

Just like you said, the VSS is in the tranny extension. The two conductors were snapped in-two. Perhaps road debris. A small soldering job and that code 452 was taken care off.

I tried removing the old ICM and repasteing the silicone base. No Go! Still got the code 224. So next I shelled out the bucks for a new ICM.

SUCCESS!

Thanks again!

Well 12Ounce, I'm sure you feel pretty good about getting your vehicle repaired. Glad to help you out!

Well, the joy was short-lived. But your foresight is still intact!

It was convenient for me to buy the ICM at AdvanceAuto. I paid approx $138 for a "Sorenson" unit with a limited life-time warranty. It lasted approx 24 hrs and provided some 200 miles of service. It performed superbly until the infant mortality set in ... an abrupt stop.

I was "snake bit". The lifetime warranty meant little to me. I did not want to try a second "Sorenson", but knowing full well that the first failed unit may have just been a fluke ... I just did not want to try another. To their credit, AdvanceAuto returned the money without a quibble.

I gave a call to Ford, they quoted $23O. I drove to NAPA, they quoted $248 for an "Echlin" with a one year warranty. Stunned, I recalled Ford and ended up with a Motorcraft for just under $200 (txs incld). I fiqure the original Motorcraft went over 10 years and 230k miles ... hopefully this second one will do OK.

Time will tell.

I don't think my badly scraped fingers will take another ICM removal/installation anytime soon.

Well, the joy was short-lived. But your foresight is still intact!

It was convenient for me to buy the ICM at AdvanceAuto. I paid approx $138 for a "Sorenson" unit with a limited life-time warranty. It lasted approx 24 hrs and provided some 200 miles of service. It performed superbly until the infant mortality set in ... an abrupt stop.

I was "snake bit". The lifetime warranty meant little to me. I did not want to try a second "Sorenson", but knowing full well that the first failed unit may have just been a fluke ... I just did not want to try another. To their credit, AdvanceAuto returned the money without a quibble.

I gave a call to Ford, they quoted $23O. I drove to NAPA, they quoted $248 for an "Echlin" with a one year warranty. Stunned, I recalled Ford and ended up with a Motorcraft for just under $200 (txs incld). I fiqure the original Motorcraft went over 10 years and 230k miles ... hopefully this second one will do OK.

Time will tell.

I don't think my badly scraped fingers will take another ICM removal/installation anytime soon.

Yes, the price for OEM is higher, but in the long run, it's worth it. Remember, when you buy OEM especially when it comes to electronics, it only hurts one time.