'96 ranger wiring diagram or shop manual

[Jdunham]

I have just purchased a 1996 ford ranger from my neighbor. I got it running (sat for 2 years) and its moving well enough...but i want to really get in and make is smooth. for this i need to know more about the vehicle and the owner's manual is nearly useless. where should i be looking for a good shop manual and a wiring diagram?

when i first got it going, it had no power, would barely get moving on a flat, 2 of the 6 plugs were black and wet so i assumed it was not firing. i replaced all 6 and it now seems to have the power. there was backfire so fuel was going to those cylinders. would misfiring account for the low power and is the spark plug change a temp fix or is there a bigger problem. this is my first experience with this vehicle. all of my previous work has been with older (pre computer control system) vehicles.

[Davescort97]

Well, you can't beat a Haynes manual for usable information at a fair price. They run about $16 and have all the wiring diagrams.. You could get a factory service manual through the big on-line auction site. I got one for my Escort for $20. It covers everything and is about as thick as a New York phone book.

The misfiring could be from bad wires and plugs to defective valves. I would replace the wires along with the plugs. The improved ignition will go a long ways towards reseating any marginal valves. You say the engine is backfiring? Other than a mechanical problem it could be the timing is advanced too much and is firing before the intake valves fully close.

Misfiring would account for the low power. I would say the plugs would be a temporary fix if the ignition wires were not replaced, too. I don't see it as needing any engine work. Just needs a good set of wires and plugs. If it sat for 2 years it probably not only needs plugs and wires, but an oil change and an air intake filter. I would drive it for about 100 miles, then change the oil and filter.

[comp]

any update info ??