- Joined
- Feb 21, 2024
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 4
- Points
- 3
- Location
- Oregon
- Vehicle Year
- 1986
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
I have an 86 Ranger with a random intermittent miss. This truck sat for nearly 2 years because of a problem that was diagnosed as fuel pump failure. This repair was done at a shop that I have experience with in the past and I trust their work. They replaced both fuel pumps and both fuel filters but still ran into driveability issues. This wasn't a daily driver so I made it clear that putting this on the back burner was okay with me. Over the course of time some other issues cropped up and they kept trying to get if fixed. They replaced the distributor, cap and wires as well as an O2 sensor and connector that had gotten against the exhaust. Over time I could tell they really were wanting to be rid of it so I settled the bill and barely got it home. So I discovered some issues and repaired them. The EGR system was inoperable so that all was fixed. I discovered that they had not removed the spout when they timed it and I fixed that. The thermostat was stuck open, replaced that and ECT sensor and the IAT sensors also needed replacing. Corrected some vacuum leaks. Still not getting rid of this annoying miss. Decided to make sure the the fuel system was not responsible. I forgot to mention that I had picked up an 89 2.9 complete with the tranny for a really good price that the guy had pulled out of a Ranger he bought and drove for over 2 hours to get it to his house. Lot's of spare parts on hand that I knew were good. So I cleaned the injectors from both engines and actually installed the inlectors from the other engine and then tested the electrical with noid light. Then I started on the electrical. Checked every plug wire with my DVM including the coil wire they were all okay. Used my spark tester to make sure the spark was adequate on all cylinders. The ICM that came with the distributor was faulty and I had replaced it. I still tested out the new ICM as well as the one that was on the other engine they both check out ok. JUst to cover all the bases I replaced the cap and rotor that they had installed at the shop. That's when I ran into a no spark condition. Replaced that distributor with the one from the 89 and got my spark back. While retiming I noticed timing light would flicker and it corresponded with miss at idle speeds. I moved the time light over to cylinder 2 and same thing so I move it over to the coil wire and hooked up my spark tester to #2 and I got intermittent flickering of the timing light that corresponded to temporary spark loss at the spark tester. I just finished following the instructions explictly on trouble shooting the ignition system. Everything passed. I then tested the thje wiring that goes from the coil, to the ICM and to the ECM and could not find any issues in regards to continuity. Wiggled wires arounfd as best I could and didn't see any changes in resistance values. Basically, what I'm saying is I used two different coils, two different distributors, two differnt ICM's and yes I bought a different ECM as well, so two of those with no improvement in my spark loss. What should I look at next. I think the only part of the circuit not checked was wiring to and fron the inition switch. I need help. Just a little more history on the truck my Dad bought in in 1993 and it has been in the family since then. My sister had it, my brother had it, my youngest son had it and as soon as I get it fixed It will to my daughter.