Suddenly dies and no start or CEL on startup

[Dantheman1540]

I bought a 1990 2.9 auto POS for $350 from a buddy to use as a yard buggy. The trans is shot and only has two gears left but it started great and drove fine. After about a week it suddenly started to die while idling and hard start back up. Then it died and won’t start at all, and it’s not giving an engine light when turning the key on.

It has a new distributor, plugs, wires, coil, battery, and the little ignition computer that’s on the distributor. Still no spark, and no engine light during key cycle. Kinda out of ideas and everything I’ve found sorta points to a bad ecu at this point.

What do y’all think?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Id verify that the check engine light is actually even functional.

Then id pull the SPOUT connector and see if it fires.

If it dont fire id probably spend 30 bucks on an EEC IV code reader and see if something is set.

It very well could be the ECM. But thats 120 bucks that you may not need to spend

 

[Dantheman1540]

Any specific code reader you recommend? I’ll try unplugging the SPOUT in the morning

 

[RonD]

I assume other dash lights are working so not an ignition switch issue

If the CEL no longer comes on, and it did before, then computer is not powering up, so no fuel pump and no fuel injectors

Open the engine bay fuse box, EEC Relay uses a 30amp fuse, so check all the 30amp fuses, PULL THEM OUT to look at them

The EEC relay, Fuel Pump Relay and WOT relay are located under the engine bay fuse box
Seen here: https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/512072_ranger_fuel_pump_relay_1.jpg


Green base is fuel pump relay, Brown base is EEC relay, Black base is WOT relay
There is only a WOT relay if Ranger had Factory AC

When you turn the key on EEC relay should click closed, this sends 12v from that 30amp fuse thru the relay to the EEC(computer) and the fuel pump relay, and the fuel injectors


The Starter system on all Rangers thru 1998 have no connection to computer or spark
So ability to crank engine just means ignition switch is usually OK, starter relay works, starter motor works, and battery is not dead

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Any specific code reader you recommend? I’ll try unplugging the SPOUT in the morning

Google "innova EEC IV reader"

 

[Dantheman1540]

Alright I believe I found and unplugged the SPOUT connector, nothing seemed to change.

The truck does indeed have ABS light, Battery light and I think something else pop in when you turn the key so maybe the CEL is just burned out. Also the fuel pump and injectors are priming and firing just fine so it must not be a computer issues which is good news.

I’ll order that OBD1 reader now.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Yes that is indeed the SPOUT.

Have you checked the wires running to the coil plug? They like to break off inside the plug and sometimes push down into the plug and not make contact.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Yes that is indeed the SPOUT.

Have you checked the wires running to the coil plug? They like to break off inside the plug and sometimes push down into the plug and not make contact.

Haven’t yet but I will tomorrow when I’m back home.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I finally got some time to work on this turd again. However, I can’t seem to get any codes or anything from this reader on either truck. Not sure if Im hooking it up correctly or what.

 

[Angry Possum]

If I may, What does CEL stand for?
Nevermind, I just googled it..
Check Engine Light.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I finally got some time to work on this turd again. However, I can’t seem to get any codes or anything from this reader on either truck. Not sure if Im hooking it up correctly or what.

Turn key on, plug the tester in, and hold the "test" button for a second.

Or try wiggling the single wire that plugs in around.

You *may* have a failed ECM

 

[Dantheman1540]

Turn key on, plug the tester in, and hold the "test" button for a second.

Or try wiggling the single wire that plugs in around.

You *may* have a failed ECM

Well neither the truck that won’t start nor my 94 4.0 is showing any codes.

Also if the ECM is failed the full pump and injectors wouldn’t work correct?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well neither the truck that won’t start nor my 94 4.0 is showing any codes.

Also if the ECM is failed the full pump and injectors wouldn’t work correct?

depends on what failed in the ECM

@RonD

 

[RonD]

1986 thru 1994 Rangers used the EEC-IV OBD1 computers(ECM)
These only ran the fuel injection system
Spark in these years was done by totally separate systems and did not need the ECM for start up spark
TFI, ICM, and EDIS-6 were the spark systems used

If you spray fuel manually into one of these engines(50/50 test), and crank it you will find out if you have a spark or fuel issue, instantly
If engine starts, runs and dies its a fuel issue
If engine doesn't start/fire then its a spark issue
50/50

There are a few things to also do/check on a 50/50 test
With the 2.3l 4cyl, check that the timing belt is not broken
With TFI systems unplug the SPOUT for the test, SPOUT is like Vacuum spark advance, but comes from the ECM and that part of the ECM can cause too much advance for start up if its bad, longshot


To check if CEL bulb is burned out you can use the OBD1 connector
In this drawing: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75589&stc=1&d=1372230426

The Self-Test OUT is shown
If you use a jumper wire in this slot to battery negative(or any good ground) and then turn on the key the CEL Bulb should come on if its not burn out

The CEL bulb gets 12v with key on from the cluster fuse, the ECM grounds it(pin 17) after it boots up so CEL comes on with key on, the Self-Test OUT slot is that ground wire from pin 17 to Cluster
If CEL bulb does come on using the jumper but NOT without the jumper then either the pin 17 wire is broken or the ECM is which is why you can't read codes