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No Spark Problem


smudvapor

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I have an 88 Ranger 2.9 twd 5 speed. I was driving home from work the other day and drove over some train tracks and the engine died. I have no spark. I tested the coil and it is good. (also tried another coil just for fun). I have power to everything else and the fuel pump is running. I have checked wiring and did the "wiggle test" while turning the engine over and still no spark. Anyone got any ideas?
 


IIBRONCOS

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You have 12 volts at the red wire terminal to the coil ? I had both red and black wires to the coil had all strands broken internally, so no spark. How's you ignition control module ?
 

smudvapor

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My credo
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You have 12 volts at the red wire terminal to the coil ? I had both red and black wires to the coil had all strands broken internally, so no spark. How's you ignition control module ?
I have power to the coil, I didn't have a way to test the ignition control module but I swapped it for another one that I know worked and still nothing. I can't find any obvious broken wires. This really stumps me.
 

cp2295

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My 2.9 did the same thing, well i was wheeling, hit a bump and it died-no spark. Changed the coil plugs wires ignition module. Went to change the cap and rotor and found the rotor busted off and the pickup coil floating around. Changed the distributor and all was good, good luck


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smudvapor

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My credo
"Lets stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities."
Well I did all the simple stuff like check voltages, ignition module, and cap and rotor. I have another distributor so I guess my next step is to swap it and see what happens. It has been down for a month because of the weather. I have so many projects taking up space in the garage that I can't put my truck in it to work on so I have been doing it in the driveway and old man winter has not been doing me any favors.
 

smudvapor

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My credo
"Lets stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities."
Help!

I put another distributor in today and still not spark. What the heck! I am at a loss, I have checked everything that I know how to do. Anybody?
 
Last edited:

adsm08

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Have you run through the TFI diagnostic sheet in the tech library?
 

smudvapor

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My credo
"Lets stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities."
Have you run through the TFI diagnostic sheet in the tech library?
Long story short, I herniated a disc in my back and I am just now able to get back at my Ranger.

I did the TFI worksheet and when I test the on number 6 I barely get any voltage at the coil pin. Up till that point, everything checks out.
 

rusty ol ranger

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My ranger did something similar. It was the green wire rotted 1/2 off then broke inside the coil connector.
 

smudvapor

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2WD
My credo
"Lets stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities."
I keep looking at everything over and over and I can't seem to find what is wrong. I keep thinking something broke or came loose somewhere because when it lost spark I was driving home from work and I ran over some train tracks. As soon as I hit the tracks the truck died.
 

rusty ol ranger

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A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
I keep looking at everything over and over and I can't seem to find what is wrong. I keep thinking something broke or came loose somewhere because when it lost spark I was driving home from work and I ran over some train tracks. As soon as I hit the tracks the truck died.
Atleast there wasnt a train coming.

Check that coil connection, i didnt know mine had busted till brushed againat the wire. Rusty #1 and #2 did it.
 

2ruble

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check the kill switch in the passenger floor board, I was doing a lot of interior stuff on mine before parking and went to move it and it wouldn't crank. Remembered that little box dangling under the glove box and the button had popped out - thinking the truck overturned.
 

smudvapor

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Youngstown, Ohio
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Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
"Lets stop thinking in terms of limitations and start thinking in terms of possibilities."
check the kill switch in the passenger floor board, I was doing a lot of interior stuff on mine before parking and went to move it and it wouldn't crank. Remembered that little box dangling under the glove box and the button had popped out - thinking the truck overturned.
Thanks, I already checked that. My pump runs fine.
 

rusty ol ranger

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2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Thanks, I already checked that. My pump runs fine.
Longshot....

But check your TFI, make sure its secure. I had one rattle loose on a 300 6 once.

Also, make sure the dist cap is tight. Those can rattle loose to.
 

Paulos

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Do a wiggle test on the ignition module connector. I had one that would only work if I pulled it out a little bit so it wasn't fully seated.
 

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