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2.3 no spark


Derick

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I picked up an 83 ranger not running. it has a 2.3 motor, manual trans. I put a spark plug in the high voltage wire from the coil, no spark. Bench tested the coil, .9 ohms on the primary coils and 7.79k ohms on the secondary. I could get the coil to spark on the bench. when it is in the truck it has power to the coil but is only 7 volts. I am thinking the ICM, but not sure how to test. I am getting frustrated and any help would be great.
 


RonD

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Welcome to TRS :)

Yes, key on voltage at the coil would be under 8volts, thats normal, system uses a Ballast Resistor to lower the 12v at the coil, makes coil last longer when engine is running at 14volts
When you turn the key to START you should see 10+ volts at the coil, there is another wire that bypass's the Ballast Resistor when key is in START, But.......starter motor draws down battery voltage about 2 volts, so 10v not 12v

You can hot wire the coil, 12v direct from battery to "+" terminal, will not hurt anything
That would check if bypass wiring is not working

Remove distributor cap and look at the rotor, crank the engine and see if it turns
More than a few, myself included, just assume timing belt is OK
If it breaks then no spark because distributor isn't turning
 

Derick

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Thanks ron. the timing belt is ok, and the distributor rotor is spinning. I will put a jumper to the coil and see if that does anything, but I think the coil is ok. I tested for power at the icm with the key on, and I have no power at the two wire plug (red and white wire), the only power is on a green wire on the 4 wire plug. I put a jumper to the red wire on the 2 wire plug and still no spark. I am thinking an icm or ignition switch problem, but still cant quite figure it out, and don't want to just throw parts at it.
 

Derick

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Had the Ignition control module tested at the auto parts store and was bad, Put a new one in and now have spark. Yay!
 

RonD

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Good work :icon_thumby:

Thanks for posting the fix
 

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