We FIXED The $300 Ford Ranger And It Doesn't Make ANY SENSE

[@alpaljl]

I'm really happy you worked on this Ranger. My dad got his 1992 Ranger as a one-year old truck. We still have it to this day. Great truck. 4 cyl, 5 speed :) It's stupid reliable.

[@ChurchOfChristguyRob]

Probably one of the best small trucks ever made incredibly reliable

[@JohnathanRalston]

Top 3 all time ...91 Toyota .94 ranger XLT 4.0 and grave digger

[@randallsmith7124]

had a '91 Ranger... same configuration... 2.3L dual plug, 5 speed standard cab short bed XLT. Great little truck. Drove it cross-country 5 times. You're right... they're a great little truck. No significant power to speak of, but always ran great. Never had a SPOUT connector issue with mine. Bought it 6 years old with 100k miles on it for $2000. Drove it another 7 years & 92k miles, & sold it for $1500.

[@jeffreyfitchett3197]

I recently bought the same model truck, but a 94, for 200 bucks. Been going through the exact same stuff. Great videos!

[@dave1135]

Like I said, days ago, those had module problems. The SPOUT connector keeps the module from handling the timing control over to the ecm. Unplug the spout and the module runs on base time

[@collinklitz7434]

I think it might be the TFI module

[@albertcastle7786]

So changing that module should be the fix? I don't know anything and I'm a nobody but I need these videos to learn thanks to everyone.... so I'm wrong.... Thanks for ur input guys....

[@keith_5584]

Hey Remember on that first video when we all said the computer wasnt taking over? +1 to OP

[@isaiahwelch8066]

@@albertcastle7786 : Actually, cleaning up the grounds and heat sink could fix it, if an auto parts store bench test has it come back okay. Just be warned: Removal of an ignition module off of the intake manifold can be not worth it, if the bolts that hold it on are corroded beyond repair. They are also very easy to strip the heads on as well.

[@DoctorStig-vd1uf]

I’ll offer you a 1 ounce hand sanitizer and 10 cups of ramen for this truck. Lol

[@WatchJRGo]

Looking for minimum 1 pallet TP 😛

[@DoctorStig-vd1uf]

WatchJRGo I can meet half way with one of those comically huge TP rolls from Charmin lol

[@jeffmeakin]

I got your pallet of tp

[@Bizones16]

Don't forget the toilet paper ! (Since some idiot out there has stock piled 1 million rolls.)

[@B0xlife1]

@@Bizones16 lol that's what this whole thread was about... Tp =toilet paper. :-D

[@AncientAudiophile]

The real joy of getting something working is the main thing. It does not depend if it really makes sense financially to make this kind of repair. Keep on going!

[@1961nuffield]

Perhaps the lower timing sensor has the wiring mixed up when they soldered it in.

[@quentinc1275]

10:36 that wire loom is really close to that belt might wanna find a cover or move that before something bad happens

[@loganarzuaga8316]

There is normally a cover on the timing belt so it doesn't touch

[@austinkelly2807]

"He got it FIXED? Guess i better stop everything I'm doing to figure out how."

[@WatchJRGo]

It's okay, we still don't know how... but 99% sure it's a failed ECU 😂

[@davidgallego2854]

@@WatchJRGo first thing I said Jr go!

[@suzieseabee]

Why don't you fix the video volume so we might be able to hear it

[@suzieseabee]

My bad your good my phone is the problem

[@Highspeedoffset1]

@@WatchJRGo Did you check the wiring on the return side of the spout?

[@bgoins12]

Bad EEC is very common in these. I chased a driveability issue on my 97 with the 2.3 for a year before I finally replaced the EEC. Problems all went away and it ran WAY better.

[@marcswanson7066]

I also own a 93 2.3 Ranger. It just happens to be same color (except for your replacement hood). My coolant gauge has always indicated barely warm even when the engine reaches the normal operating temperature of 193 degrees Fahrenheit. Early on I contacted the previous owner but he assured me that it's normal and not to worry about it. Last spring I decided to replace the thermostat anyway. I ended up having to remove the fan, fan housing, and upper coolant hose in order to provide working room. The first attempt was a complete failure. The truck ran icy cold. I don't know how often this is the case, but the funky thermostat housing also needed to be replaced at the same time in order for the new thermostat to seat properly. I recommend that people replace both parts to save time. With the fan removed for the second time, I decided to also replace the fan clutch as preventative maintenance. That job doesn't take long. By the way, there was no change in the temperature gauge reading afterwards but it did provide some peace of mind. The driver side spark plugs are hidden under the intake manifold, fuel injector rail, and part of the wiring harness. Some are much harder to get to than others. The job of replacing plugs on that side is so difficult, in fact, that my shop manual recommends removing all the stuff blocking the way first. Wow, are you kidding me? It would be nice if someone posted a clear video on either how to remove the intake manifold and fuel injector rail or how to go about replacing the plugs with the least amount of hassle. There are some videos but I found them so murky and incomplete that they were useless.

[@jetjazz05]

Magical fix... still sounds electrical to me. In fact now that I'm thinking back to my brother in law's Ranger I believe he got the wiring harness too close to the exhaust manifold and it melted some of the wires into a chunk. Most of the wires stays separate, but a couple melted enough to touch intermittently.

[@Bird76Mojo76]

I still say check ALL the ground connections on the entire truck. Remove them all, clean all the spots where they connect with sandpaper, use some dielectric grease, and reconnect them. It can make a huge difference in reliability on these trucks. The ECU uses grounds to switch circuitry on/off...

[@Fit4C]

Jesus loves you alot trust in His death 4 salvation and be saved from eternal hell

[@C0Y0TE5]

@@Fit4CJesus is a modern made-up name that did not exist even 500 years ago. In fact the letter "J" is a relatively recent invention.

[@Brew6069]

Dam thank you for someone showing me wear the spout is !! Looked at tones of other videos nothing . But yours helped me a lot !!!! Thank you again!!!!! Paid 300$ for my 1993 Ford Ranger 2.3

[@emeyer6963]

Makes me miss my 93'.Same color but long bed.Leased it for 2 years back in the day when I was selling new Ford's.Never had any problems with it.Wish I would of kept it!Little Pinto motor came a long way from the 70's.Dual plug head was a cool trick to squeeze a few more ponies out of the coral and also burned cleaner.Was also the 1st American engine designed with metric parts in this country when it was introduced for the 1974 model Mustang 2 and Pinto.Nice job getting it back going JR.

[@billnalder1017]

I am an avid fan of crime shows, this 'Who Done It' topped them all!

[@WatchJRGo]

😂 OBD1 did it, I always blame that junk

[@billnalder1017]

@@WatchJRGo Well it was an awesome journey, who woulda thunk!

[@greathornedowl3644]

Congrats on getting Ford Danger running. Ironically as you were checking out parts I noticed how garage roof was framed, beams run lengthwise (long ways) instead of crossways (short ways).

[@JacobWolfe3]

Watching this made me miss my 82 ranger. Same set up. The sold it to me because after he got the motor rebuilt he couldn't get it to stop leaking oil. I towed it home and immediately found the valve cover bolts were finger loose. I put a new gasket in it a pcv and filters. It took me another 100,000 miles before I sold it to a guy for $1,000. All I did was keep up on maintenance. It's still running to this day.

[@danperkins2430]

I’m guessing that you could have a couple sticking valves. They hang up until you advance the timing and then they’re ok. Drive it for 50 mi with sea foam in the oil then change it with synthetic oil and call it a day.

[@drost582]

The other spout connector changes the computer strategies for higher octane fuel. Common to unplug it when you have spark knock problems. You might have a Ignition module going bad.

[@WatchJRGo]

We did try a brand new ignition module, no change (with and without the SPOUT connector, you can see the old one pop back in during the video) 😬

[@drost582]

WatchJRGo I used to work at Ford dealer until 2004, retired. My old mind remembers pulling spouts on no starts as part of flat rate diagnostics. But can’t remember the rest. Thinking it was something easy to repair. In eastern Canada those trucks are long rusted out and gone. It was a common problem at one time.

[@collinklitz7434]

@@drost582 It may be a bad TFI module. It is located on the back of the distributor.

[@isaiahwelch8066]

@@collinklitz7434 : TFI isnt used on a 1989-1998 truck, as EFI and DIS replaced carburetors and distributor ignitions in the same year. What you're referring to is a bad Ignition Control Module, located on the front of the intake manifold. And yes, those modules are known for having casing issues, corrosion, and grounding problems, because of the engine heat under the hood.

[@The_Future_isnt_so_Bright]

The TFI module next to radiator ( on some models) is malfunctioning. If you still have issues with it not warming up, the impeller on water pump needs to be checked. I've been dealing with these engines for ages. Always the same issues. Here is something for you to wrap your head around, Do both spark plugs fire on the same cylinder or does the spark get wasted on the exhaust stroke on the other cylinder? For those who don't know, these engines have 8 spark plugs.

[@williamangel4370]

Posted for 1 hour 13k views damn this channel is getting big... Been here since damn near the beginning... Keep it up

[@AdamIsUrqed]

I had a '96 4.0 automatic. Purchased in '98 with 27k miles, ran to the ground at 332k miles. Engine was a beast, especially considering my lack of taking care of it. It should have died around 220k tops. Only had to replace front left caliper and solenoid, thermostat, tensioner pulley and belt, starter, tires a few times, and battery twice. Had it 11 years, and it saw 34 states.

[@JohnMiller-zn9pf]

Love this gen ranger. No more truck than you need, plenty of power for its size

[@germanium1872]

I knew you guys couldn’t be defeated, I loved the ranger series. I like to see a challenge.

[@CarswithNash]

I would totally put a switch in.👍 Excited for the upcoming Ford truck vids.

[@michiganborn8303]

Good job getting it back to life. My first new vehicle was a 1994 Ranger XL. Had the same color as the hood on your '93.

[@mechtechtools77]

Did you check coolant temp sensor? When I use to work on Genie boom lifts, with 2.3L ford engine, it was common to have a no start due to a faulty coolant temp sensor

[@84gssteve]

Worked on an early 90's E-250 once that confounded me to no end. The entire ignition system replaced, TFI module, several sensors, fuel system gone through......just, no start-no-how........ended up being a bad ECU, which was surprisingly cheap from Napa.

[@michaelmcclain9702]

The 2.3l ohc Lima engine thats came in the rangers of that generation are 1 of fords most reliable engines ford made. The oil pump is the back bone of that motor. Superior oil lubrication is the factor of their longevity

[@OGJD1984]

I was going to say I had a 1991 explorer that had all kinds of strange problems like this. After trying all kinds of things for years we finally figured out the ECU circuit board was all corroded on the back side. Replaced it and sold the thing. It's still driving around town now.

[@dominicene3647]

I couldn't wait to watch and hear what the fix was! It wasn't clear but I'm thinking you said you will replace the ECU

[@TheRazor375]

Already said days ago unplug the SPOUT connector. Timing advance is NOT controlled by the ICM, its controlled by the main computer receiving the PIP signal. Replacing the ECU can still not be the problem. The problem can be the PIP sensor inside the distributor, solved by replacing the distributor.

[@Unclejake]

Ford had 2 different ICMs during the OBD1 years, gray and black (you can look it up, thousands of blogs sites) Sometimes both ICMs in the same model year, but the ECU works differently depending on the ICM. An issue with part stores is they all make gray ones, so if you go to OReiley or NAPA...they just come in gray. If the spout connector removed is allowing the car to run, you might have the wrong ICM, because the spout operation is different for each one. If you decide to trouble shoot deeper, I would recommenced you look up the correct ICM using the serial number of your ECU, and go with a genuine motorcraft part to ensure it’s the correct ICM. Oh...and another ford idea...there is a special thin wall socket to fit inside the ICM to remove it from the heat sink. Good luck!

[@uncleronny6748]

Yeah, no shit! Had to grind a socket to get that twerp ICM off me Aero1star.

[@andrewhillman9632]

Josh... Smells like Pennzoil, Car Wzard licks the dipstick, nope Valvoline, licks a second time...yup 20W-50. Great video, love the Josh GoPro out the window action shot!

[@WatchJRGo]

Car lubricants are an acquired taste, I prefer Motul for the color! 😂

[@catholicguy1000]

Bought my ranger for 200. 00 from a buddy of mine bright it back from the dead and he is amazed how it fixed it up

[@TheRazor375]

When you unplug the SPOUT connector you are literally unplugging the connection between the ICM and ECM. It bypasses the main computer. The ECM sends the dwell times to the ICM and it reacts to it by firing the ignition coil on time and gives the coil time to recharge. The reason it fails is because if timing advance is incorrect then the ignition coil cannot maintain a consistent spark and the truck will not run.

[@collinklitz7434]

I think it might be the TFI module

[@jr540123]

Gut it and slap Fitech on it. Spend less time and money doing that than fixings fords retarded EFI. I've fought it before. Shits evil. I ain't got time for evil.

[@TheRazor375]

Say what you want about Ford early EFI and TFI systems but when they work, no one has any complaints. Even Ford TTB axels provide a really smooth ride when they have their issues sorted out.

[@jr540123]

@@TheRazor375 TTB is one thing. EFI after 20 plus years is another. That random if eats at people worse than a ball joint.

[@phordguy]

Check the cam timing, they can jump a tooth If push started. Injector drivers in the ecu might be toasty as well. Good luck

[@chrismoore5436]

You are the best man!!! You inspire me to flip!! Please keep up all the great videos I’ve been Watching everything!

[@kenberscheit948]

rangers are good for 500k miles as long as you maintain them ,change oil regularly

[@zerocool6370]

I have an 09 ranger not super surprised on how little things have changed (mine is the 5 speed manual with the 2.3 as well)

[@lyndonwhitfield1151]

Grounds? I have found on fords of that time a lot of times cleaning and inspecting the connections made the fix last longer. The gremlins have driven me crazy over the years, grounds are the first thing I check now. the small ground wire off the battery has a connection that looks like a fusible link. also if it has battery clamps replaced , folks seem to like to disconnect the frame ground lug on the wire to get a little more length to the wire. The bad grounds can cause weird / non working fuel gauge, tail lights, turn signals and other assorted intermittent weirdness.

[@hb5914]

What company did you “special order” your ECU from? Thank you.

[@billkrause4585]

You guys are good at what you do. My compliments. Hey, someone will have a good work truck for transportation.

[@RollingWithTerry]

Its called it's a ford syndrome. This happens when the truck figures out it is a ford. Now don't worry it's easy to fix: Step 1 remove the ford badging. Step 2 replace them with Toyota badging. Step 3 clap 4 times. Step 4 say "Boom done". After you complete these steps the truck will come to life. Defiantly thing the ECU is shot good work man keep it up

[@masterxiong7368]

Nice little series. Keep up the good work

[@bman420ism]

Just started following the channel when you started this truck. I have to say i really enjoy the videos and you've got a new subscriber!! Great content :)

[@anthonyflinchum2174]

Went down this exact same rabbit hole with my '93 Ranger about year ago. Long story short, both coil packs are bad. This engine is twin plug head. It has separate coils for each bank of plugs. One or both will be used at different times depending on engine speed, load, and temp. All controlled by the ICM. The truck runs without the SPOUT because it's in default setting, using both coils and banks of plugs at the same time. When running like this each coil pack picks up where the other one is not giving a strong enough spark. One plug will fire where the other in the same cylinder will not, allowing the engine to run.

[@BustedGeezerGarage]

Ford went OBDII in 1995 & 1/2. This is when they got the capability to read data from the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) via a scan tool. The pre-OBDII was flash codes that read through the dash MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) and could be initialized by a jumper under the hood or with a code reader that used the same connector's. The symptom that is being experienced by that old Ranger is most likely a bad MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor. The same issue is common in most MAF cars and trucks. Runs crappy or will not start with the SPOUT connector plugged in. Unplug the SPOUT connector and it starts and runs. When the SPOUT connector is unplugged the engine runs in Open Loop Mode and the timing is fixed at 10 degrees BTDC. That is why it starts and runs but has poor acceleration and overall performance. In this mode of operation the Air/Fuel ratio is also fixed and ignores the Oxygen Sensor input.

[@jeesmith99]

Please need to see a Ranger clean episode

[@marcusrogel2478]

Yooo this is my truck, that's awesome to seee the last owner!

[@shawincarter871]

Glad you got it fixed it looks just like my!!

[@superguard1]

I had a 91 Ranger with a similar problem right after Superstorm Sandy, drove me crazy. Could figure it out to saver my life. Pulled air cleaner and it ran great, idle a little high but ran. Looked more into it and ended up getting MAF cleaner, sprayed it down and the thing ran great afterwards

[@WatchJRGo]

Nice! I clean a lot of MAFs around here, if nothing else it’s a good maintenance item 🍻

[@richardotero2376]

Same

[@sawinredneck]

Well, I was wrong, I'll own it! I honestly thought the cat converter was it. On the actual problem, I'm not sure in this one, but a friend had one around that era, bought it brand new and it had similar issues, turned out the ECU was mounted under the dash and one of the pinch welds was leaking letting water run into the the ECU and shorting it out. The dealership ended up giving him another truck. Might be worth a look at the connectors? Also, Ford Motorsports used to sell a camshaft for these, I put one in my '94 2.3l, really opens them up around town, lots more low end and driveable power, it still sucked on the highway, but a good city truck.

[@ellsworthadkison9412]

Friggin lost it at "I know what I've got" lmao

[@harlemsteve]

The Ford Ranger was quite interested. I love when it come to troubleshoot. that was my favorite show like a mystery movie

[@golfgolf7692]

Thanks for the content as well. much appreciated normality. out here in the bay area people are acting as if the world is ending not just interrupted. keep it up!!! Buy a lexus is300!!!

[@C0Y0TE5]

See that spaghetti wiring barfing out of the dash? That is prob the source of the issue. I have seen remote start installations do weird stuff like that. -- Oh and I want to say I am proud of U guys for buying trouble-shooting fixing and selling. I used to do that back in the day of the Gremlin and 67 Firebirds. Esp. proud that U share your knowledge and experiences! -- Good job!

[@stephenmorrish]

I wish you could get a truck like that here in the UK. Everything of this vintage in this rundown state is rusty as hell. The idea of getting a truck in this condition and price that you could make reasonably reliable for a low cost just can't happen when rust is a factor. The frame would be crusty with so many holes to patch, you have to have some good steel to weld too!

[@tonywalker9837]

keep up the videos JR we need the distraction right now..:)

[@amingire837]

I have Mazda 1994 it is like the one you pay for the three hundred and I ah e problem exactly as you did I take three Machanic I towed three times they all told me to take my truck I did it want to Junked any way I watch your video and I got it from you to fix my truck and I really really greatly appreciated for that video you was great help and did you save me a lot of money Thank you

[@frankdavidson9675]

ive got a 53 dodge 3/4 ton truck ( m37 ) army truck runs like a top im 86 yrs old still love to tinker with every day its built like a tank also has pto winch 7500 lbs pullin power

[@bradcox4541]

I’m thinking it’s a partially sheared woodruff key at the crank. I would check the alignment of both the crank and cam sprockets to their respective shafts then set the timing again.

[@Stayhigh-fz2po]

Is there a hole in the frame on the drivers side rear under the bed? My grandpa had a ranger just like that and I’ve been looking for it for months

[@jerryberryhill3619]

Does that engine have a 2 piece harmonic balancer? If it does the outer ring could have rotated enough to throw off the timing.

[@benflammer7217]

I just bought a project ranger for $350 with a brand new battery. It's a 1996 Supercab XLT 3.0. Runs and drives fine, but been giving codes that prevent it from passing california smog. Sad that so many fine cars and trucks get junked in this state because those smog laws. 😪

[@GodWasAnAlien]

Checked the position sensors? Crank/Cam? Sometimes they can go out without going all the way out. Sometimes they need adjustment.

[@PickupsAreNotTrucks]

I had a little old Ranger like that. Best vehicle I ever owned. I’d have snatched that thing up in a hurry for $300. Not that I need a forth pickup parked in the yard, but damn those little Rangers are sweet!

[@fatboyshadetree5139]

My Ranger always ran a bit cold. But I never had issue with that part(Spout). Mine has 323K on it. Not a typo. It's parked right now awaiting a suspension/brake/body mount rebuild. Then going to put a newer motor and trans in it. Then its my son's. He was brought home from the hospital in it. He's 15 now. Gonna keep an eye out for other rangers that dont run just for parts.

[@QB89Dragon]

Just pop the top on that ECU and replace the capacitors. If the capacitance or capacitor's ESR (equivalent series resistance) has drifted due to age, it could be throwing off the ECU in some way or another that makes symptoms such as this. Might as well try the 50 cent fix first.

[@QB89Dragon]

Eyyy. Found an article mentioning the '93 ranger and capacitors in the ECU causing this kind of problem. Called it! www.tinkerandfiddlewith.com/ranger.htm

[@gtd6288]

The obvious solution is to put an on/off dash switch to the SPOUT connector. Or buy a new PCM like everybody in comments says it needs. For a Ranger, really, either option is fine. It's a ranger. Make it run and do things. EDIT: Just saw you got a PCM on order, good job doing it right.

[@isaiahwelch8066]

A 1993 Ranger doesn't have a PCM. It has an Ignition Control Module that controls ignition timing from the ECM.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

I wonder if the bad ECC in these would be due to bad-old capacitors?

[@360plussynthetics]

Sweet! What is the "code reader" you have? I know there's no obd port, wish there was. I have a 93 also but with the 3.0l 5spd. These are definitely fun trucks to run around.

[@constable9793]

The timing mark can be right on but still be off one tooth in relation to the cam and still run. It's not fixed.

[@ricochetey]

So what do you do to solve the problem? Pull the distributor?

[@CuddleClanYT]

Exactly, seems like he said in the first video that timing was just changed, it’s simple and doesn’t take no time , should have checked it long ago.

[@Andyandcars]

Needs a cam/crank correlation between the two done with a scope and make sure aftermarket crank sensor is going all the way to ground

[@justinhill8371]

For one I dont have a dizzy 2 it don't have a cam sensor either just a cps aftermarket cps are junk u have buy a good brand one or it won't read right very possible what it is and to check timing simple pull the cover off

[@Thundarr995]

I always buy broke down vehicles cheap and fix them. I bought my cream puff 93 Explorer for $500. It ended up needing a CPU. I bought a pretty nice 97 S10 4.3L manual transmission. It needed a transmission & clutch. I got that for $700. Spent $800 to fix it. I could have fixed it cheaper but I don't like using the cheapest parts. And I replaced the engine & transmission mounts. They both drive good,been driving them for 4 and 6 years now. At least they are paid for. Both have nice paint,no dents and good interiors. The Explorer had 120k on it and the Chevy had 175k on the clock.

[@CarCustodian]

The last video someone commented on it being a possible factory alarm issue, and this looks like he was on the right trail.

[@JeffLMisc]

that's a wierd one... sounds like the TFI (ignition) module then, usually when they go they just go. it could also be a wiring issue somewhere, but usually the TFI module will get really hot if it's bad. The TFI module is the one that used to be on the distributor on the older ones, but moved to a little aluminum block on the inner fender. Also, 5.0L EEC IV v8's from that era swap into those trucks very easily, and the wiring harness will plug in if you get another truck harness :)

[@Bfocus23]

So it’s like automatic timing unplugging and plugging does the car have to be running or not

[@tonyb392]

I've got two 94's and a 96 that I'm putting in a 2.5 Great videos as always. I would have sent you an ECU. You're right, they usually run forever, but sorely lacking power.

[@youngreaperman]

I'm currently having this problem with my 94 ranger it was running fine but one day to another it died and wouldn't start. Do you know what could it be ?

[@ajw828]

Knew you'd get it running! Great work.

[@williamlewis5326]

They usually have a coolant temp sender issue. it tells the puter to run rich as it indicates cold. makes them slow and suck gas. checking the thermostat is a good idea but replace the sender too.

[@reelwhitecrippl888-braaapp8]

Yo did yall try fuel system relay rest under the kick Panel on passiger side interior???

[@nikitaoake123]

Better be bringing one of those to your future shop.

[@basso83w]

Have you checked the timing belt for damage? Had this same engine and could never get it to run right. Turns out that the timing belt had a bad spot and it was slapping the crank sensor. Replaced the belt and problem went away.

[@theunexpectedmechanic4684]

What was that scanner device you said read the codes? I want one of those for my old Ford

[@ProducerLare]

10:53 😳 _”...this should only take a couple seconds (to change out the thermostat)...”_ 😳 😱Famous Last Words!😱 (at least 99% of the time for me anyways🤣) glad it worked out for you guys tho!👍👍

[@snoopy5736]

All of a sudden you have a broken thermostat housing bolt

[@ProducerLare]

Snoopy 😱Right!😱 It’s _always_ the LAST bolt you go to work on too!🤬

[@Rebel9668]

Weird. A little over a year ago I got a '98 Ranger with the 2.5 in the same color for free! All I had to do was to change out the slave cylinder. Since ya have to drop the whole transmission to change it I decided to put a whole new clutch kit and a new rear main seal in as well. Only has 139, 500 miles on it right now and runs like a top.

[@jonathanjones4125]

This may already have been answered, but what was exactly wrong with the truck? What did you have to fix. Thx

[@shortieaustin5211]

Bad coolant temp sensor? That will throw cold start timing off and it wont start because the ecu won't send the right signals not knowing the temperature. The obd1 fords were very stupid like that. I have been through it more than once where the temp sensor caused a no start. It's not set in stone thats your problem but im willing to bet you a pallet of angel soft and 100 bucks it is...😁 could be the ecu as well. But im kinda leaning at the temp sensor.

[@1BlackopsGuru]

nice job getting it running but may i suggest a spray bottle with gas instead of starting fluid next time :)

[@AL_SD]

Well we have a sheltered in place order where i live for the next 3 weeks any chance you can upload 2 videos a day to keep us entertained? 😂

[@joblessalex]

If only you knew.....

[@isaiahwelch8066]

My diagnosis? You've got either a bad Ignition Module (located on the intake manifold, which can get corroded or have grounding issues), or a bad coil pack. The reason why the engine sounds the way it does when you restart it, is very simple: The engine is "loping," which would indicate that half of your cylinders aren't getting spark when the ECU is controlling the truck. Usually that indicates a wiring issue between the ignition module and the primary coil pack, as the secondary coil pack has a much weaker spark. What I would do to isolate the issue is switch the coil packs around, and see if the problem goes away. If yes, then your problem is a coil pack with a too-high resistance value, which is common, given that those coil packs sit right above the exhaust. If no, then the ignition module is bad, and needs replacing, as the signal from the ECU, through the module, through the coil, and through the plugs, hasn't changed, even though which coil pack being used as the primary coil pack is. There is also a chance both coil packs could have high resistance values. But given that the truck runs with no problems with that connector out at base timing, my suspicion is the ignition module, in that its shorting out half of the cylinders when that connector is plugged in.

[@snowyowl7042]

Congrats on figuring it out, now you know why former owner threw in towel. Got it running, Im going to buy a lottery ticket.

[@philward7130]

I must have missed something but if the problem is in the ignition why does it continue to run when you use starting fluid?

[@brittanymccranie8023]

Did the SPOUT issue stem from the ECM being bad or did you change it just to change it? Having same issue with my 94 2.3L is why I'm asking

[@androidwazko9795]

JR: don't worry about losing your job - you may be working on $300 Rangers now, but with your smooth delivery, agreeable personality, and strong work ethic you'll become a KZbin star and be working on Lamborghinis by next year (like everyone's favorite Russian Hispanic). And I'll lose interest. I mean how many Lambo rebuilds can people watch? In the meantime, keep up the good work.

[@yitznewton]

So basically you're proposing a switch for manual control of timing during starting... like the Model T... lol I love it

[@nzt4890]

Watching this 9 months after the fact (Dec 2020). Is it still running?

[@12ATM12]

I had this issue on my truck. It turned out to be a bad ignition module. You can check it by measuring resistance across certain pins.