Help!! Engine won't Run!!!

Rangeritis · #1 01-18-2012, 10:36 PM

Ok, new to this site and I just purchased a 98 Ranger 3.0 5spd 4x4 for basically nothing. Only problem is that it doesn't run.

Truck has about 140 to 150k on the odometer. The truck has also been sitting for an extended time with a dead battery and no codes in the computer to go by. Previous owner told me that it started running crappy and just won't run anymore.

Fuel Pump and Filter seem to be OK. Getting 60 psi on the rail. I also got a cheap spark plug tester and all the plugs seem to be firing. It has new wires and plugs and I am fairly certain that they are properly connected from the coilpack to the plugs. The truck cranks over and seems like it wants to start but it won't. It is also not cranking over smoothly. Sounds kinda rough and off balance or something like that.

I was told by someone the other day that they Crank Position Sensor and the Camshaft Position Sensor go bad on these all the time. Is there a way to test the existing sensors before I go and replace them with a voltmeter???

Also, I read on here that the Fuel Injectors die on these trucks before 160K or so miles. Think that this could be it???

Any and all help is really appreciated!

Rob

Rangeritis · #2 01-19-2012, 10:22 PM

Come on guys and gals, nobody has any thoughts that might help me get this thing running again.

CameronWooten · #3 01-19-2012, 10:57 PM

hmm

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bump

GLH · #4 01-20-2012, 12:32 AM

Jumped time.

sirfunkeybut · #5 01-20-2012, 01:37 AM

Spray some starting fluid in the the TB and see if it will start. If not try the junk yard for a CPS and see if that would work.

anicholbike@yahoo.com · #6 01-20-2012, 10:47 AM

OK - I am working with Rob on this truck, yeah; the blind leading the blind here! We have spark, fuel pressure is at 60 psi. He replaced the cam position sensor and crank sensor. Still will not start. We did try the starter fluid into the clean air tube but it did not start.

Rob removed the injectors and intake. Checking to see if the injectors are working.

Any other ideas?

sirfunkeybut · #7 01-21-2012, 03:54 AM

Then it sounds like a timing issue, or somehow all or most of the injectors aren't firing. Mine was running on 3 of 6 injectors so I would guess the injectors aren't the issue, maybe the PCM not grounding the injector pulse? After checking to see if the injectors are firing( they say you can use a screw driver and put one end to the injectors and the other to your ear and hear the click) if they aren't firing start check grounds on your truck, if they are then I would turn to timing as being an issue. Does it have a distributor? If so loosen the hold down bolt and advance or retard it to see if gets better or worse. If so I would say the belt/chain needs attending to, if it's a distributorless coil then that might as well be Chinese to me because I've never delt with them

Rangeritis · #8 01-21-2012, 07:04 AM

Thx for the thoughts! It has the coil pack with distributorless ignition system. However, there is a cam position sensor in there! Are these trucks known to jump time? It does have over 140K on the motor!

Previous owner may have driven it like he thought it was a musclecar and that it is not! That would suck to have to remover the whole front of the engine to look at the timing chain.

Gonna check the injectors today with my redneck tester and clean them as best I can. Also gonna check the compression, supposedly if it did jump time then the compression will be low on all of the cylinders.

94mtx · #9 01-21-2012, 07:56 AM

Check compression, do an electrical resistance test on each injector and post back.

sirfunkeybut · #10 01-21-2012, 08:09 AM

Also some ranger engines have plugs you can remove on the timing chain cover to see if the marks align, not sure yours has it but that would be worth looking into, does it backfire or anything while cranking? Maybe a really plugged exhaust system?

As for the ohm check on the injectors I believe they should be between 14-18 ohms. You could also rent a noid light from an auto parts store and check to see if the PCM if pulsing the injectors

Rangeritis · #11 01-21-2012, 10:56 AM

Couldn't I check the injectors pulse with a voltmeter? Figured i would check as many as I could when i get it hooked back up thee are two under the intake i won't be able to get to.

I have my fingers crossed about the plug

Truck doesn't backfire when o crank it over only some smoke from the exhaust.

sirfunkeybut · #12 01-21-2012, 03:10 PM

An analogue meter is better for checking for pulse, I tried with a digital meter and it's not as easy to see the pulse. One side of the injector plug will be constant 12 and the other should be the pulse. As for the the smoke, what color is it?

Rangeritis · #13 01-21-2012, 11:23 PM

The smoke is a sorta a black color! I am practically convinced that it jumped timing and the timing is off. I think that there are alot of things based on what I was told and from what you guys and gals are telling me. I know that it is a huge risk but that is the direction that I am gonna head down.

Having said that, I will resistance test the injectors prior to reinstalling them. Also gonna do a new water pump and timing chain along with a thremostat while I have the whole front of the motor apart.

It is a ROYAL PITA taking the front of this engine apart. It like there are bolts everywhere and the A/C and Fuel lines dont help. It is also nice how there is one bolt hidden behind the A/C bracket. Hopefully this is the right thing to do.

Hopefully get most of this back together tomorrow and I will let report my findings.

sirfunkeybut · #14 01-21-2012, 11:57 PM

Well good luck ;-)

wangbungal · #15 01-22-2012, 12:15 AM

rent a cel reader from autozone,see if any check engine codes,might be surprised of how many it is