Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 08-17-2010, 02:54 PM
nutronikss nutronikss is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Default self detaching plug wire?!?

Hi, I'm pretty new to this forum. Ive been mostly a reader, but now I cant find someone with a similar problem to read off of. I am more of a diyer than a mechanic but I can usually take care of my car problems. I drive a 2.3L 2wd basic model ranger that my dad gave me after sitting for about a year.

I started to notice when I am driving, the engine seems to just not have power when I accelerate hard and the idle was off. When the truck idled, I could hear a small revving and it would rock the body of the truck from side to side just enough to notice something was wrong. I looked at the engine to see if something obvious was wrong. I checked the plug wires and noticed the wire closest to the firewall wasn't seated. No wonder I was having problems accelerating.

I thought this was just a one time thing.

I started to notice after a few times driving the truck that I was lacking power again. I checked the wire and it was unseated again.
I ran the engine and watched the plug wire pop about an eighth or quarter inch up, unseating itself again.

I switched the wires with another cylinder to see if it was that specific wire. That didn't help. The same cylinder wire keeps coming unseated.
What could be the cause for this? Could this be the plug or is there something building up some pressure that could unseat the wire?

I think they are bosch platinum plugs and the wires are dura craft/last...
The plugs and wires are new about a month ago. Im not sure how long this may have been going on. I drive the truck pretty soft most of the time and it seems to run ok unless I accelerate hard.
This is just one of the problems that I have with this truck. It also burns oil(changing the valve cover gasket next week) and the ujoints are bad(also changing next week.

Thanks
Newt
__________________
02 ranger, 2.3 4cylinder, 2wd, single cab, 135000+ mi.
i do search previous posts/threads, so if im asking, i cant find it
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-20-2010, 09:15 AM
Yrac Yrac is offline
diMwit
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 341
Default Re: self detaching plug wire?!?

Maybe your motor mount is broke and causing enough flex to pull the wire out. Have somebody rev it while you watch.
__________________
'88 STX Super Cab 4x4
2.9 5spd 180,000 miles
Crappy Paint, Worn Parts,
Fix'em as they Break
when Nowhere is Now Here
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-26-2010, 01:33 PM
KTMhauler KTMhauler is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
Default Re: self detaching plug wire?!?

I've seen plug wires pop off due to resistance . Try replacing that plug with a new one
(NOT A BOSCH PLATINUM!!) . If that works replace all the plugs with good ole stock OEM's.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-27-2010, 06:33 AM
nutronikss nutronikss is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Default Re: self detaching plug wire?!?

Thanks for the replys, first, the plug wire would pop out without reving the engine. The engine was idling and it would just pop off.
Second, I just put a new plug in to the cylinder and it stopped popping off. I also backed the plug out after putting it in. I think the plug wire was being compressed to much and was acting like a spring. I wll go get some oem plugs in the next month or so to get these bosch plugs out.
__________________
02 ranger, 2.3 4cylinder, 2wd, single cab, 135000+ mi.
i do search previous posts/threads, so if im asking, i cant find it
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Easy Spark Plug Change on 8-plug 4 Banger BenGone 4-Cylinder Tech 12 01-03-2012 01:32 PM
HELP! Spark plug wire probs! Darkside926 4-Cylinder Tech 11 05-04-2010 05:47 PM
Help, please. wire broke rumpranger 4-Cylinder Tech 3 01-03-2010 05:07 PM
Spark plug wire question aridranger03 General Ford Ranger Discussion 2 12-26-2009 09:59 PM
Thundersport spark plug wire JULIUS 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 8 12-02-2009 03:12 PM