Hey, I know everyone hates repeat questions, but I have slight problems.

I have to work on a 99 Ford Ranger, 4 Cyl.

It is not mine, I went to turn it on, Heard a Popping noise, opened the hood, and the #2 plug was arcing to the engine block....

Tried pulling the wire off the spark plug, but its stuck on good, and didnt want to force it ATM.

I assume its time for a full tune up. But am confused by there being 2 separate sets of 4 wires heading out to 2 separate spots...

1 set going to plugs, 1 set going to FI.

Do I replace both when doing this? Do they usually sell the wires with all 8??

Do I need to buy a new ignition coil?

Generic 1/3 price items, or Motorcraft x 3 $$

SORRY!! MUCH appreciate anyone willing to help, I dont have much time during the week, and free time is not fun spending it doing work for free Getting everything in order first, helps it be done quicker.

Yeah it's got 8 plugs personally I would change all of them. Some say that you don't have to change the ones on the exhaust side of the engine. As for plugs either go with motocraft or autolite. Those run the best in the ford engines. Yeah for the wires when you go to your local autoparts store they will ask you what size engine and give you the wires that you will need. As far as ignition coil maybe someone else will chime in on that one.

yea id say just change plugs and wires for now. 2 plugs per cylinder, so eight wires so theres two separate coil packs. autolite or motorcraft is highly recomended if you dont want to replace them again soon.

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'99 Ranger XLT Reg. Cab Stepside
2.5L
2WD
5spd
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Air Box Mod
Explorer OHC
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the coil packs generally dont fail. I would start with plugs and wires. It also would be a good time to replace the valve cover gasket if it leaks alittle. You would have to remove the upper intake, wich will also make it easier to get the plugs. Then replace the valve cover gasket. Its a little more work but in a days time you'll know that you wont have to worry about it later down the road.

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Holy crap!!

Thanks guys!!

Every response was very helpful!

I am no mechanic but I can handle stuff like this.

I never heard of an engine using 2 spark plugs per cylinder? Weird!



Its running good, I just heard the POP . . . POP . . . and noticed the arcing, so I assumed its time for wires!


This will defiantly take a little longer then planned, but now I am prepared for it

Yeah, I was surprised by the twin spark on my 2.3 as well when I went to change my plugs, but it's something you get used to. Especially when it was more work to change my eight then my friends 6 in his 3.0, it works. My last tuneup I bought 8 autolite platinums and a set of nappa extended life wires and they have been wonderful. Also not to expensive!

-- Brian

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1997 B2300, Expo buckets and center console, a bit of blue paint, and the dual ignition mod. Just over 100k Miles.

yeah ford switched to the 8 plug set up as a economy thing it's supposed to help to burn more of the fuel mixture to make sure there is less unburnt fuel in the exhaust....

How does it work???

Do they both fire at the same time? Alternate, or what?

Thanks!