I'm asking for help with my 1991 Ranger 2.3 Ford 4 cylinder. This engine has two coils and 8 spark plugs. At first it would misfire occasionally and seem that it was running on two cylinders and then on all four again for many days. This got worse and sometimes the tach would quit too. I figured the tach was maybe a bad connection, however I could never find it. Now, sometimes it starts on all four and after a few minutes drop to two with a strong smell of gas. I changed the plugs as it seemed like two plus fouling. After digging into the problem and pulling wires off when it was running, I found out that number 2 and 4 on the drivers side are not firing any time, even when it runs on all four cylinders and even with the plugs out and grounded, there is no spark.(An old plug was put in the hole) When it runs on all four it fires # 2 and 4 off the passenger side coil.
Then for some reason it quits firing on the passenger side coil altogether and fires only on # 1 and 3 on the drivers side coil. I don't understand the concept of the duel ignition system. Recently it refused to start at all. Just seemed like it wasn't firing at all. If I let it sit over night, it starts on all four and runs normal but again only for a short time.
I'm looking for any "helpful answers" This is somewhat of a sport truck in otherwise good condition so I'm not looking for "cash for clunkers" answers. I don't like being a parts changer and some garages in my area thrive on this.
Thankyou for your help.
Then for some reason it quits firing on the passenger side coil altogether and fires only on # 1 and 3 on the drivers side coil. I don't understand the concept of the duel ignition system. Recently it refused to start at all. Just seemed like it wasn't firing at all. If I let it sit over night, it starts on all four and runs normal but again only for a short time.
I'm looking for any "helpful answers" This is somewhat of a sport truck in otherwise good condition so I'm not looking for "cash for clunkers" answers. I don't like being a parts changer and some garages in my area thrive on this.
Thankyou for your help.