I have an interesting issue. My truck (1994 B2300 stick) will give a fault code 222 when I cold start it. After driving 9 miles or so, the CEL light will go off and won't come back until the next cold start. I have monitored this pattern for a while and it repeats every single time. The truck runs fine with no starting issues. I replaced few things, such as spark plugs, spark wire, coil packs, etc ... but nothing helps.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

1989 to 1994 2.3l engines used an ICM(ignition control module), in your vehicle it will be mounted on the front of the lower intake facing the fan.

ICM controls both coil Packs
Because you are running dual spark plugs you can't always tell when one coil pack is not working 100%, there would be no misfires since BOTH spark plugs fire in each cylinder at the same time.

What I would have done first is to swap coil packs with each other and see if code 218 came up instead of 222
If code stayed 222 then fault would be in ICM OR wires from ICM to that coil pack.

222 should be exhaust side coil pack, i.e. runs spark plugs on exhaust side
218 intake side coil pack


In this case IDM is Ignition Diagnostic Monitor signal, ICM can tell if one of the two Primary coils in each coil pack is acting up
(IDM can also be injector diagnostic monitor, which would, of course, be different, lol)



With engine idling cold unplug the 3 wire connector on 1 coil pack, RPMs will drop slightly, but engine should NOT misfire.
Plug it back in and unplug other coil pack, see if either coil causes misfires when it is the only coil pack working.


Cold or warm failures are usually the electronics not the wires but.............you are there I am not, so check each of the 3 wires on each coil pack, at the ICM they can get frayed and brittle after 25 years

 

Yes, I swapped both coil packs around with no help. Only fault code 222 will show up. I even went and got a new ICM (Wells brand) with the same result. I have Autozone tested my old ICM (Motorcraft brand), they said no issues found. With engine idling, I removed the 3 wire connector on coil pack, engine had no misfire. When I put the 3 wire connector near the coil pack, I could see spark jumping across.

 

Then I would have to say wiring issue between exhaust side coil and ICM

 

Thanks for your quick reply. I thought about that as well, but if it's a wiring issue, why after 9 miles of driving from cold start, it will correct itself and CEL is gone.

 

Can be at the connector, you saw the sparks, which means lots of AMPs

 

Lots of AMPs meaning good or bad???

 

Meaning connector needs to be perfect or no feedback pulse and you get code 222

 

Fault code 222 has been resolved finally after replacing the crankshaft position sensor. The job was not that bad, just had to take out the timing belt cover to get to it.

 

Good work

Thanks for the update and FIX