Hi everyone, I have a 94’ Mazda Truck with the Ford 2.3 Dual Spark. I was on my way to work last week going about 75 when the truck started sputtering for a second, running normally for about 2-3 seconds and back and forth until i pulled over onto the shoulder where it died and wouldn’t turn back on. At first i thought fuel but the pump still works and spraying starting fluid does nothing. Replaced Crank sensor, Icm, and the Ecm Relay. About 2 weeks before, the truck got new coils, plugs, and wires. All fuses & grounds have been checked, truck is in time and has healthy compression. The only other things i can think of are the Ecu or the cam sensor on the synchronizer that goes where the distributor was on the older 2.3s. Any input is greatly appreciated in advance. -David

 

Welcome to the forum

Cam sensor is just for fine tuning injectors, can't cause a no start
ECU/PCM, engine computer, is just for injectors, spark is a separate system, pre-1995

Yes, if it doesn't start/fire with starting fluid then there is no spark, or no compression
So ICM(ignition control module) would be next stop, on the front of lower intake
12volts for the coils and ICM are supplied by ignition switch, EEC relay powers PCM
Test for 12volts with key on, at coils and ICM

Since the stall and no start you have tested compression?
Timing belts can slip

You can test crank sensor, it starts the ball rolling for spark, ICM needs a good timing signal or won't start spark
Its a 12volt Hall Effect sensor, 12v on and off as crank spins

Below are the ICM wiring diagrams for 1994 2.3l
There is a misprint on Cam sensor, it goes to PCM not ICM, so not involve with spark at all
And I think spark suppression of intake side coil pack was dropped in 1993, but in any case the exhaust side coil pack and 4 spark plugs worked all the time

 

Hello. Since the truck broke down, I have made sure its in time and I ran a compression test on all 4 cylinders, replaced the crank sensor and Ignition control module. Every single fuse in the truck has been checked on both sides of each fuse with a test light.

 

Thats great, but........................if you spray fuel into the engine manually, and it doesn't start/fire, then you have a spark issue, or compression
Compression is mechanical, so once tested you can rule it out

In a 1994 2.3l spark is self contained
Crank sensor
ICM
Coil pack

That's it, those 3 things cause spark, you can remove the engine computer and you will still get spark to start engine
And they all run off one 12volt wire, red/light green stripe wire that comes from ignition switch, if that wire has 12v then they all have 12v

Ground..........the ICM needs a good ground, its often over looked
ICM is held to lower intake by 3 screws, those are the grounds, I think the one on lower passenger side is the main ground, no ground no spark

But this is where you should be focusing your energy, Spark system, once it starts/fires by adding fuel manually you can look at other systems and fuses, and relays
Get the spark system on line

And "new" means NEVER EVER TESTED, not "it works", 40 years ago there was Quality Control, no more, we have warranties now, "YOU TEST IT, we will replace it if it doesn't work"