Hi everyone, I have an 87 ford ranger 2.9l, it was having an issue where it would die almost every time the engine warmed up, then after a few minutes it would start back up and run fine, at the time I wasn't able to take a look at it, but eventually I started it up at work waiting for it to warm up, it died as usual, then it just wouldn't start up again.

I was desperate to get it out of the parking lot, so I began testing and replacing things, I've replaced the coil, wires, dist cap, and rotor bug. And eventually read about the tfi module, Took it off and it tested bad, so I replaced that. now it's getting spark, but it's still not starting, engine turns, fuel rails pressure up. i've been driving myself crazy over this, and thought I would check to see if anyone had any advice that could help me out, thanks!

 

If you manually add fuel to the intake, will it start?

I.E. spray starting fluid into intake or add some gas via Power booster hose

If it starts then dies you have fuel problem

If it doesn't start then you have a spark problem

That's the 50/50 test, tells you alot.

The 3rd reason a gas engine won't start is low compression, this usually isn't a sudden thing unless timing chain/belt breaks but you would know if that happened in a 2.9l
So I would rule out compression issue unless you think that is something to look at.

1. Fuel
2. Spark
3. Compression
That's the big 3 for gasoline engines


TFI system was marginal when new, so at 28 years old it is always suspect with any engine problems.
Good read here on testing TFI: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...agnostic.shtml

 

Thank you! Yeah it won't start with starting fluid, alright ill do a compression check next, do you think the hall effect could cause it to get a weak spark? Or would it get no spark at all if that were the issue? My bud days the spark looks weak, but it looks like a strong blue spark to me