Hi all -

First time poster, hopefully my ignorance doesn't shine through too much.

I tried pulling codes for my 94 and got the code 224. From what I have seen, this indicates a problem with the ignition coils and a common suggestion has been to check the resistance. This I have done and got a very low resistance (under 1ohm) for the primary resistances and around 13kohm for the secondary resistances -- exactly what it should be. So if the issue is not there...?

At this point I am not sure where to go next. My brother has suggested tracing my wiring from the spark plugs back to the battery, but does anyone have any other suggestions? Not to discount my brother - he does a lot of work on cars & trucks - but if there is anything else I can try too, I'm game for that. Thanks.

 

my haynes manual says "SPOUT circuit open"... wutever that means.

 

Yeah, I saw that in the Haynes manual too...and had the same thoughts

 

Failure in ignition coil primary circuit - Ignition Systems- this could be a number of things. checking the resistance on the coils is the first thing I would've done also. How does it run? The ignition systems on these is pretty complex, since the coils checked out fine, i'd check the ICM next. You can take it in to most parts stores and have it checked. And since you're in CA i assume you have a CA motor in it. if it's a manual transmission you have a cam position sensor(or syncronizer), which could also cause a fault in the ignition system if not timed correctly, you also have a crank positioning sensor which usually either works or it dosen't. In any case the next step is checking the ICM ( mounted on the intake manifold just behind the A/C and power steering) it has 3 bolts holding it in. Take it off and have it tested. another thing that just came to mind, what kind of plugs are you running? a bed set of plugs would also cause a fault in the ignition system. just some food for thought. good luck :)

 

And that was my next step. I took out the ICM and had it tested, came back good.

I was looking in my code book the other night, it said not to service the Continuous Memory codes until after the KOER codes. I haven't pulled the KOER codes yet...I'll get back on this if I need to once I have done that. But seriously, thanks for the suggestions!

 

I'm going to bump this up now that I've done a few more things on this.

So, KOEO test gives 111 - pass; CM code 224 - SPOUT Circuit Open

KOER test gives 998 - failure mode and 224 code again.

It definitely seems like the 224 code is real, although my coil resistances look good and my ICM test came back good as well. The 998 code concerns me because I have read other posts (here and on other forums) saying that a 998 code means that KOEO did not pass, and yet I have a code telling me that it did pass.

So...is there another meaning to 998? And this 224 - if I've checked coil resistances and tested the ICM, any other ideas? Thanks.

 

bad ground, bad plugs, bad wires, bad connection somewhere. could be a million different things. could be the computer going out too. how does it run?

 

I just replaced the spark plugs and wires so I really doubt that could be the issue. Just to narrow things down a wee bit.

As far as how it runs...honestly, when I start it up, I sometimes think it is going to stall on me. It idles pretty low at first, then randomly starts idling higher. Very erratic idle.

I haven't driven it for a few months (registration expired, need smog to re-register, smog fails due to CEL) but when I was driving it about it was this way too - sometimes it ran strong, other times I needed to urge it along more, if that makes sense.

Hope that helps.

 

new plugs dosent mean good plugs. I had a set of bosch plugs give me problems for almost a year before i realized they were the problem. Have you checked you're grounds and cleaned them and the battery terminals/cables? sometimes it's the simplest things. also I'm in lancaster, ca if you want I have an extra computer for a 94 2.3 ca model. you could try swapping it to see if it's your computer giving you the problems.

 

I might take you up on swapping out the computer. How are you supposed to get the old one out? I've tried loosening that bolt but couldn't pull it off afterward. The bolt was loose, but the PCM wouldn't come off.

I can only work on the truck on weekends, but my plan today is to go through and check the wiring. So we'll see what happens.

UPDATE: Okay, I got the PCM connector off and checked connections to and from the ICM. Everything checks out well. I tried to pull the codes again and this time got the 4-cylinder code plus 116, indicative of something wrong with the ECT sensor (which I also just replaced, along with the thermostat). What the heck?!

 

you'll get a 116 if you run the test while the coolant is not up to operating temperature. do you by chance have an aftermarket intake with aluminum tubing?

 

I'm going to put an end to this and hope it helps someone else in the future.

I finally gave up on troubleshooting it myself (running out of time) and took it to the shop. They looked it over with their better equipment and decided...I should replace the ICM - even though the AutoZone test came back good!

Deciding to trust their judgement I went and got a new ICM, put it in, and everything works fine! I was able to pass smog and am driving the truck once again.

Kind of peeves me, though, that AutoZone's tester didn't detect some sort of failure. What's the point of testing?

 

Im not a fan of autozone! I use Advanced Auto and Oriellys!

 

Ron,
I am having the same issue with my 94 ranger. The truck starts up and runs fine but on cold start the CEL comes on for about 2 miles then goes out and does not come on again until the engine has cooled. I kept pulling the same codes KOEO 111, then the 224 code from memory. When testing KOER I also got the codes 998 and 224. I replaced both coil packs hoping that would clear but still pulling the same codes. No driveability issues so am wondering if the ICM could be bad like yours. Anyone else have this issue?