92' 2.3L Ranger will not start! - Ford Ranger Forum

KaiserKrebs · 07-04-2009, 05:26 PM

Hello, I am new to this forum, and seeking some advice and or help diagnosing my 1992 2.3L EFI engine. The truck has roughly 106,000 miles on it and until a few weeks ago ran like a top. I was cruising along the freeway, and began to lose power, there was little accelerator response, and I downshifted in an attempt to keep the engine running. Just as the engine was about to quit, it took off like a rocket and I was back up to freeway speed, and made it about another three miles or so. At this point I experienced the same power loss, and downshifting did not work. I made it to the shoulder, and as I couldn't get it restarted had to call a tow truck.

I am an DIY type of guy, and have performed most of the routine maintenance on my vehicle. I have the haynes manual for the truck, but what Iv'e done to this point hasn't worked.

Firstly, the engine was low on oil due to a leaking rear main seal. However the engine still turns over, so it wasn't seized. I added oil. The battery was pretty old, so I bought a new battery and replaced. I replaced the fuel filter thinking it may have been clogged, then I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, and lastly replaced the coils because I was getting weak yellow sparks with the old ones. Spark is much improved now, but engine still will not start. I replaced the plugs and wires about two months ago.

The engine turns over, but will not fire. I put an OBD-1 diagnostic tool on it as well, and did not have any fault codes with the engine off. The timing belt is ok as well. Could it be a faulty crankshaft timing sensor? that would be a bear to replace. I know that the timing is not adjustable by the home mechanic. Iv'e checked just about all the electrical connections, and couldn't find anything loose.

Also attempted to reset the fuel inertia switch as well, so at this point I'm scratching my head, and feeling that the problem may be beyond my abilities to fix. Would appreciate any helpful advice, Thank you.

WesternPaRanger · 07-18-2009, 11:08 PM

It's possible that your cat is clogged and by downshifting you jarred the honeycomb loose and then it lodged itself again. Just a thought.

vanillathunder72 · 04-03-2011, 09:38 AM

YA those cats are a pain in the ass arent they

Ranger2232 · 06-06-2011, 10:56 AM

Sounds to me like a Cat too. My buddys truck was doing the same thing. He went with it for a while. he just had to keep his rpm's up to keep the motor running until it did the same. He took the cat off and it fired right up.

07-04-2009, 05:26 PM	#1
KaiserKrebs Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: California Posts: 1	92' 2.3L Ranger will not start! Hello, I am new to this forum, and seeking some advice and or help diagnosing my 1992 2.3L EFI engine. The truck has roughly 106,000 miles on it and until a few weeks ago ran like a top. I was cruising along the freeway, and began to lose power, there was little accelerator response, and I downshifted in an attempt to keep the engine running. Just as the engine was about to quit, it took off like a rocket and I was back up to freeway speed, and made it about another three miles or so. At this point I experienced the same power loss, and downshifting did not work. I made it to the shoulder, and as I couldn't get it restarted had to call a tow truck. I am an DIY type of guy, and have performed most of the routine maintenance on my vehicle. I have the haynes manual for the truck, but what Iv'e done to this point hasn't worked. Firstly, the engine was low on oil due to a leaking rear main seal. However the engine still turns over, so it wasn't seized. I added oil. The battery was pretty old, so I bought a new battery and replaced. I replaced the fuel filter thinking it may have been clogged, then I replaced the fuel pressure regulator, and lastly replaced the coils because I was getting weak yellow sparks with the old ones. Spark is much improved now, but engine still will not start. I replaced the plugs and wires about two months ago. The engine turns over, but will not fire. I put an OBD-1 diagnostic tool on it as well, and did not have any fault codes with the engine off. The timing belt is ok as well. Could it be a faulty crankshaft timing sensor? that would be a bear to replace. I know that the timing is not adjustable by the home mechanic. Iv'e checked just about all the electrical connections, and couldn't find anything loose. Also attempted to reset the fuel inertia switch as well, so at this point I'm scratching my head, and feeling that the problem may be beyond my abilities to fix. Would appreciate any helpful advice, Thank you.

07-18-2009, 11:08 PM	#2
WesternPaRanger Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Amishland Posts: 68	It's possible that your cat is clogged and by downshifting you jarred the honeycomb loose and then it lodged itself again. Just a thought. __________________ if you can't fix it with duct tape and a sawzall don't bother...

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04-03-2011, 09:38 AM	#3
vanillathunder72 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, MI Posts: 4	YA those cats are a pain in the ass arent they

06-06-2011, 10:56 AM	#4
Ranger2232 Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 36	Sounds to me like a Cat too. My buddys truck was doing the same thing. He went with it for a while. he just had to keep his rpm's up to keep the motor running until it did the same. He took the cat off and it fired right up.