Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting so let me give some background on my vehicle. I have a 2000 Ford Ranger with a 3.0 litre V6. Also, it has Power Steering, A/C, Power Windows, Electronic 4WD, Automatic Tranny. It has just a little over 32,000 miles on it and was running great up until last week.

As far as Warranty.. It's run out. So I guess I am on my own on this one.

So here it is:

I noticed that the truck started missing horribly and running rough. I took it to Sheehy Ford in Richmond to get them to look at it. As far as they could tell it was a bad plug wire on #5 cylinder or at least that's what the computer told them. I got a little sticker shock when they told me it was going to be $369.57 to replace the plug wires. I thought that this was a little unreasonable. I bought a new set of Motorcraft wires but I haven't put them in yet being unsure of whether a plug wire would cause all the grief. One thing I do not understand was why two of the sparkplug wires had grey rubber boots at the end of the wire vs. the other four.

I don't want to waste my money and time putting in a brand new set of spark plug wires if something else may be causing it. I guess I am hoping for someone who knows there an issue with the ignition perhaps or could reassert the sparkplug wires being the cause. One thing I do know is that there is not too much room to work in that engine compartment.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, it could actually be a number of things, fuel injectors, bad compression, or other things, but i'd try the new plug wires first, since they are probalby the cheapest and easiest thing to put on, and its probably good routine maintanence. If you bought it new, have you ever had anything serviced on it or not where they might have messed with the plug wires? If you got it used, someone probably did a bad job maintaining it, or they accidentally got a set for a 4 banger and put them on leaving the 2 old ones. but first i'd just put on the new plug wires and just see how things go. Good luck

 

Welcome to FTE Mark2KRanger,
Your not on your own, you have made it here into the FTE family!
I was about to suggest pulling the codes but It looks like it was already done.
I'd put on the wires.
As for the different color boots...they come assembled in a set that way and it just happens to be what they have in stock at the time. (gray mixed in w/ black).
Don't forget to put on Dielectric Grease on the tip of the boot before installing them onto the plugs. (Stops grounding of the high energy voltage that goes to the plugs.)
_____________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp

 

Okay, I think it's a little late to get any dieelectric grease or maybe I have some in the garage and don't know it.. Anyway I am going to put on the wires and see what I get. Wish Me Luck.

 

Hi Mark2KRanger,
This is a special grease and not any other will do!
You can get it at the automotive store and tell them what you are going to use it for and they'll give you what you need.
Just take your time, be patient + think about doing this task before actually doing it!
You can do it!...GOOD LUCK!
______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp

 

Great News!! I spent about an hour out in the garage and I put the wires on. The wires are motorcraft, btw, and they already had grease on the boots. After I put them in the truck runs like a champ. Screw paying almost $300 Labor for the dealer to do it!!
Thanks alot for your support guys.

As a surprising sideeffect it has alot better response too. When I put my foot on the gas it actually does something

 

congrats

 

Three hundred dollars...

And you know what? They probably DO take at least two hours of labor to change those in a 4L V6.

 

Howdy Mark2KRanger,
I see that you accomplished this task and ended up w/ a positive resolution!
W - T - G !!
______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp


FOREVER!

 

I really dont see how ford can expect someone to pay 300 dollars to change a set of plug wires, thats just crazy, i think i'd rather just buy a haynes for 10 bucks or whatever it was and fix the problems by myself, and with the help of this great site!

 

Pete...


Of course, I'd rather change the wires myself.



But....it is a major detail.


Anytime I change the plugs or wires on my 4liter v6....I post notices on the telephone poles within a mile of my house:
WARNING: ADULT LANGUAGE AND SHOUTED SWEAR_WORDS WILL BE HEARD FROM *** ****** STREET ON **/**/** from 8:00am until 8:00pm


Some vehicles are just a bitch....plain and simple.


Another fun one is the Dodge Dynasty......you know the one....the six cylinder with the plugs nestled against the firewall?


The little space that they give you for changing plugs or wires....I feel like taking the engineers who designed that, and nestling their head down in that little crevice and squeezing the cranium in there while the engine block is as hot as it could get...

That would make me happy

 

Welcome to FTE Toddowen,
I own a:
______________________________________________
‘90 Ranger: 2.3L, EEC-IV, EFI, DIS, 2wd, Mazda 5sp


So I've had my share. Go through the threads. We're a real happy here!

PLANNER + ENGINEER:

M-I-C~K-E-Y - M--O--U--S--E!!

 

Yeah, i know what your talkin about with the dynasty. I wouldnt even know how to get at the plugs/ plug wires in our 98 dodge caravan without takin half the engine apart. its the same situation, the plugs are like almost under the windshield, the intake manifold is in the way, and you can't even get your hand back there to take the plug wires off! talk about some bad engineering. We had to remove a bunch of misc. junk to get a new air filter in. But anyway, enough rambling.........