'88 Ranger engine stops
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New User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 11
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'88 Ranger engine stops
Help! I have a 1988 Ranger which has been giving me problems since about 80K miles. It is a Ranger S w/ 2.0 carbed engine, 5 speed manual trans. The truck is as basic as it gets, no air or power. The problem is that it runs great but for no known reason and without warning, the engine stalls, almost like the ignition has been turned off. I have replaced the coil, ignition switch, cap, rotor, wires. Usually, it will start right up again after it sits for 30 min. or so. Local service centers have not been able to help because no codes have shown up. The fact that it won't act for them when it's in their shops doesn't help. Is there something in the electronic ignition or in the carb that would turn the engine off that I haven't thought of? I've been told that if their is a problem in the electronics, it's bad all the time, no hit and miss stuff. Anyone who has had similar problems or thinks they know what's wrong, please reply. Thanks!
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 39
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'88 Ranger engine stops
Not sure if this will help or not but I had a similiar problem with a '85 T-bird 5.0. It would run for a while and shut down but as soon as it cooled off it would start right up and run great. The problem ended up being the control module on the side of the distributor. Not sure if you have the same thing on your distributor or not but it's worth checking. If you do and you change it, use factory module. Had bad experience with aftermarket piece, wouldn't handle the heat. Good luck.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 72
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From: West Coast
'88 Ranger engine stops
I own a 84 ranger and a 88 Bronco ll. Know what you are going though. You need to replace the pick up coil. Its inside your distributor and the control module (on the out side w/ wires going to the harness). Sometimes the engine will just stop for a second then another time it will have to sit and cool down. It will at some point stop and will not start at all.To replace the pick up coil you have to remove the distributor and pull the drive gear and shaft out of the dist.this is not a job for an amateur.The pick up coil (also called a stator)should cost about65$ the module should cost the same.Don't try to save some money by replacing just one it will end up costing you more . good luck
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
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'88 Ranger engine stops
Follow Greg R's advice. Change both together at the same time. Furthermore, I can relate to why some people say that the ignition module is a no hit & miss component,it either works or it don't. That used to be acceptable for the DuraSpark type ignitions,but not for the TFI type ignitions. The Duraspark module was very big by todays considerations and could withstand more heat/punishment and it would basically would just fail completely when it's time was up.The TFI on the other hand outputs electrical & frequency values to the PCM and if the values aren't correct because of heat or fatigue,but are still outputed,the PCM will pretty much keep the engine running on it's own,but the engine won't run good.And of coarse it 's hard to fix something that still works when it want's to.
Phillip
Phillip
