Hi Everyone

86 Ranger - 4x4
2.9 L Automatic

I posted in an earlier thread about a miss, hesitation, etc that was happening on my truck when I am at higher speeds (50 MPH and above) and it does seem to also happen when the truck gets hot.

Everyone has been great help. First suggestion was check the transmission fluid. Did that and no problems there. Fluid does not smell burnt and it is full level.

I was showing a code 33 when it was checked at Autozone. That was the extent of my abilities there so I decided to take to a "mechanic" to ask another opinion before I changed any parts. He told me that I needed an ingnition module and a pickup assembly. Said that the distributor had to be removed and the cost with parts and labor is $360.00. I did not give him the go ahead obviously until I posted here and did some checking myself.

I called Autozone and the price for the Ignition Module is $32.00 and the Pick up Coil is $17.95 and based upon my conversation with the folks at Autozone I had to dismantle the distributor, however, I did not need to lift the distributor assembly.

Something is obviously not adding up here so I wanted to get everyones thoughts. It really sounds like I can change these two parts myself without alot of trouble. Am I right or am I way off base?

Thanks a bunch. This is a great group.

david

 

YES, you should be fully able to do this yourself. I bought a performance ignition module for my truck, and it did that stupid upper RPM miss/ hesitation thing, then finally a coulple nights ago it completely died on me. So i bought just a stock ignition module and it took about 5-10 min to install it right there on the street where it had died the night before. All i needed is a 1/2 inch wrench to loosen the distributor (so i could turn it to gain access to the TFI module (ignition module) Then you also need to buy a special "Ford ignition module" wrench, because a regular socket is too big to fit in the TFI holes. The wrench was 4.25 after tax, so its nothing too special. Then just remove the TFI bolts, Unhook the TFI module, Recoat the new module with the special stuff they give you in the box, plug in the new TFI, bolt it down reconnect electrical connections, and re-time the engine. It may be wise to disconnect the battery before this procedure. Mine fired right up. NOTE this was on my 85 F150, so depending on where the dizzy is on your truck you may need to remove things or unbolt more stuff to gain access to your's. If you need pic's let me know, i'll take some for you. DO NOT PAY 360.00$ to have this done! If its anything like mine, you are getting totally ripped off.

 

Thank you very much for your help. I am going to start here and see if the ignition module works and then I will try the pickup coil. However based upon what everyone is saying here then the module is the problem.

Thank you again.

david

 

hello guys a code 33 on a b2/ranger is pip failure which is your pickup coil.
in order for you to remove the pickup coil also known as a stator.
you need to loosen one bolt located at the base .it can either be a torx bolt or a m10 bolt. before everything remove negative cables from battery.

you need to remove the distributor from the engine itself you do not need to remove the upper intake. once out remove the tfi module with a 4mm tamper torx bit or a ford wrench. remove the rotor in order for you to remove coil you need to remove the oil pump gear there is a small pin on the shaft itself that you need to remove to pull out then you can remove the coil you'll need to remove 2 8mm bolts. install is reversed any questions just ask. next time try advance auto parts instead of autozone. oh yea the pick up coil cost 2 dollars less at advance and they can check your tfi module also.

 

You may have already tried this - but what about the plug wires? I had a 1995 4.0 that missed randomly, the computer threw some codes pointing to everything else, but all it was was the plug wires.