My 87 ranger just Quit running and wont start, I have no spark and no fuel, fuel pump does run. Any answers ?

 

My first thought on the no-spark condition is the TFI module on the distributor. That's the most common cause of sudden spark loss on an EFI engine with the TFI ignition system.

How did you determine you getting no fuel? If you hear the fuel pump run for about a second when you first turn the key on, then there's a good chance the system is functioning okay, Be a bit unusaul for the fuel and ignition systmes to both develope problems at the same time.

Get the ignition sorted out first and see if that takes care of it. Try a shot of starting fluid in the intake after you're sure you have spark again, if it runs only on the starting fluid then get back here and we'll address that problem as well.

 

2 thoughts

1. Pull the single pin connector apart (it's by the distributor). It's the one used to set the base time.
See if you get spark when you do that.

2. If you do it could mean (among other things)
- PCM (computer) dead -- this could be a loss of power to the computer
(although I think the PCM makes your fuel pump go for a couple of
seconds when you first turn the key). Anyway, a dead computer will
load the spark circuit.

- no signal from the ignition to the PCM. If the PCM doesn't see a signal it will not turn on the fuel pump.

If you get no spark with the one pin plug disconnected, you definitely have a
problem not related to the PCM. It is often the TFI, but you should always check the obvious (power to the coil, coil continuity, etc). If it is the TFI, make sure that you put the special grease on the new one. (It will have a dab included with it). ALso, the PCM screws are some odd buzzards. They take a 5.5 mm (7/32) socket if I remember right.

ford2go

 

Yes, an especially deep and slender one. What I did was to take a cheapo 7/32 socket and grind it down the shank to the base a bit so that it will fit into the recess for the screw. Works great.

 

Thanks I will give it a try, buy the way went out last night tried to start and it did, I drove it around a bit and it died taking out the dash lights, which eventually came back on but had the same old symptoms. No spark no fuel ???

 

That sounds like more of a major electrical system short. Check your cables from the battery to ground and to the starter solenoid, as well as the main power lead from the solenoid to the Power Distribution box on the passenger side fender well. Check all the fuses and connections in there, wiggle wires and such especially with the engine running when you can get it started again. If it won't start (will it crank okay but just not start?) try wiggling wires and connections in that area and frequently re-trying to start it. I suspect an intermittant short/bad connection. Might be a wire that's broken inside the insulation and makes occasional contact, then pulls apart and breaks the connection again.

 

mine suddenly died like that as well, but i found the tfi was grounding itself out on the bottom of the distributer base.

all these other posts are good too. until you narrow the problem down, i wouldnt drive too far from home.

how did you test for spark, and how do you know you arent getting fuel

when you first turn the key, do you hear clicks from under the hood?

 

If it took out the dome light, the headlights and the tail lights also, I'd be checking the battery ground and positive wires. Sounds like a bad connection some where.
t