TEST three: Two Expressionless Cylinders Diagnostic

Two Dead Cylinders Diagnostic. How To Test The Ignition Module And Crank Sensor (2.3L Ranger, Mustang, B2300)

Having a gyre pack with 2 towers that are not sparking is the most common type of failure with this blazon of Ford ignition control module (ICM).

To understand this phenomena (two coil pack towers from the same roll pack not sparking), you and I need to know that each coil pack fires spark to ii spark plugs at the exact aforementioned time (this is known as a Waste Spark ignition system). Hither are the specifics:

  1. Each coil pack feeds 4 spark plugs.
    1. Spark plugs for cylinders #1 and #four get spark at the exact same time.
    2. Spark plugs for cylinders #2 and #iii get spark at the verbal aforementioned time.
    3. These cylinders are referred to as 'Paired Cylinders'.
  2. Each gyre pack fires spark to spark plugs on one side of the engine.
    1. Spark Plugs on the side of the frazzle manifold are called: Exhaust Side Spark Plugs.
    2. Spark Plugs on the side of the intake manifold are chosen: Intake Side Spark Plugs.
  3. Each coil pack is made upward of 2 individual ignition coils.
    1. Each gyre has two towers.
    2. When the private ignition coil (within the coil pack) fires, this spark is sent out on both towers.
  4. Each coil pack has iii wires
    1. The center wire is the ane that supplies Power (ignition voltage -12 Volts) to both individual ignition coils within the whorl pack.
    2. The other 2 wires are the ones that supply an activation signal (known as the switching signal) to each individual ignition coil.

And so when you have two towers from the same coil pack not firing spark, it's usually due to one of 2 reasons: one.) the whorl pack is bad or 2.) the ignition command module (ICM) has fried internally and is not activating that specific ignition coil inside the curlicue pack (although it will activate the others).

Having the 2.3L Ford ignition control module (ICM) fry in this way (where it doesn't actuate one of the individual ignition coils inside the scroll pack) is the nigh common problem of the two and tin be very easily tested.

OK, to discover out if this is the case on your ii.3L Ford Mustang or Ranger (or 2.3L Mazda B2300), this is what you'll need to do:

  1. Discover out which ii coil pack towers are non firing spark.
  2. Remember, what you're looking for is no spark from ii coil pack towers that fire 'Paired Cylinders':
    1. Towers that feed spark to cylinders #2 and #3 are 'Paired'.
    2. Towers that feed spark to cylinders #1 and #4 are 'Paired'.
    3. Notation: If you accept no spark from any other towers that are non 'Paired' (like no-spark from Cyl #1 and #3), and so the ignition control module is not at fault and this tutorial won't help yous.
  3. Once you accept establish out which coil pack and which 2 of its towers are not firing spark, choose from one of the post-obit CASES below.

Cull 1 of the post-obit CASES:

Instance 1: No Spark Cylinders #one and #4 (EXHAUST SIDE).

  1. Go to: Test iv.

Instance 2: No Spark Cylinders #2 and #three (Exhaust SIDE).

  1. Go to: TEST 5.

Case 3: No Spark Cylinders #1 and #4 (INTAKE SIDE).

  1. Go to: Exam six.

CASE four: No Spark Cylinders #2 and #3 (INTAKE SIDE).

  1. Go to: Exam seven.

TEST 4: Testing Exhaust Side #i And #four (No Spark Status)

Testing Exhaust Side #1 And #4(No Spark Condition). How To Test The Ignition Module And Crank Sensor (2.3L Ranger, Mustang, B2300)

This test will aid you notice out if the roll pack that feeds cylinders #one and #4 on the frazzle side is bad or if the ignition control module is the one that's bad.

What you'll exist doing, is checking for the 'Switching Signal' that the ignition module provides to the coil pack with a 12 Volt examination light.

The instructions I'k providing below will have yous testing for this 'Switching Signal' at the gyre pack, merely you lot can also test this indicate at the ignition control module's bottom connector (although this is a bit harder due to a lack of access).

NOTE: This test is washed with the engine cranking, in your 2.3L Ford Mustang or Ranger, so you've got to be conscientious and have all necessary safety precautions! Think Safety all of the fourth dimension.

OK, to become this test going, this is what yous'll demand to practice:

  1. Discover the wire labeled with the number 3 of the exhaust side coil pack (in the photo to a higher place).
    1. NOTE: Recall, you're testing the coil pack that feeds the exhaust side spark plugs.
    2. The photo in the image viewer shows the coil pack with its spark plug wires off, this is merely for illustration purposes (I had to remove them to take the photo of the connector). Practise NOT remove the spark plug wires from the coil pack for this examination.
  2. With your 12 Volt exam light, pierce this wire a few inches away from the coil pack connector.
  3. Footing the 12 Volt test calorie-free's alligator clip directly on the battery positive (+) mail.
  4. When ready, have a helper crank and first the engine while you observe the 12 Volt test light.
    1. NOTE: Both the coil pack and the ignition module must be connected to their connectors for this test.
  5. As the engine cranks, you should see 1 of 2 things:
    1. The 12 Volt test light will flash ON and OFF.
    2. The 12 Volt test light will NOT flash ON and OFF.
    3. NOTE: Whatever the test calorie-free does, when you turn the Cardinal On and BEFORE you lot creepo the engine DOES NOT matter, the result you desire to look for is when the engine is cranking.

OK, let'south interpret your test results:

CASE i: The 12 Volt test light flashed ON and OFF. This tells you lot that the ignition control module (ICM) is working and activating the 2 towers that are not sparking.

Now, since the 2 towers are non sparking, this also tells y'all that the coil pack is bad. Replacing the coil pack will solve the problem of no spark for exhaust side spark plugs for cylinder #1 and #4.

Instance two: The 12 Volt exam calorie-free DID Non flash ON and OFF. This tells you that the ignition control module (ICM) is not activating the ignition coil (within the gyre pack) that's responsible for firing spark to exhaust spark plugs #i and #4.

Replace the ignition control module.