1994 Ford Ranger 3.0L V6 No Spark
Asked by badranger Jun 27, 2018 at 10:56 AM about the 1994 Ford Ranger
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 1994 Ford Ranger I have replaced all the parts that would cause a
no spark issue, and still don't have any spark (distributor pickup coil, ignition
coil, ignition switch, ignition module, distributor rotor, ignition module, relays
are good) cranks good, rotor is spinning. Was driving fine and then one day
just cut out while driving slow in 3rd gear. tennisshoes I have seen posts
from you responding to ranger questions, I need your help or from any of the
top expert cargurus!
Thanks
badranger
11 Answers
Crankshaft position sensor. It should be right behind the harmonic balancer/ crank pulley but did you check all fuses and relays?
Crankshaft position sensor is the same part as the distributor pickup coil when I look it up for my pickup. Yes I have checked the fuses and relays, I can hear the fuel pump turn on when I turn the key on as well.
You're thinking of the camshaft position sensor which when in the dizzy is more of a "hall effect" sensor. Check behind the crank pulley, its a 2 wire sensor. I have a 94 b4000 and know that vintage of ranger/b-series pretty well
Okay I will try finding that and replacing it. Thanks @Brianator
@Brianator this is what I have found online, when I go to search for a replacement i can't find one for the 3.0l only for the 2.3l and the 4.0l There is no crankshaft position sensor on your 3.0L Ranger. A little description on exactly how that ignition system operates, perhaps as a method of refocusing on your issues: The distributor uses a Hall Effect vane switch assembly that causes the ignition coil to be switched OFF and ON by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) . The vane switch assembly consists of a Hall Effect sensor on one side and a permanent magnet on the other side. A rotary vane cup, that is gear driven, is used to trigger the signal ON and OFF. When the window of the vane cup is between the magnet and Hall Effect device, a magnetic flux field is completed from the magnet through the Hall Effect device and back to the magnet. This interruption of the primary current controls the ignition coil secondary to produce high voltage, as high as 40,000 volts, to fire the spark plugs. The signal is then used by the PCM for crankshaft position sensing and the computation of the desired spark advance based on engine demand and calibration.
I couldn't find it aftermarket either (may be dealer only) but found the existence of thr connector for it at rockauto. Having been previously in autoparts ill tell you its not a rarity for it to happen. Camshaft and hall effect sensors control fuel injection timing and the crank sensor controls spark timing. Alot of dodges and VW's with electronic distributors use a /pickup/hall/cam sensor in the distributor but all also rely on the crank sensor for spark so of be really surprised if it didnt have one. Honda packs everything inside their distrubutor. I see you're doing your research and thats a good thing!
Badranger, did you find out what is or is not crankshaft position sensor? I cannot find it.
Guru9D8K1Y answered 3 years ago
I have a 94 Mazda b3000 that if you unplug the connection to the distributor, it will spark, but won't if you turn it over with the key,,? Got any clue for me..? It has no crank sensor on the balancer, and no ecm that I can find on the fire wall. I'm stumped..
Badranger did you ever find out what the trouble was?
@badranger what ended up being the problem?
