At My Wits End
#1
At My Wits End
Good evening. My son's 89 Ranger was running great. He got home from work, pulled in and shut it off. The next morning he got up to go to work and it wouldn't start so he took my car. I took a look at it, wiggled the wires that go to the ICM and it started right up. The next day he tried to start it and it would not start, again. For the sake of brevity, I followed a diagnostic chart that showed the ICM was bad. I replaced the ICM, then the exhaust side coil. still will not start reliably. When I can get it to start it runs great. The problem is getting it to start. Wiggling the wires can unreliably get it to start. I'm thinking of replacing the connectors that go to the ICM., but It appears I can only get one, I think the bottom connector. My questions are, 1 does anyone know where I can get both connectors? 2 am I barking up the wrong tree here?
#2
Welcome to the forum
1989-1994 2.3l used the ICM unit for spark, its on the front end of the lower intake right behind the fan
Yes, these run hot and are known to fail
They also were known to lose chassis Ground, grounded by the 3 screws that hold it to the lower intake
These were known to rust out and cause starting/running issues
You put a new one on and did you clean or replace the 3 screws, and get all 3 back in place, the old ones like to break off, lol
I think the one or two on passenger side were the chassis grounds, if memory serves, so at least one of those must be a good ground, some people add a ground wire to one of those screws just to be sure
Crank sensor, its starts everything, no crank sensor pulse and no spark, or anything else, computer also use it to time injectors
Crank sensor wires come out the back of the timing belt cover on drivers side, round 4 wire connector, and plug into the ICMs wiring harness
Unplug its 4 wire connector and check it, then plug it back in, this cleans the contacts
Never tried to get connectors for these, but they are the same connectors at both ends, just different wires
Connectors were never an issue as far as breaking, just brittle wires and dirty pins
1989-1994 2.3l used the ICM unit for spark, its on the front end of the lower intake right behind the fan
Yes, these run hot and are known to fail
They also were known to lose chassis Ground, grounded by the 3 screws that hold it to the lower intake
These were known to rust out and cause starting/running issues
You put a new one on and did you clean or replace the 3 screws, and get all 3 back in place, the old ones like to break off, lol
I think the one or two on passenger side were the chassis grounds, if memory serves, so at least one of those must be a good ground, some people add a ground wire to one of those screws just to be sure
Crank sensor, its starts everything, no crank sensor pulse and no spark, or anything else, computer also use it to time injectors
Crank sensor wires come out the back of the timing belt cover on drivers side, round 4 wire connector, and plug into the ICMs wiring harness
Unplug its 4 wire connector and check it, then plug it back in, this cleans the contacts
Never tried to get connectors for these, but they are the same connectors at both ends, just different wires
Connectors were never an issue as far as breaking, just brittle wires and dirty pins
Last edited by RonD; 07-06-2022 at 12:13 PM.
#3
Welcome to the forum
1989-1994 2.3l used the ICM unit for spark, its on the front end of the lower intake right behind the fan
Yes, these run hot and are known to fail
They also were known to lose chassis Ground, grounded by the 3 screws that hold it to the lower intake
These were known to rust out and cause starting/running issues
You put a new one on and did you clean or replace the 3 screws, and get all 3 back in place, the old ones like to break off, lol
I think the one or two on passenger side were the chassis grounds, if memory serves, so at least one of those must be a good ground, some people add a ground wire to one of those screws just to be sure
Crank sensor, its starts everything, no crank sensor pulse and no spark, or anything else, computer also use it to time injectors
Crank sensor wires come out the back of the timing belt cover on drivers side, round 4 wire connector, and plug into the ICMs wiring harness
Unplug its 4 wire connector and check it, then plug it back in, this cleans the contacts
Never tried to get connectors for these, but they are the same connectors at both ends, just different wires
Connectors were never an issue as far as breaking, just brittle wires and dirty pins
1989-1994 2.3l used the ICM unit for spark, its on the front end of the lower intake right behind the fan
Yes, these run hot and are known to fail
They also were known to lose chassis Ground, grounded by the 3 screws that hold it to the lower intake
These were known to rust out and cause starting/running issues
You put a new one on and did you clean or replace the 3 screws, and get all 3 back in place, the old ones like to break off, lol
I think the one or two on passenger side were the chassis grounds, if memory serves, so at least one of those must be a good ground, some people add a ground wire to one of those screws just to be sure
Crank sensor, its starts everything, no crank sensor pulse and no spark, or anything else, computer also use it to time injectors
Crank sensor wires come out the back of the timing belt cover on drivers side, round 4 wire connector, and plug into the ICMs wiring harness
Unplug its 4 wire connector and check it, then plug it back in, this cleans the contacts
Never tried to get connectors for these, but they are the same connectors at both ends, just different wires
Connectors were never an issue as far as breaking, just brittle wires and dirty pins
But thank you for taking the time to respond, I do appreciate it.
#5
It passed the spin test. Here is what i thought was the answer. This test is what I based ordering a new ICM from.
https://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford...sensor-tests-1
I just found the other connector. Both are Standard Motor Products The Black one (Top) is S546 and the Gray one (Bottom) is S544. I'll solder them in when they arrive let everyone how it works out.
https://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford...sensor-tests-1
I just found the other connector. Both are Standard Motor Products The Black one (Top) is S546 and the Gray one (Bottom) is S544. I'll solder them in when they arrive let everyone how it works out.
Last edited by DanK; 07-06-2022 at 04:21 PM.
#6
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