Borrowed the neighbor's pickup to do a couple dump runs and noticed it ran like complete crap. Falls on it's face at low RPM lake offs, bucks when you try to rapidly change speed, idle is a little "off", and the check engine light was on.
Took it to have the code read and got "P0320 Distributor/Ignition: No engine speed input"
I was thinking "Crank angle sensor" can anyone with experience chime in?
Also, what's changing one like? I think I can see it at about 11 o-clock on the crank pulley, but it's tight enough in there that I can't make out how it's mounted etc.
1996 Ford Danger-Ranger with 4-cyl (two plugs per cylinder. I thought that was pretty neat)
Thanks!
-Bill
Crank sensor would be my guess.
Same idea as above but double check that is has power. BTDT.
Knurled
PowerDork
9/15/14 11:58 a.m.
If the crank sensor was bad then it would not run at all.
My gut feeling is that it is running on fixed timing. Quick search says, in a nutshell, the code sets when two consecutive erratic PIP signals occur. Check for RFI interference from plug wires/coils (arcing or otherwise) or poorly installed 2 way radio. If that is okay then replace PCM.
Which kind of aligns with my gut feeling. Gotta remember that the crank signal goes to the ignition module, the PCM just tells the ignition module what timing to run. This is why the things are so popular for swapping into other cars, nice 36-1 wheel and simple electronics.
PCM = ECU?
I just talked to him (based on above posts) he says he's just had the ECU replaced by a mechanic friend, it cost him $150. I'm not sure if that was a "new" or a "junkyard part" though. He also has very new looking plug wires (I noticed that when looking under the hood).
I'm afraid I don't have time today to get under there with a meter and see if the plug is getting power. I may try this when I get a chance though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ws8EVQ6NjE
Knurled
PowerDork
9/15/14 5:00 p.m.
PCM = powertrain control module, it's not really an engine controller anymore.
$150 is definitely a used part. The fun part is, without seeing the original problem, you don't know if you made an improvement or made it worse by adding a new problem.
I would ignore the crank sensor. It might be a good idea to throw a scope on it just for S&G but if this is beyond your toolset then I'd just as soon not worry about it. They tend to be there/not there, and the problem is "downstream" of the crank sensor - the PCM and the ignition module are not communicating with each other properly.
Really, first thing I'd check if it was in my bay would be a wet test on the coils, since Ford coil packs love to crack from internal rust. That is never in the trouble tree because rust doesn't happen according to the people who write trouble trees. Then I would carefully inspect the connector, paying close attention to the female contacts related to the PIP, and the wires near the connector related to same. All that and a continuity check between the relevant terminals on the ignition module and the PCM - they should have continuity from one end to the other and NOT have continuity to ground (unless of course it's a ground (:) )
Sounds like a bad cam position sensor if it is a 2.5L Lima engine. Ford likes to use them for ignition timing.
Most likely ignition coil pack. There is also an ignition module that fails.
Like mentioned, if the crank position sensor fails it won't run.
