99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL

(1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual)

"fixizin" wrote:

Truck is low usage, only 33K miles in 9 years, all in hot climates, and
is probably dying from "dry rot" of hoses, bushings, and... wiring?
Engine will die at any RPM or loading. Tachometer drops to zero, even
though momentum and manual tranny are obviously keeping engine
revved. Does that indicate ignition cut-out vs. fuel failure?
After key-off, will usually re-start after 30secs to several minutes.
PCM spits out no codes, does not light MIL. (Could it be the FoMoCo
built-in ANTI-THEFT system? Is that feature within the PCM?)
PS: OBD-II scanner, when booting up, says "RUNNING OBD-II SYSTEM
TESTS..." then it says "ALL SUPPORTED TESTS ARE NOT COMPLETE"
before advancing to the usual menus. Bad sign? Any insights?
______________________________________________________

The first thing I would suspect is the ignition module (or TFI).
It is subject to intermittent failure when heated, and it is the
source of the pulses which drive the tach and the distributor.

Good luck.

Rodan.
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL 

"Rodan" <Rodan.RemoveThis@verizon.NOT> wrote in news:hzSEj.101$Xl2.74@trndny01:

> The first thing I would suspect is the ignition module (or TFI).
> It is subject to intermittent failure when heated, and it is the
> source of the pulses which drive the tach and the distributor.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Rodan.

Thanks, that's a good insight and likely suspect, but could that occur
withOUT triggering an OBD-II code? The PCM seems to be pretty "well
wired" to ignition issues. It once detected a specific cylinder
misfiring, and sure enough, that plug's electrode had separated deep
inside the ceramic, and came right out with the boot when I gave it a
tug.
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL 

"Ripcord" <kf.RemoveThis@beth.net> wrote in news:ZPREj.24947$rC6.3795
@bignews4.bellsouth.net:

> The only thing I can think of is a power failure at the computer(lose
> connection or overheating).

Day-um, that's one massive harness. It might explain no code too,
though I've had the reader hooked up when it happens, and no indication
of re-boot... OTOH, I'd better disco the battery, and see if there
actually *IS* any indication of when the PCM loses power completely, and
does a cold-start and re-learn...??? Hmmm... embrace the learning
experience... ;')

Any ideas WHERE to probe with a meter to check power or GROUND?
(Although I assume PCM is well-grounded via its chassis bolted directly
to body, etc...? ) Guess I should dive in, pull harness, and clean both
male and female connectors with contact cleaner, Gold-wipes, etc. Truck
has been in both DUSTY (AZ) and HUMID (FL) locales.

Thanks, I'll report back...
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL 

On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:31:08 +0000, fixizin rearranged some electrons to
say:

> --> 1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual
>
> Truck is low usage, only 33K miles in 9 years, all in hot climates, and
> is probably dying from "dry rot" of hoses, bushings, and... wiring?
>
> Engine will die at any RPM or loading. Tachometer drops to zero, even
> though momentum and manual tranny are obviously keeping engine revved.
> Does that indicate ignition cut-out vs. fuel failure?
>
> After key-off, will usually re-start after 30secs to several minutes.
>
> PCM spits out no codes, does not light MIL. (Could it be the FoMoCo
> built-in ANTI-THEFT system? Is that feature within the PCM?)
>
> PS: OBD-II scanner, when booting up, says "RUNNING OBD-II SYSTEM
> TESTS..."
> then it says "ALL SUPPORTED TESTS ARE NOT COMPLETE" before advancing to
> the usual menus. Bad sign?
>
> WTF? Any insights from the RKIs? Thanks in advance,

Check for a loose battery cable, or a bad ground connection to the frame.
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL 

On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:50:05 +0000, Rodan rearranged some electrons to
say:

> (1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual)
>
> "fixizin" wrote:
>
> Truck is low usage, only 33K miles in 9 years, all in hot climates, and
> is probably dying from "dry rot" of hoses, bushings, and... wiring?
> Engine will die at any RPM or loading. Tachometer drops to zero, even
> though momentum and manual tranny are obviously keeping engine revved.
> Does that indicate ignition cut-out vs. fuel failure? After key-off,
> will usually re-start after 30secs to several minutes. PCM spits out no
> codes, does not light MIL. (Could it be the FoMoCo built-in ANTI-THEFT
> system? Is that feature within the PCM?) PS: OBD-II scanner, when
> booting up, says "RUNNING OBD-II SYSTEM TESTS..." then it says "ALL
> SUPPORTED TESTS ARE NOT COMPLETE" before advancing to the usual menus.
> Bad sign? Any insights?
> ______________________________________________________
>
> The first thing I would suspect is the ignition module (or TFI). It is
> subject to intermittent failure when heated, and it is the source of the
> pulses which drive the tach and the distributor.
>
> Good luck.
>
> Rodan.

Ford stopped using TFI's in the mid 90's, I think.
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL 

david <none RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in
news:47e4e090$0$30692$4c368faf@roadrunner.com:

> On Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:50:05 +0000, Rodan rearranged some electrons to
> say:
>
>> The first thing I would suspect is the ignition module (or TFI). It
>> is subject to intermittent failure when heated, and it is the source
>> of the pulses which drive the tach and the distributor.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> Rodan.
>
> Ford stopped using TFI's in the mid 90's, I think.

Granted, but there's still some analagous part in the ignition system
that signals RPMs to the tachometer... seems like a good place to start
the bug hunt... if it EVER stops raining.
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL 

fixizin <DuhFixIsIn RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in
news:Xns9A68382B4FC12fixizinyahoocom@216.77.188.18:

> --> 1999 Ranger XL 4x4 Supercab 3.0L "v"VIN (Flex-Fuel) 5-speed manual

SOLVED! Turned out to be the DPFE (Differential Pressure Feedback EGR)
sensor! It's up-top and easy to replace. Dang, that's the second
"emissions" component that's left me dead on the side of the road (IAC
earlier). Puppy runs much better since it's no longer TOO LEAN.

Kind of embarrassed I didn't figure it out myself, but my Lexus insider
hooked me up with a Ford insider, and it was no mystery to him, lol.
Now on to replace ALL my vacuum hoses.

He also checked out my fuel tank and entire fuel loop--all clear, no
GUNK. Today's sealed systems w/ charcoal cannisters do the J-O-B. So
leaving the truck sit with 1/4 tank no problem with condensation, and
not enough time for fuel to "go bad". (Still gotta Dremel open the old
fuel filter...)

Turns out DPFE failure WAS related to the P0401 code, as the DPFE is the
main determinant of how far to open the EGR. But the bugger was that it
SELDOM spit out the P0401, and NEVER spit it out during a "fainting"
episode. It might die 10 or more times before kicking out a code or
lighting the MIL. So much for useful codes for the DIY amateur from the
EEC-V/PCM.

Thanks to everyone for sharing your FoMoCo experiences and insights!
 >> Stay informed about: 99 Ranger: Engine cuts out randomly, NO codes, NO MIL