TEST 10: Testing The CID Crankshaft Position Sensor Signal
So far, you've checked and verified the following things:
- There's no spark from the ignition coil pack that feeds the 4 spark plugs on the exhaust manifold side of the engine when you're cranking the engine (TEST 1).
- That the CKP sensor, the ignition control module, and the ignition coil packs are getting power (TEST 3).
- That the CKP sensor and ignition control module are getting Ground (TEST 4).
- That the CKP sensor is creating and feeding the CKP signal to the ICM (TEST 9).
The next step is to verify that the crankshaft position sensor is generating a CID signal and delivering it to the ignition control module via the top ICM connector wire labeled with the number 2.
Just like the CKP signal, the CID signal can also be tested with your multimeter.
IMPORTANT: The ignition control module must remain connected to its connectors for this test to work. You'll need to use a back probe on the connector or a wire piercing probe on the wire. You can see an example of this tool here: Wire Piercing Tool
OK, to get the CID signal test going, this is what you need to do:
- 1
Remove the spark plugs on the exhaust manifold side of the engine.
Removing the spark plugs makes turning the engine by hand easier. - 2
Connect your multimeter to the wire labeled with the number 2 of the top ignition module connector.
IMPORTANT: The ignition control module must remain connected to its connectors. - 3
Connect the black multimeter test lead on the battery negative (-) terminal.
- 4
Slowly turn the engine by hand.
You can do this by using a ratchet wrench and the appropriate socket on the crankshaft pulley.
NOTE: Don't crank the engine with the starter motor as this will not give you the correct test result. - 5
Your multimeter will read an ON/OFF voltage of 10 to 12 Volts.
ON = 10-12 Volts. OFF = 0 Volts.
OK, let's interpret your test results:
CASE 1: Your multimeter registered an ON/OFF voltage of 10 to 12 Volts (On) and then 0 Volts (Off). This is the correct test result and confirms the crankshaft position sensor is generating a CID signal.
You can conclude that the ignition control module is bad and needs replacement if you have:
- Confirmed that the four exhaust side spark plug wire coil towers ARE NOT sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the CKP sensor, ignition control module, and ignition coil packs are getting power (TEST 3).
- Confirmed that the CKP sensor and ignition control module are getting Ground (TEST 4).
- Confirmed that the CKP sensor is creating and feeding the CKP signal to the ICM (TEST 9).
- Confirmed that the CKP sensor is creating and feeding the CID signal to the ICM (this test section).
CASE 2: Your multimeter DID NOT record any voltage changes. This test result tells you the crankshaft position is not generating a CID signal.
Double-check that you're testing the correct wire on the top ignition control module connector.
If you still don't see the ON/OFF voltage on your multimeter, the crankshaft position sensor is defective and the cause of the no-spark no-start problem on your 2.3L Ford Ranger (Ford Mustang, Mazda B2300).
TEST 11: Cylinders 1 And 4 Activation Signal (Exhaust Side)
The ignition coil pack fires spark to the exhaust side spark plugs of cylinders 1 and 4 when it receives an activation signal from the ignition control module.
In this test section, you'll use a 12-Volt automotive test light to confirm that the ICM is sending the exhaust side 1/4 activation signal to the ignition coil pack.
The instructions below will help you test this activation signal at the coil pack connector.
The result of this test will help you determine if the ignition coil pack that supplies spark to the exhaust side spark plugs (for cylinders 1 and 4) is defective or if the ignition control module is defective.
NOTE: To perform this test, you'll need to crank the engine in your 2.3L Ford Ranger (Ford Mustang, Mazda B2300). Be careful and take all necessary safety precautions!
OK, to start this test, this is what you need to do:
- 1
Connect the sharp end of your 12 Volt test light to the wire that connects to the terminal labeled with the number 1.
If you pierce the wire with the test light, do it a few inches away from the coil pack connector.
On the 1989-1993 2.3L Ford Ranger and 1991 2.3 Ford Mustang, this will be the tan with red stripe wire.
On the 1994 2.3L Ford Ranger (Mazda B2300) and 1992-1993 2.3 Ford Mustang, this will be the tan with white stripe wire.
NOTE: Remember, you're testing the coil pack that feeds spark to the exhaust side spark plugs. - 2
Connect the 12 Volt test light's alligator clip directly on the battery positive (+) post.
- 3
When ready, have a helper crank and start the engine while you observe the 12 Volt test light.
IMPORTANT: Both the coil pack and the ignition module must be connected to their connectors for this test. - 4
The 12 Volt test light should flash ON and OFF as the engine cranks.
NOTE: Whatever the test light does when you turn on the key and before you start the engine DOES NOT matter, the result you want to look for is when the engine is cranking.
OK, let's interpret your test results:
CASE 1: The 12 Volt test light flashed ON and OFF. This is the correct test result and confirms that the ignition control module (ICM) is working properly and sending the activation signal the ignition coil pack needs to fire spark to the exhaust side spark plugs for cylinders 1 and 4.
You can correctly conclude that the ignition coil pack is bad and needs to be replaced, if you have:
- Confirmed that the exhaust manifold side spark plug wires for cylinders 2 and 3 are sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side spark plug wires for cylinders 1 and 4 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil towers for cylinders 1 and 4 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 5).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil pack is receiving the 1/4 activation signal (this test section).
CASE 2: The 12 Volts test light DID NOT flash ON and OFF. This tells you that the ignition control module (ICM) is NOT sending the activation signal the ignition coil pack needs to fire spark to the exhaust side spark plugs for cylinders 1 and 4.
This test result tells you that the ignition control module is defective, if you have:
- Confirmed that the exhaust manifold side spark plug wires for cylinders 2 and 3 are sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust manifold side spark plug wires for cylinders 1 and 4 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil towers for cylinders 1 and 4 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 5).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil pack IS NOT receiving the 1/4 activation signal (this test section).
TEST 12: Cylinders 2 And 3 Activation Signal (Exhaust Side)
The ignition coil pack fires spark to the exhaust side spark plugs of cylinders 2 and 3 when it receives an activation signal from the ignition control module.
In this test section, you'll use a 12-Volt automotive test light to confirm that the ICM is sending the cylinders 2/3 activation signal to the ignition coil pack.
The instructions below will help you test this activation signal at the coil pack connector.
The result of this test will help you determine if the ignition coil pack that supplies spark to the exhaust side spark plugs (for cylinders 2 and 3) is defective or if the ignition control module is defective.
NOTE: To perform this test, you'll need to crank the engine in your 2.3L Ford Ranger (Ford Mustang, Mazda B2300). Be careful and take all necessary safety precautions!
OK, to start this test, this is what you need to do:
- 1
Connect the sharp end of your 12 Volt test light to the wire that connects to the terminal labeled with the number 3.
If you pierce the wire with the test light, do it a few inches away from the coil pack connector.
On all vehicles covered by this tutorial, this will be the tan with orange stripe wire.
NOTE: Remember, you're testing the coil pack that feeds spark to the exhaust side spark plugs. - 2
Connect the 12 Volt test light's alligator clip directly on the battery positive (+) post.
- 3
When ready, have a helper crank and start the engine while you observe the 12 Volt test light.
IMPORTANT: Both the coil pack and the ignition module must be connected to their connectors for this test. - 4
The 12 Volt test light should flash ON and OFF as the engine cranks.
NOTE: Whatever the test light does when you turn on the key and before you start the engine DOES NOT matter, the result you want to look for is when the engine is cranking.
Let's find out what your test results mean:
CASE 1: The 12 Volt test light flashed ON and OFF. This is the correct test result and confirms that the ignition control module (ICM) is working properly and sending the activation signal the ignition coil pack needs to fire spark to the exhaust side spark plugs for cylinders 2 and 3.
You can correctly conclude that the ignition coil pack is bad and needs to be replaced, if you have:
- Confirmed that the exhaust manifold side spark plug wires for cylinders 1 and 4 are sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side spark plug wires for cylinders 2 and 3 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil towers for cylinders 2 and 3 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 6).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil pack is receiving the 2/3 activation signal (this test section).
CASE 2: The 12 Volts test light DID NOT flash ON and OFF. This tells you that the ignition control module (ICM) is NOT sending the activation signal the ignition coil pack needs to fire spark to the exhaust side spark plugs for cylinders 2 and 3.
This test result tells you that the ignition control module is defective, if you have:
- Confirmed that the exhaust manifold side spark plug wires for cylinders 1 and 4 are sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust manifold side spark plug wires for cylinders 2 and 3 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil towers for cylinders 2 and 3 ARE NOT sparking (TEST 6).
- Confirmed that the exhaust side ignition coil pack IS NOT receiving the 2/3 activation signal (this test section).
