Don't feel bad. I saw a similar problem on a medium-sized CNC mill. One loose power connection screw (there were six) caused all sorts of faults in the machine. It took a very experienced electrician all day to trace the problem. A fix is a win. 👍
Had an E-stop button switch do that to a CNC years ago. All the panicked hand-smashing of the E-stop all those years loosened the connections just enough that the machine would not alarm out but would jump/shift its position. Causing all kinds of inaccuracies. Everyone was saying the control was no good! The boards are bad! The power from the electric Co. is bad! ETC. NOPE! A loose wire at the E-stop was all it was. That same machine still makes good parts from me tightening a screw 20 some odd years ago. Nutty huh?
We had a NC wire wrap machine in the factory that would trip out with a limit switch fault. Problem was, it was never near a limit switch when it tripped out. We ended up building a latch to capture the state of all the limit switches when it tripped to figure out which one was intermittent. The latch told us it hit all the limits at the same time. Loose terminal on the power feed to the limit switches.
Once again our seriously patient uber professional intrepid mechanic Wess takes on a brain twisting problem that's slightly agravating yet he still manages to fix the problem without multiple tossed tools and cussing that would make a 30 year minimum Chief Petty Officer blush. Another outstanding episode to entertain me on my way to the VA hospital for a pulmanary apointment. Thanks Wes.
He edits out the thrown tools and the cursing, let's be real. Conversely, we can tell Mustie1 has no such character aspects because he's always laughing and having a good time. At least we think so...LOL 😀
Obviously something was nagging at you to check again before firing the parts cannon, and that's what matters for a customer - making sure of the diagnostic where possible.
Wes you never fail to amaze me with your methodical electrical diagnosis! I have a buddy that I grew up with who is a professional Mechanic like you. I always call on him to fix the electrical gremlins that I run into. He in turn has me do all his welding projects. If you know, you know! LOL!
Wes I am glad you are part of a special group who looks to maintain these older vehicles and not give up on them. Granted the computer controlled vehicle is here to stay, there are still not many people who can and will take the time like you and the special class of mechanic you belong to.
Dude hats off to you most mechanics would have given up half way through! I wish I had someone like you where I live. I have a 91 and a 94 and I love then both.
Wes, Thank you for putting out this video.I have been chasing my butt trying to figure out my issue with my 95 Ranger 3.0. I have the almost same identical issue. Only difference was I could crank and run it while it was completely cold. I threw the parts cannon at this turd. I replaced the fuel pump, filter,modulator, coil, crank shaft position sensor and the PCM. It wasn't till after I saw this video did I even try the coolant temperature sensor. Once I replaced, it crank and runs every time! Who woulda thunk it!!! Thanks for all the great content. Greatful, Jim Smith
The old Ranger was one of Fords best vesicles ever made in fact still many around (the small Chevy and Dodge trucks of that era not so much all rotted away or quit running.....new Rangers well remains to be seen.Wes is a wizard at repair of all kinds think how much he will know by time he gets gray hair and a few wrinkles.
Don't doubt yourself Wes 🙂👍 You done a great job with the diagnosis and also the video. Glad to see you're doing well. Take care, be safe and happy wrenching 🔧
Wes, Great job on that one! I had a 90 Ranger of the same Flavor. Your Connector delete is the ticket. Had the same issue. You could crank on that thing all day long but wouldn't start. I went through 2 computers before we started looking elsewhere. My buddy just happened to pull that connector apart and found all the green crusties and burn marks. We deleted and that truck never had that problem again after that. I sold it and it went until around 2006 or 2007 when that old man finally junked it because the frame rotted out.
Yup. Ford's dual ignition system idea. It was my understanding that the idea of two plugs per cylinder was thought to provide a more complete fuel burn and, therefore, fewer emissions out the tailpipe. As a general rule of thumb Wes, if you find something on an internal combustion engine that is unnecessary, overly complicated, or just plain stupid, you can bet the shop our good ol' Uncle Sam was in some way involved when the dubious idea was hatched. Great job tracking down that particular nasty gremlin Wes.
Don't be hard on yourself. You told the story like it happened. You were on the right track from the get-go. This happens to doctors. Lawyers and such that they end up not knowing how or why the outcome was good , thats all that counts in the end. Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good.
I give it 3 months and that Ranger will be back ... you've made friends with it now and it will miss you. The perils of not using hammers unnecessarily ... Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦
Oh yes, Ford's great idea for dual ignition systems that have 8 plugs on a 4 cylinder. And one would think the addition of the second ignition system would yield extra power...not in this universe. You seriously have to understand how to pull out in traffic if you want to survive such a blend into traffic move without a hospital visit or worst! Love your diagnostic efforts every time. I say you have the absolute best vehicle problem-solving channel on UT... Thumps Up!
More spark doesn't equate to more power, I mean what are you going to do ignite the A/F even harder or twice? I think it's an emissions thing but I know nothing about that
Ford wants to build more EV's which I think is a terrible idea becuase every Ford that has been in my family since the 1960's has had some kind of electrical problems straigjht from the factory!
@@Hjerte_Verke Don't know how it works but Nissan built a 2ltr 4cyl twin spark fuel injected in the eighties & they were fantastic would do 200kph easy & reguarly.(I had one).
Your hamster powered internet must be running hot Wes, It's so good to see you posting more often! Also can you buy an oil burning RAV4 cheap from down south and swap your rebuilt engine in?
Enough editing skills to make it look like you know what you’re doing? Wes, this is textbook diagnostic work. You are a awesome technician!!! This is the kind of fix that makes a man legendary. I’ve seen too many “technicians” just aim and fire the old parts cannon.
I appreciate Wes' transparency and thoughtfulness, both with the repairs and the videos. It does make me wonder however, how many PCMs have been replaced over the years just due to faulty connectors, where the problem was actually fixed just by virtue of removing and reinstalling things. Of course integrated circuits and printed boards are not infallible, but I think too many folks assume they are at fault just because they don't take the time to understand them.
Wes, your vijayos have given me the confidence to, to, to, well, drive my unrusted snot bucket to upper Illinois from Washington state and see what you can do with it. 1980 f-100 Ranger with 5.0 Mustang mill. Cheers, K
Yep, when I talk about replacing 8 spark plugs on my four cylinder truck, people look at me like I'm nuts. I loved that little truck. I still wish I'd kept it. Good save on a 32 year old truck. I almost bought one just like that. It probably sounds stupid, but that red dashboard was so close to the same as that on my '82 Escort, and that car had been such a piece of junk, that I chose the blue one because I couldn't stand the reminder. That Escort forced me to learn mechanic skills. I couldn't afford to pay for all the work it continually needed.
Great video Wess. A man that can miss diagnose something then is man enough to ad mit it. That's just good ole honesty. That why I love watching you chanel . Keep coming. .
WES, kudos to U ! Myself, worked in electronics field 37 years. Disliked it working on intermittent problems. But, my company frowned on "to much time on diagnostics!", it was just plug in a new mod to get it up and running! Thing was, it seemed they always found time for you to FIX it in the worst weather conditions in the winter!
Sometimes you get those what the heck and still get it fixed... Dont ask, just appreciate it got fixed. 50+ years, yeah its all good Wes. You did good.
Bad connector... I don't know how many times I've made a dead car start again by unplugging a connector and plugging it back in. Good thing you found it before ordering the ECU!
Great job! It's very frustrating when it just starts working when you barely touch it. I love the line "don't thing I have enough editing skills to make me look like I know what I'm doing" 🤣
Looks like a day (or longer) in the life of a real mech/tech, Wes! I am sure everyone has more respect for you that you didn't edit this video into some fake super repair. As always, fun to spend time with you and your daily routine.
Always good to see the problem resolved! But it will keep you awake at night waiting for the truck to come back because the intermittent ground fault will sneak back and bit you in the ....:)
Sometimes we get off track...ya still fixed it which is what is important. My OCD would not have let me get rid of the connector. I'd have put a weatherpack/metripak in it just to annoy the Ford guys...and I have a ready stash in the shop. 🤣
I've also run into some confusing wiring problems on older Fords. On a friend of mine's truck I had no fire at the plugs. Each individual component seemed to test good. Finally I just took apart and cleaned every connection in the system. That did it and he said it had never run better. A couple of other times I had crank no start and tested it with an extra ground cable from battery to engine block. That fixed both of them and I don't really remember what pointed me in that direction. Maybe the cable was getting hot while cranking. Those were a Mustang and a van.
i remember those three chromed screws holding the fake 4 wd switch image cap on those aluminum wheel rangers. they came with the plastic inserts my ranger never left me stranded
I don’t think there’s a more realistic, practical, and down to earth repair channel on UA-cam. Thanks for sharing, Wes, we love you!
Seriously
3 days in a row. with all the crap going on in the world, there is a glimmer of hope. Thanks Wes. another good one. I'm getting used to this.
Yeah, plenty of crap.
Don't feel bad. I saw a similar problem on a medium-sized CNC mill. One loose power connection screw (there were six) caused all sorts of faults in the machine.
It took a very experienced electrician all day to trace the problem. A fix is a win. 👍
Yup sh!t like this happens all the time. Mysterious are the ways of the electron.
Had an E-stop button switch do that to a CNC years ago. All the panicked hand-smashing of the E-stop all those years loosened the connections just enough that the machine would not alarm out but would jump/shift its position. Causing all kinds of inaccuracies. Everyone was saying the control was no good! The boards are bad! The power from the electric Co. is bad! ETC. NOPE! A loose wire at the E-stop was all it was. That same machine still makes good parts from me tightening a screw 20 some odd years ago. Nutty huh?
We had a NC wire wrap machine in the factory that would trip out with a limit switch fault. Problem was, it was never near a limit switch when it tripped out. We ended up building a latch to capture the state of all the limit switches when it tripped to figure out which one was intermittent. The latch told us it hit all the limits at the same time. Loose terminal on the power feed to the limit switches.
3 videos this past week is so cool. A real treat. Those older vehicles can sure have a lot of gremlins as they age don’t they.
"We towed it in, we drove it out!" That's what counts and we count on Wes for the best, most logical repairs. Amen.
Once again our seriously patient uber professional intrepid mechanic Wess takes on a brain twisting problem that's slightly agravating yet he still manages to fix the problem without multiple tossed tools and cussing that would make a 30 year minimum Chief Petty Officer blush.
Another outstanding episode to entertain me on my way to the VA hospital for a pulmanary apointment.
Thanks Wes.
Editing does wonders don't it. You did see him attack the back wall with a car not too long ago right?
That was the next option.
It helps to be self employed sometimes. lol
@@WatchWesWork ironically and even funnier Mortske just made the same reference about it in his video that dropped this am as well LOL
He edits out the thrown tools and the cursing, let's be real. Conversely, we can tell Mustie1 has no such character aspects because he's always laughing and having a good time. At least we think so...LOL 😀
Honesty is always the bedrock of integrity that's why we keep coming back. Keep doing what you're doing please.
Yupp
Don't be too hard on yourself Wes! You found something most of us would never even know how to look for. I'm still amazed at your diagnosing skills.
Towed it in, drove it out, but let's not forget that you saved the customer a chunk of money!
When I used to work for a Ford Dealer I had a rash of (NEW) vehicles with bad crimps from the factory causing many different problems.
Obviously something was nagging at you to check again before firing the parts cannon, and that's what matters for a customer - making sure of the diagnostic where possible.
Wes you never fail to amaze me with your methodical electrical diagnosis! I have a buddy that I grew up with who is a professional Mechanic like you. I always call on him to fix the electrical gremlins that I run into. He in turn has me do all his welding projects. If you know, you know! LOL!
Good morning, Wes! Three in a weekend? Good work! Hope you're enjoying the lovely warm weather after the rounds of storms we saw.
Been watching for years now. Look forward to each one. Wes is a great mechanic and honest, too.
No repair channel I watch is as easy to understand and fun to watch as this guy
Wes I am glad you are part of a special group who looks to maintain these older vehicles and not give up on them. Granted the computer controlled vehicle is here to stay, there are still not many people who can and will take the time like you and the special class of mechanic you belong to.
That doesn’t make you look bad, v skilled diagnosis and the truck worked in the end. 10/10 video.
Dude hats off to you most mechanics would have given up half way through! I wish I had someone like you where I live. I have a 91 and a 94 and I love then both.
You stepped away instead of firing the parts cannon. That is something to be proud of. Not many do that.
Your electrical troubleshooting skills are phenomenal!
Man I don’t miss these. Fords fix for incomplete combustion, second plug.
Someone once told me it’s a Hemi…uh, No.
Nice work!
For it being early 90s stuff, you still did great!
I wish I was closer to you to take my vehicles to you, you are one in a million! Bravo Wes!
I really appreciate you talking out loud as you do your analysis of these problems.
Wes, Thank you for putting out this video.I have been chasing my butt trying to figure out my issue with my 95 Ranger 3.0. I have the almost same identical issue. Only difference was I could crank and run it while it was completely cold. I threw the parts cannon at this turd. I replaced the fuel pump, filter,modulator, coil, crank shaft position sensor and the PCM. It wasn't till after I saw this video did I even try the coolant temperature sensor. Once I replaced, it crank and runs every time! Who woulda thunk it!!! Thanks for all the great content.
Greatful,
Jim Smith
Wes you’re a good man. This Ranger had you all over the map 🗺️.
Great old truck. The stick shift is why it is still on the road.
The old Ranger was one of Fords best vesicles ever made in fact still many around (the small Chevy and Dodge trucks of that era not so much all rotted away or quit running.....new Rangers well remains to be seen.Wes is a wizard at repair of all kinds think how much he will know by time he gets gray hair and a few wrinkles.
Don't doubt yourself Wes 🙂👍 You done a great job with the diagnosis and also the video. Glad to see you're doing well. Take care, be safe and happy wrenching 🔧
It's always the Ground----- except when it's not. Damn Ford ignition module with its special bolts.
Got to have the tool.
Well done Wes! Always a pleasure watching you wrenching on the old stuff.
you're just spoiling us with 3 videos in a weekend. another detective Wes on the wiring trail to enlightenment . Thanks looking forward to next one.
Videos on back to back to back days! Thanks for making my breaks in between working on my taxes much better Wes
You bet!
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good, this is a prime example.
Wes,
Great job on that one! I had a 90 Ranger of the same Flavor. Your Connector delete is the ticket. Had the same issue. You could crank on that thing all day long but wouldn't start. I went through 2 computers before we started looking elsewhere. My buddy just happened to pull that connector apart and found all the green crusties and burn marks. We deleted and that truck never had that problem again after that. I sold it and it went until around 2006 or 2007 when that old man finally junked it because the frame rotted out.
I remember this truck. Good to see it's not in hospice care yet.
Yup. Ford's dual ignition system idea. It was my understanding that the idea of two plugs per cylinder was thought to provide a more complete fuel burn and, therefore, fewer emissions out the tailpipe. As a general rule of thumb Wes, if you find something on an internal combustion engine that is unnecessary, overly complicated, or just plain stupid, you can bet the shop our good ol' Uncle Sam was in some way involved when the dubious idea was hatched. Great job tracking down that particular nasty gremlin Wes.
Don't be hard on yourself. You told the story like it happened. You were on the right track
from the get-go. This happens to doctors. Lawyers and such that they end up not knowing how or why the outcome was good , thats all that counts in the end. Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good.
Bypassing those connectors for 40+ years.
Wes, your strive and attitude on these old machines to me is what makes these videos unique. Do not give up on them.
I give it 3 months and that Ranger will be back ... you've made friends with it now and it will miss you. The perils of not using hammers unnecessarily ...
Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦
Oh yes, Ford's great idea for dual ignition systems that have 8 plugs on a 4 cylinder. And one would think the addition of the second ignition system would yield extra power...not in this universe. You seriously have to understand how to pull out in traffic if you want to survive such a blend into traffic move without a hospital visit or worst! Love your diagnostic efforts every time. I say you have the absolute best vehicle problem-solving channel on UT... Thumps Up!
Aircraft run dual spark plugs, and have done so for decades. For light aircraft, it is a FAA requirement
More spark doesn't equate to more power, I mean what are you going to do ignite the A/F even harder or twice? I think it's an emissions thing but I know nothing about that
Ford wants to build more EV's which I think is a terrible idea becuase every Ford that has been in my family since the 1960's has had some kind of electrical problems straigjht from the factory!
@@Hjerte_Verke Don't know how it works but Nissan built a 2ltr 4cyl twin spark fuel injected in the eighties & they were fantastic would do 200kph easy & reguarly.(I had one).
it wasnt for more power it was to burn the fuel left over in the exhaust for emissions standards.
Your hamster powered internet must be running hot Wes, It's so good to see you posting more often!
Also can you buy an oil burning RAV4 cheap from down south and swap your rebuilt engine in?
Wes videos 3 days in a row. Life is good
Enough editing skills to make it look like you know what you’re doing? Wes, this is textbook diagnostic work. You are a awesome technician!!! This is the kind of fix that makes a man legendary. I’ve seen too many “technicians” just aim and fire the old parts cannon.
3 videos in 3 days!! Is that dome kind of Easter gift or something? Love it!
Burning through the backlog.
I appreciate Wes' transparency and thoughtfulness, both with the repairs and the videos.
It does make me wonder however, how many PCMs have been replaced over the years just due to faulty connectors, where the problem was actually fixed just by virtue of removing and reinstalling things. Of course integrated circuits and printed boards are not infallible, but I think too many folks assume they are at fault just because they don't take the time to understand them.
Love when you do the Oliver Hardy face. Great video 👍 👍
The point is, you found the problem and made a successful repair. A Win is a Win.
Wow, 3 videos in 3 days, what an awesome way to start the week
Hey Wes👋, good video on the ranger. Just had fun with that issue on 96 f250. Thanks for sharing 👍 Have a great week ahead
That's a nice little truck. I'm glad you don't have to eat a PCM.
The old Ford ... Still kicking
Wes, your vijayos have given me the confidence to, to, to, well, drive my unrusted snot bucket to upper Illinois from Washington state and see what you can do with it. 1980 f-100 Ranger with 5.0 Mustang mill. Cheers, K
Having a couple of months to work on that truck and double-checking your original diagnosis worked out very well for you! I just love happy endings!
Job security is what that truck resembles
Sometimes you have to walk away and come back later. Fresh ideas does it every time.
A win is a win. Nice job!
Yep, when I talk about replacing 8 spark plugs on my four cylinder truck, people look at me like I'm nuts. I loved that little truck. I still wish I'd kept it. Good save on a 32 year old truck. I almost bought one just like that. It probably sounds stupid, but that red dashboard was so close to the same as that on my '82 Escort, and that car had been such a piece of junk, that I chose the blue one because I couldn't stand the reminder. That Escort forced me to learn mechanic skills. I couldn't afford to pay for all the work it continually needed.
I really love these kind of videos on repair projects etc
Simply difficult, the most aggravating problems.
Great job Wes, another happy customer blissfully unaware of the headache.
Thanks for sharing
Here's what happened. You got it running. Have a nice day.
I had that same truck in a 97'. After I sold it, the spring shackles performed a delete tactic.
They will do that!
5:02
The parts are made in Malaysia. Proud to see it there.
Great video Wess. A man that can miss diagnose something then is man enough to ad mit it. That's just good ole honesty. That why I love watching you chanel . Keep coming. .
WES, kudos to U ! Myself, worked in electronics field 37 years. Disliked it working on intermittent problems. But, my company frowned on "to much time on diagnostics!", it was just plug in a new mod to get it up and running! Thing was, it seemed they always found time for you to FIX it in the worst weather conditions in the winter!
Reminds me of fixing my 93 f350 by getting pissed and flopping some wires around on the side of the road. Fixed it.
Sometimes you get those what the heck and still get it fixed... Dont ask, just appreciate it got fixed. 50+ years, yeah its all good Wes. You did good.
Bad connector... I don't know how many times I've made a dead car start again by unplugging a connector and plugging it back in. Good thing you found it before ordering the ECU!
Said it before, love it when Wess gets out a single line.
Moses sandals, 3 days in a row for uploads! A 90's Ford with the Porno red interior is such a timeless classic!
3 days in a row Wes movies.... and it's not even my birthday!!😁 thanks Wes!! keep them coming.
Great video, we just need more videos. Thanks for all you do
those mysteries, all vehicles manufactures have them
Great job! It's very frustrating when it just starts working when you barely touch it. I love the line "don't thing I have enough editing skills to make me look like I know what I'm doing" 🤣
Who but Wes would find that one . Man a dealer tech would make a MENT on that one.
Well at least ya got a good end result brol, maybe a few more great hairs too. Safe travels
Neat Job Wes. Have a great week.
Bad terminals are a nightmare Les, good video, very interesting diagnosis
The fact that someone is putting money into a 2wd, 4 banger Ranger is mind-blowing to me. Good job as always Wes
truck prices these days is why. even used beaters are outrageous.
I had a truck just like that, absolutely hated it! Couldn't get out of it's own way.
This you said, "There's your problem, lady" three times. And then, "I don't know what the problem is, but I fixed it. "
Thanks Wes, i really like your test lights, I have made a few of my own and shoegoo'd them to magnets, whatever works.
Shoegoo is my secret weapon.
I think you did ok a mechanic admits he was wrong and still fixes it. Great job 👍
Loose pin tension is always a fun one to hunt down. Thankfully, it didn't lead to a full on fire inside that connector.
I think you did a great work on the Ranger 😊👍
Looks like a day (or longer) in the life of a real mech/tech, Wes! I am sure everyone has more respect for you that you didn't edit this video into some fake super repair. As always, fun to spend time with you and your daily routine.
Really enjoy learning from you diagnostic skills
I had one of those little trucks years ago. It was an awesome truck. I do miss it. Great catch there Wes. Stay safe my friend.
great video Wes,thanks for taking the time to record it and sharing it with us 👏👏👏👍👍👍
Always good to see the problem resolved! But it will keep you awake at night waiting for the truck to come back because the intermittent ground fault will sneak back and bit you in the ....:)
Sometimes we get off track...ya still fixed it which is what is important. My OCD would not have let me get rid of the connector. I'd have put a weatherpack/metripak in it just to annoy the Ford guys...and I have a ready stash in the shop. 🤣
The DIS module is so common on those that I would have went for that as well. Excellent catch there Wes.
I've also run into some confusing wiring problems on older Fords. On a friend of mine's truck I had no fire at the plugs. Each individual component seemed to test good. Finally I just took apart and cleaned every connection in the system. That did it and he said it had never run better. A couple of other times I had crank no start and tested it with an extra ground cable from battery to engine block. That fixed both of them and I don't really remember what pointed me in that direction. Maybe the cable was getting hot while cranking. Those were a Mustang and a van.
Hey drove my '91 Geo Metro today and our lake dried up too! Greetings from Waterdown, Ontario, Canada!
This has been the best 3 days in a while, back to back wes tearing up the crusties!
At least you found the problem, I would have looked until the 2nd coming and still not found it. Nice job sir, thanks for the tag along video.
Lol I truly enjoy watching you work Wes 👍
You probably had an earth AND a power problem, Wes. Fixed is fixed!
Watch Wes Work, the ONLY channel where you get daily crank/no start videos!
Don’t get too used to it. I’m burning through my backlog.
i remember those three chromed screws holding the fake 4 wd switch image cap on those aluminum wheel rangers. they came with the plastic inserts my ranger never left me stranded