Ranger ignition questions

[85lebaront2]

The owner of the shop that does my inspections has an older (glass headlights) Ranger with the 2.9L V6. He has the common issue with the older Ford EFI engines. His TFI module overheats and shuts down. He has ordered a relocation kit but has yet to see it.

My questions are (a) is there a plug to replace the original TFI module for the distributor? (b) if (a) is an unknown, what Cologne V6 distributors for a remote TFI module will fit?

Once the pickup issue is solved, I have enough parts to build the remainder for him as the 1994 Taurus used a remote TFI module. Which brings up the obvious question, will a 3.0L Taurus distributor fit a 2.9L engine?

Thanks for any help on this.

[ratdude747]

The 3.0 is completely different... so AFAIK, it won't fit.

All the TFI relocations I remember reading about on the ranger station called for custom blockoff plates and wiring.

Reference:  https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/remote-mounted-tfi-ignition-module/

[85lebaront2]

I can build that with parts I have, thanks!

[85lebaront2]

Ok, since this will also benefit those with early EFI systems (TFI module mounted to distributor) I will document the evolution of this project.

Owner gave me a bad module to delve into today. I cleaned it off and opened it. Outer cover is plastic and snaps on so a little careful prying got it removed. This is what is inside (I may open a remote one for comparison). Pins are labeled based on Ford information and checking with my Fluke 75.


After unsoldering and clearing as much goop as possible then prying the metal heat sink plate off the plastic housing, again, pins are labeled.


Here is the finished modification, power, ground and PIP out are still used, SPOUT, Start and Coil - are no longer needed. Harness will be used with another piece to connect to a remote mount module on a heat sink.


Rear heat sink plate with any connecting wires removed will be glued back on, and the front cover snapped back in place. The dead module has been turned into a distributor pickup plug.

[Gary Lewis]

Cool, Bill!  That's going to help a lot of people.  When you get done we will probably want to put it on the page at Documentation/Electrical/Ignition.  It'll take some reorganization but I think we can do that.