Code P0320 will not start after replacing clutch

LILLY1717

MEMBER
1998 FORD RANGER
159,000 MILES

I am trying to find answers for my husband while he tries to fix his truck. He replaced the clutch, and the truck was driving fine after that. He took the truck to work the next day and when trying to get back home it wouldn't start. Dashboard would light up but nothing else would happen. Seemed like it was the ignition. Replaced ignition switch, nothing. Got code P0320 Ignition/Distributor Engine. Replaced cam position sensor, nothing. Replaced crank position sensor, nothing. The battery is good, and the alternator is good. The clutch switch was bypassed by the previous owner. What are we missing? Please and thank you.

7 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Couple questions. First, do you know that this code is new? If it is, then we need to chase it down and I am attaching the testing for your review.

Clearly, we need to run over all the wiring connectors that he took off to do the clutch because a loose connection would make the most sense.

We can also go to the starter and check voltage and then go backwards through the system and find where we are losing voltage. Starter connections need to be checked as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please see the info below for all the testing that we need to do. Let me know what questions he has, and we can go from there.

Thanks

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Tuesday, March 1st, 2022 AT 4:52 PM

LILLY1717

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4 POSTS

Thank you, Kenny, and I apologize for the delay in answering. Because my husband works long hours he has to wait until his next days off to work on the truck again and look into your instructions.
He did say that maybe the code wasn't new because after replacing switch and sensors he's not getting it, but the truck isn't running either. I didn't mention before (don't know if it makes a difference) that the truck runs if popping the clutch.
Thanks a lot, and I will post his questions once he is off work and can look into your instructions.

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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 9:27 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

That is great info. Just to be clear when trying to start the engine it doesn't crank but it runs by popping the clutch?

If this is the case, then we have an issue with the clutch pedal position switch most likely.

So, let's go to the top of the clutch pedal and remove the connector and use a paper clip to jump the switch and then try and start the engine.

If it starts, then the switch is the issue. If it doesn't then we need to dig further into the starter circuit, but the issue is in the starting circuitry.

The fact that it starts and runs by popping the clutch just shows that the starter circuit is not working, and we just need to narrow down where the issue is.

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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 6:47 PM

LILLY1717

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4 POSTS

That is correct, it runs by popping the clutch. Now, after replacing the clutch it did start and it ran twice. It was the next day when it stopped. Does this make any difference?
Thank you so much for your help.

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Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022 AT 8:32 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

That does make sense. So, this could just be one of those coincidences that happen in auto repair that a part fails on a system that was just repaired but is not related to the repair.

It is hard to think that it is not related but I doubt he did anything with the clutch switch, so we just need to go over connectors and what he did touch. Which would be related to the starter so that it is possible that we have a loose connection at the starter.