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2005 Ford Ranger 3.0L Engine P0352 Code: No Spark on Cylinders 3 & 4 Despite New Coils, Wires and Spark Plugs

Model: 05 Ranger Fault Code: P0352 Posted: 2016-03-16 04:14

My 2005 Ford Ranger with a 3.0L engine is showing fault code P0352, indicating no spark or weak spark on cylinders 3 and 4. The truck has 250,000 miles on it and originally had persistent PO171 and PO174 codes, which led me to replace the original coil pack on cylinder #1 due to a visible crack — after that, it ran well for about two weeks before cylinders #3 and #5 began losing spark. I have since replaced all three coil packs (cylinders 1-2, 3-4, 5-6), installed new spark plugs and plug wires, and confirmed fuel pressure is at a healthy 60 psi. I've cleaned the MAF sensor and tested the signal wire from the PCM to the coil pack using a test light — it flashes during cranking, indicating the trigger signal is present. The issue persists: cylinders #3 and #4 show only weak or minimal spark when tested with new coils. The other cylinders (1, 2, 5, 6) produce strong sparks. I’ve also tried using a test plug directly on the third coil pack — cylinder #3 and #4 still only receive about half the spark intensity. I suspect either a wiring issue between the PCM and the coil packs or a problem with the PCM itself. The engine idles smoothly at startup but becomes rough after approximately 10 seconds, when injector pulses for cylinders #3 and #4 disappear — this is consistent with the PCM detecting a misfire and shutting down those injectors. I currently have a code reader that only shows freeze frame data (no live data), and only P0352 remains. I’m wondering if the PCM is actively disabling injector pulses due to detected misfires, or whether there’s an underlying issue with the coil pack signal path or internal driver circuitry.

Related fault codes
P0352
Comments (11)
Anonymous 2016-03-16 07:30

Double-check cylinder numbering on this engine — where is cylinder #1 located? Coil packs fire paired cylinders (e.g., 1-5, 2-6, 3-4). You're reporting no spark on cylinders 3 and 5, which are not a matched pair. This inconsistency raises suspicion about whether the cylinder numbers are correctly identified or if the issue is in the secondary wiring rather than the coil packs.

Anonymous 2016-03-16 08:45

Cylinders 3 and 4 share the same coil pack, and both are showing no spark. The trigger signal from the PCM is present (confirmed by test light), and I've already replaced two new coil packs — the issue remains with these two cylinders.

Anonymous 2016-03-16 11:43

With the connector plugged in, use a probe pin to check each wire at the coil pack. Perform a KOEO (Key On, Engine Off) test: all four wires should have 12V. Then, while cranking, connect a test light between battery positive and the straight pin on the signal wire (tan/orange). If it flashes — that confirms the signal is present. If no flash, the issue may be in the coil pack or wiring; if it flashes, the coil pack is likely faulty.

Anonymous 2016-03-17 13:48

I suspect the firing order might be misidentified, but this doesn't explain the weak spark. A reference image of the 2005 Ranger engine layout may help clarify cylinder positions: http://i.fixya.net/uploads/images/jturcotte_633.jpg

Anonymous 2016-03-18 18:55

With key on, engine off, I have 12V on all coil wires. The test light flashes during cranking — confirming signal presence. I've tested three different coil packs now; cylinders #3 and #4 still show only half the spark intensity compared to others. I also replaced plug wires again because the old ones were arcing at the manifold — could this have degraded performance in the new coils on cylinders 3-4?

Anonymous 2016-04-04 20:49

Update: Replaced a third coil pack and used a timing light to check spark. Cylinders #3 and #4 show visible spark, but only for about 10 seconds after startup — then the injector pulse disappears. The P0352 code remains. Is the PCM shutting off injectors for cylinders #3 and #4 due to misfire detection? Or is the PCM itself faulty?

Anonymous 2016-04-05 10:09

Yes, the PCM will shut down injector pulses when it detects a serious misfire or performance issue. Before diving into live data or waveform analysis — do you have a scanner that shows all stored codes and manufacturer-specific diagnostics? A basic code reader may miss critical details like misfire counts or injector pulse behavior.

Anonymous 2016-04-06 15:08

I have a code reader, but it only displays freeze frame data — no live readings. The only active code is P0352. The engine idles smoothly at startup, but after about 10 seconds, it becomes rough again as the injector pulses for cylinders #3 and #4 vanish. I tested a new coil pack directly on cylinder #3 and #4 today — spark intensity remains around half of what the other cylinders produce.

Anonymous 2016-04-07 13:03

A scanner is essential here — it can show additional codes, misfire counts, injector pulse duration, and even CKP (crankshaft position) waveform data. Spark intensity testing with a test plug has limitations. My best guess: either the wiring from the PCM to the coil pack is compromised or there's an internal driver fault in the PCM itself. Without live data, it’s difficult to confirm — but the PCM is likely shutting down injectors for cylinders #3 and #4 due to detected misfires.

Anonymous 2016-04-07 20:15

Thanks — I was leaning toward a PCM issue, but wanted to exhaust all other options first. I’ll take it to the dealer after my vacation and post an update once it’s repaired.

Anonymous 2020-06-19 15:58

I'm experiencing the exact same problem — down to the 'T' of troubleshooting. What was your final fix? Can you share details on what resolved it?