How To Test The Fuel Injectors (Ford 3.0L, 3.8L)

  • By: Abraham Torres-Arredondo
  • Created: 08 March 2011
  • Updated: 21 December 2022
  • Articl Id: 84
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Continued from the previous page.

  1. Next, I visually inspect the spark plugs and spark plug wires.
    • What I'm checking for is for cracks and/or carbon tracks and/or oil filling up the spark plug well.
    • I also remove and visually inspect the spark plug cable's metal terminals and the ignition coil pack tower (that the spark plug wire is connected to) for visible rust, corrosion, wear and tear, etc.
  2. If everything above checks out OK, I then do an engine compression test on the ‘dead’ cylinder and at least 2 others (to be able to compare compression values).
    • low cylinder compression is so often overlooked as a cause of a engine miss (misfire, ‘dead’ cylinder, etc).
    • What I'm looking for is to see if any one cylinder is too worn out. If it's too worn out, it will always have 15% lower compression that the highest compression reading of the four.
  3. Check fuel injector resistance.
    • So, if you've reached this point, it's because you now know that the ignition system is not the cause of the engine miss (misfire, ‘dead’ cylinder, etc.), you've also eliminated the cylinder's compression and so you now can start testing the fuel injector.

I want to emphasize again, that the key to finding out exactly what's causing the engine miss (misfire, ‘dead’ cylinder, etc.) is to find out which of the six cylinders is causing the problem and then eliminating or confirming that the ignition is at fault.

The last piece of the diagnostic strategy, is to test the ‘dead’ cylinder's compression to see if too low.

More Ford 3.0L And 3.8L Test Articles

Here are links to other articles that may be of help in troubleshooting your Ford 3.0L and 3.8L equipped vehicle that I've written. To see the articles in this Web Site, go here: Ford 3.0L, 3.8L Index Of Articles.

At easyautodiagnostics.com, you'll find the following articles:

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  2. Applies To:

Ford Vehicles:

  • Aerostar 3.0L
    • 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Mustang 3.8L
    • 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004
  • Probe 3.0L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992
  • Ranger 3.0L
    • 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

Ford Vehicles:

  • Taurus 3.0L, 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Tempo 3.0L
    • 1992, 1993, 1994
  • Thunderbird 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

Lincoln Vehicles:

  • Windstar 3.0L, 3.8L
    • 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Lincoln Vehicles:

  • Continental 3.8L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

Mercury Vehicles:

  • Cougar 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Sable 3.0L, 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Topaz 3.0L
    • 1992, 1993, 1994

Mazda Vehicles:

  • B3000 3.0L
    • 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997