Need help! ('02 2.3)

[tex]

Started getting sputtering at take off and bucking when accelerating through higher gears after my last oil change (started using high mileage Castrol)

Truck has 106,000 miles. manual tranny.

Changed fuel filter, plugs and wires to no avail. Possible coils?


Any advice appreciated.

[addiman09]

i had the same problem in my 03, changed the plugs and oil at 95000, and it was taking off jerky till about 3000 rpms, and at about 4000 it did it again, i looked at what i had done to the engine, and it turned out that my back spark plugs were seated weird, so check that, i did and the problem quit

[tex]

Thanks for the info. Had this problem before I changed out my plugs. Didn't make a bit of difference after I changed them and the wires.

I'm wondering about the coil pack but, it's a $60 risk to find out.

[addiman09]

make sure you set the plugs in level, no cross threading, that was what was wrong with mine, even with new plugs also rangers dont have coil packs in a 4 cyl like mine, if you have a V6 you might, otherwise you have a distributor

[tex]

Would that be the device the wires plug into or something else? I have the 2.3 but, not sure if it's DOHC or not.


Another thing, sometimes my truck seems to run just fine. I turn it off, start it again and it misses. I may have to take it to someone with an engine analyzer.

[02spledge]

make sure you set the plugs in level, no cross threading, that was what was wrong with mine, even with new plugs also rangers dont have coil packs in a 4 cyl like mine, if you have a V6 you might, otherwise you have a distributor
you are wrong about that......my 02 has a coil pack...just replaced it....its a 2.3 dohc.i was having his same problems and changed the coil pack and fuel filter and it runs smooth and has its power back....

[02spledge]

tex to see if yours is a dohc see if it says 2.3 16 valve anywhere.or if the spark plugs go down in top of the valve cover.....the coil pack will be on the pass side of valve cover towards the rear with the pugs wires going from it to the plugs...its a little black box.hope this helps....good luck

[tex]

Thanks, Keyman

Miine says 2.3 16 valve and the plugs go inside the valve covers.


Unless my computer's fried and not throwing codes, I don't see what else could be wrong.

[02spledge]

not a problem tex,you have a dohc 2.3....replace your coil pack and you'll be running good again.

[tex]

Keyman; addiman09

The ignition coil was the problem. Seems to work fine now.