MikeW
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2017
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Vehicle Year
- 1987
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
Hi gang!
Years ago you all helped me get this little 87 2.3 5sp 4x2 with the pcm issue running again which has now been problem free for over 10 years. TYVM!
But now I call on you once again with a troublesome little problem.
In the last few days I've experienced a new issue. Random acceleration. It's not excessive like 90 100 mph...but it's enough to make your BH pucker and the brakes don't work well when it happens either.
I suspect that the tps may need some attention, or perhaps the map sensor?
here's the breakdown for those of you who love our Rangers and can't resist a challenge =D
**NO KOEO/KOER CODES** Always the first thing I do. =D
What I know:
About 3 weeks ago, it started running a little rough, presented with power loss at take off, occasional stuttering at cruise speed with lights dimming, foul smell.. not eggs like a cat, more like burning grease (but only with headlight, heater on simultaneously) and a sizable drop in mpg (18.5 to about 8.25)
Since I only drive it to work and back (about 12 miles a day) and the grocery store once a week I figured I'd wait for a little warmer day to tear into it.
What I've done:
Replaced my fuel filter about 3k ago, plugs, wires cap & rotor less than 2k ago
I have checked the vacuum lines, gaskets and clamps and the like. I've checked electrical component connections and harnesses for obvious damage. Cleaned battery terminals, checked hot/negative cables for damage and solid connections. I've checked the engine grounds, fuses & fuel pump relay. Belt is new, alternator is putting out 13.8-14.0 (3G upgraded 8 years ago)
Sprayed out the TBI, cleaned & lubed throttle linkage on TBI, tapped the TPS, tapped the MAP, tapped the IAC and tapped the DPFE sensor (which for what it's worth used to tick loudly, a lot at acceleration ticktickticktick and is now really quiet although it still ticks)
coolant is good, oil is good, other fluids all good. Been using the same gasoline for 12 years no new changes.
Currently:
One day last week (Dec 27 2016) I was headed to work and it started right up and ran like a top, just like shes always done! in fact... a little too well. My truck has hit 75 before, down hill. with a tail wind. But now... she just zips right up there 70...75...80.... strange behavior, but that wasn't good enough and now since 2 days ago (Dec 30 2016) it's decided that we need to just speed up for no reason whatsoever...5 ... 10...15 mph... then everything returns to normal, ride lasts about 40 seconds or less. While this is happening the brakes are hard to press, feels like increased vacuum in the booster. and a side note, a couple times when I pressed in the clutch to shift, the engine would rev up just enough to make the shift difficult, as soon as I released the clutch everything feels normal again, It's generally about this time you feel the random acceleration, which is a very smooth transition, someone not familiar with the truck may not even notice until you look down and see you're doing 75 and the brakes won't slow you down.
I've seen a LOT in the last 10 years working with Ford but nothing like this. So.... what y'all think?
Thanks,
Mike
Years ago you all helped me get this little 87 2.3 5sp 4x2 with the pcm issue running again which has now been problem free for over 10 years. TYVM!
But now I call on you once again with a troublesome little problem.
In the last few days I've experienced a new issue. Random acceleration. It's not excessive like 90 100 mph...but it's enough to make your BH pucker and the brakes don't work well when it happens either.
I suspect that the tps may need some attention, or perhaps the map sensor?
here's the breakdown for those of you who love our Rangers and can't resist a challenge =D
**NO KOEO/KOER CODES** Always the first thing I do. =D
What I know:
About 3 weeks ago, it started running a little rough, presented with power loss at take off, occasional stuttering at cruise speed with lights dimming, foul smell.. not eggs like a cat, more like burning grease (but only with headlight, heater on simultaneously) and a sizable drop in mpg (18.5 to about 8.25)
Since I only drive it to work and back (about 12 miles a day) and the grocery store once a week I figured I'd wait for a little warmer day to tear into it.
What I've done:
Replaced my fuel filter about 3k ago, plugs, wires cap & rotor less than 2k ago
I have checked the vacuum lines, gaskets and clamps and the like. I've checked electrical component connections and harnesses for obvious damage. Cleaned battery terminals, checked hot/negative cables for damage and solid connections. I've checked the engine grounds, fuses & fuel pump relay. Belt is new, alternator is putting out 13.8-14.0 (3G upgraded 8 years ago)
Sprayed out the TBI, cleaned & lubed throttle linkage on TBI, tapped the TPS, tapped the MAP, tapped the IAC and tapped the DPFE sensor (which for what it's worth used to tick loudly, a lot at acceleration ticktickticktick and is now really quiet although it still ticks)
coolant is good, oil is good, other fluids all good. Been using the same gasoline for 12 years no new changes.
Currently:
One day last week (Dec 27 2016) I was headed to work and it started right up and ran like a top, just like shes always done! in fact... a little too well. My truck has hit 75 before, down hill. with a tail wind. But now... she just zips right up there 70...75...80.... strange behavior, but that wasn't good enough and now since 2 days ago (Dec 30 2016) it's decided that we need to just speed up for no reason whatsoever...5 ... 10...15 mph... then everything returns to normal, ride lasts about 40 seconds or less. While this is happening the brakes are hard to press, feels like increased vacuum in the booster. and a side note, a couple times when I pressed in the clutch to shift, the engine would rev up just enough to make the shift difficult, as soon as I released the clutch everything feels normal again, It's generally about this time you feel the random acceleration, which is a very smooth transition, someone not familiar with the truck may not even notice until you look down and see you're doing 75 and the brakes won't slow you down.
I've seen a LOT in the last 10 years working with Ford but nothing like this. So.... what y'all think?
Thanks,
Mike
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