What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Bill]

I cursed at it because it stalled twice due to the high idle, then dropping to 500 rpm and long term fuel trims that behave like there's a vacuum leak.

And while I'm complaining about this problem again, I'm going to complain about many of the automotive forums. I posted this issue on several forums thinking I would get some reasonable feedback. What did I get? People insisting that this is normal. 1200 rpm is normal when you are coming to a stop, not 3000 rpm. People telling me to clean my injectors, replace seals and gaskets AFTER I mentioned that I replaced these items. If someone wants to be helpful they can start with reading and comprehending the description I posted. Then there were the people who suggested various snake oils and "mechanics in a bottle." Someone suggested filling the intake with Seafoam to clean it. Then there were the people who like gas treatment to absorb water out of the gas tank and clean the injectors or the odd mention of how they used Marvel Mystery Oil and it fixed their idle issues (no, it didn't). There's also quite a few posts on forums with this problem, but they dead end with no resolution posted. People on the internet can be frustrating.

Maybe I didn't get much in the way of good replies because I posted too much technical information.

Anyway, Marvel Mystery Oil is good for breaking down carbon if you let it soak overnight in warm weather. So, it does work for something.

I think I'll go stare at my truck tomorrow and decide which part to randomly swap out and hope it fixes the problem.

 

[Rowdy Fitzgerald]

I cursed at it because it stalled twice due to the high idle, then dropping to 500 rpm and long term fuel trims that behave like there's a vacuum leak.

And while I'm complaining about this problem again, I'm going to complain about many of the automotive forums. I posted this issue on several forums thinking I would get some reasonable feedback. What did I get? People insisting that this is normal. 1200 rpm is normal when you are coming to a stop, not 3000 rpm. People telling me to clean my injectors, replace seals and gaskets AFTER I mentioned that I replaced these items. If someone wants to be helpful they can start with reading and comprehending the description I posted. Then there were the people who suggested various snake oils and "mechanics in a bottle." Someone suggested filling the intake with Seafoam to clean it. Then there were the people who like gas treatment to absorb water out of the gas tank and clean the injectors or the odd mention of how they used Marvel Mystery Oil and it fixed their idle issues (no, it didn't). There's also quite a few posts on forums with this problem, but they dead end with no resolution posted. People on the internet can be frustrating.

Maybe I didn't get much in the way of good replies because I posted too much technical information.

Anyway, Marvel Mystery Oil is good for breaking down carbon if you let it soak overnight in warm weather. So, it does work for something.

I think I'll go stare at my truck tomorrow and decide which part to randomly swap out and hope it fixes the problem.

I’m experiencing something similar, is your IAC new or used? I’m suspicious about mine being sticky. But then again, I was experiencing some backfire which turned out it be an upper intake manifold leak. The bolts were all loose due yo the PO not tightening them and I didn’t double check them. So the gasket may be damaged, I’m not sure yet.

 

[Bill]

I’m experiencing something similar, is your IAC new or used? I’m suspicious about mine being sticky. But then again, I was experiencing some backfire which turned out it be an upper intake manifold leak. The bolts were all loose due yo the PO not tightening them and I didn’t double check them. So the gasket may be damaged, I’m not sure yet.

The IAC is the original. Mine is a 2007. The IAC is behaving like it is being told what to do, like keep the idle high between shifts. That should be around 1200 rpm, not rpm the engine was at when you stepped on the clutch. Fuel trims are running 14-19%, but drops when opening the throttle. This is a symptom of a vacuum leak. I found a small leak at the intake manifold and replaced the gaskets. I still have the same problem. Smoke tests aren't showing any leaks. I capped all the vacuum line ports to see if it would make a difference. PCV has been replaced. I even checked to make sure unmetered air wasn't getting into the crankcase. Manifold vacuum is a steady 22-24" This is truly perplexing. The only thing I can think of is one of the sensors has gone out of calibration in the idle/high vacuum end of it's range. I suppose it's always possible the IAC is just worn out, but that wouldn't explain the fuel trim unless there is a hole in it allowing air in.

 

[Roert42]

The IAC is the original. Mine is a 2007. The IAC is behaving like it is being told what to do, like keep the idle high between shifts. That should be around 1200 rpm, not rpm the engine was at when you stepped on the clutch. Fuel trims are running 14-19%, but drops when opening the throttle. This is a symptom of a vacuum leak. I found a small leak at the intake manifold and replaced the gaskets. I still have the same problem. Smoke tests aren't showing any leaks. I capped all the vacuum line ports to see if it would make a difference. PCV has been replaced. I even checked to make sure unmetered air wasn't getting into the crankcase. Manifold vacuum is a steady 22-24" This is truly perplexing. The only thing I can think of is one of the sensors has gone out of calibration in the idle/high vacuum end of it's range. I suppose it's always possible the IAC is just worn out, but that wouldn't explain the fuel trim unless there is a hole in it allowing air in.

Might be worth it to rig up a vac gauge so you can read it while driving. That way you’ll know for sure if it’s actually a vacuum issue or an electrical issue.

I have an issue on my ‘03 where it completely looses power and falls on its face if you open the throttle more then a 1/4 open. only under load.

 

[Lefty]

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hoping to get it back into Iowa tonight at least.

A/C is freaking awesome driving in the rain, I could see it becoming quite popular in vehicles soon.

 

[Curious Hound]

Stuck it back on the trailer and started heading home. I'm exhausted.

 

[Bill]

Might be worth it to rig up a vac gauge so you can read it while driving. That way you’ll know for sure if it’s actually a vacuum issue or an electrical issue.

I have an issue on my ‘03 where it completely looses power and falls on its face if you open the throttle more then a 1/4 open. only under load.

The issue is mostly at idle. It runs great at higher rpms. Vacuum is great at idle, but fuel is being added (positive LTFT) indicating a lean condition.

 

[4.0blue98]

Pan drop and filter change on transmission. Been about 60k. Pretty dirty but not too bad. Did the TCase while I was wearing trans fluid anyway. That was pretty dirty too. Same interval as the transmission.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Country roads, take me home...

 

[Curious Hound]

Country roads, take me home...

View attachment 81968

Wow! They actually welcomed you home???

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Wow! They actually welcomed you home???

Almost everybody likes me!

Indiana and Iowa welcomed me, Illinois thanked me for leaving...

 

[racsan]

Took off my bed rails & put the fiberglass cap back on. Not sure I ever want to move that again, I swear it gets heavier every time. If we do get a maverick in the next year or so I will go with a tonneau cover on it. I’ll just keep the cap on the ranger then and leave it be. Debating on not changing tires for winter this year, maybe just spray the alloy rims diwn with wd-40. They are the newest tire I have for it, too bad I cant find wheel adapters to put the hhr snow tires on the ranger, sure I could buy new 16” rims & transfer tires but Id rather not.

 

[rubydist]

@Bill - I would change out the iac. I have had multiple vehicles where they just start sticking and sometimes its hard to tell. I even had one new one sticky out of the box, so even a new one is no guarantee that it will function correctly.

 

[superj]

now that i have that utility rack on the ranger, i think i am not going to use the camper topper again. its just sitting and taking up space in the yard. and collecting rocks because the mower broke the dang side window on it. the cats like it as a cat house during rain though

i really like that utility rack from harbor freight though. tall enough that stuff doesn;t ding the top of hte cab and i can put my bike in the bed still. its really a decent rack and other than getting a 3/4 rack, this is good enough for carrying wood and pipe