Computer brain 1997 Ford ranger problems

[DennisRay]

will a computer out of a 97 ranger with automatic transmission work in a 97 ranger XLT with a 4 cylinder 2.3 manual transmission

 

[adsm08]

No. Well, maybe, but not really. I need more information.

You didn't tell us which engine is in the proposed automatic transmission computer donor, so I can't say for sure if you will even get the engine running.

What I can tell you is that the idle and timing are slightly different between automatic and manual trans units. Also, there will be a bunch of automatic transmission related electronics that just don't exist on the MT truck, and so the computer is going to be super pissed about not being able to find them, like fat kid who lost his Oreos kinda of pissed. That's gonna mean codes, and check engine lights, and limp modes, and rev limiters.

So, not really, no. If the computer is from another 2.3L it would run, and it could probably move around by itself, but I would not try driving it on the road.

 

[sgtsandman]

The answer adsm08 gave is a more detailed answer but the basic straight answer for the average person is no. Anything can be done with enough money and time but to take an unmodified harness for the wrong transmission and just slap it into your truck, no.