New to Ranger - Is this Normal

[JackDW]

2003 Edge 4x4, 4.0, Auto with +160K

Background

Purchased this truck about a month ago for my Daughter to drive to school and work (she works at a stables providing Horse riding lessons). After first week, CEL came on (lean condition bank 1 and 2). PCV hose split so easy fix. Couple week later battery light on. ALT at zero. Replaced ALT all good until last week. Battery died, removed and cleaned and reconnected wiring harness of ALT all good again.

Changed oil, filter, gas filter. Truck has new K&N air filter. Dealer installed new brakes and tires. Truck should be good driver for daughter.

QUESTION: When sitting in Park, if I speed up the engine, it is very smooth until about 3200 RPM then it starts skipping and slowing down. I cannot get it to 3500 RPM when not driving. It works like a rev limiter. When driving the truck runs great. When pushed hard, the truck shifts at approx. 5,500 RPM and can easily run up to about 90 with no issues (did not try to push it futher). So does the truck have some type of rev limiter that works when not in gear??? I do not know the condition of the spark plugs, wires, etc but since it runs so well when being pushed, I don't think there is an issue but I am curious why it will not rev up when sitting still.

Thanks for any feedback. I am just curious if this is normal or not.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, you are hitting the PCM's electronic rev limiter. It is active in Park and Neutral. It is not active in gear.

I recommend caution with those K&N filters. I have seen more than a few mass air flow sensors get contaminated by oiled filters.

 

[Mazda]

I have had a K&N on my truck since it was new with 65 miles on it. 280,000 strong now. Never had a problem but I'm really carefully when I clean a re-oil it. I recommend using the spray oil and not the pump. With the spray you can lightly re coat the filter.

But maybe the MAF is a different design in the older trucks.

But you are absolutely correct if you are not carefull....

 

[adsm08]

I have had a K&N on my truck since it was new with 65 miles on it. 280,000 strong now. Never had a problem but I'm really carefully when I clean a re-oil it. I recommend using the spray oil and not the pump. With the spray you can lightly re coat the filter.

But maybe the MAF is a different design in the older trucks.

But you are absolutely correct if you are not carefull....

Yeah, most of the ones I have seen were over oiled filters.

Some vehicles, like VWs, just have the sensor too close to the filter.

 

[JackDW]

Yeah, you are hitting the PCM's electronic rev limiter. It is active in Park and Neutral. It is not active in gear.

I recommend caution with those K&N filters. I have seen more than a few mass air flow sensors get contaminated by oiled filters.

Thanks for confirming that there is a rev limiter. Since it always cut back at the same RPM, I was guessing that it had a rev limiter.

I am well aware of the K&N issues. This was on the Truck when I purchased it. May consider picking up a stock air box from a local junk yard and use a stock filter. If I keep the K&N, I will be careful with the oiling. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[robertc1024]

Welcome to TRS. Listen to adsm08. He's the shizz. I've got a K&M on my '2000 Maxima - love it. Some people hate on it but it's been all good to me.

 

[Ryannn]

Welcome to TRS. Listen to adsm08. He's the shizz.