1988 B2 Engine Issue

[Smyrnagc]

Good Evening TRS Forum:

I have a 1988 B2 that I have been restoring for approximately a year. The issue I have been trying to get corrected is an engine miss or sputter when going through the gears. It will get up to speed but when running through each gear there is a minor sputter/miss. Once it is up and running in 5th gear it runs smooth. There is no power loss at all.

Originally it struggled to get up to speed and would die when I came to a stop and I would have to restart it. With the below new parts that has stopped but it still sputters/misses a little when going through the gears.

In the past year I have replaced the following:
- Plugs and wires
- Distributor cap
- Both fuel pumps
- All new fuel injectors
- New fuel filter

Any thoughts on what could be causing this?

Thanks

 

[BlackBII]

Have you tested the throttle positioning sensor?

 

[Smyrnagc]

I have not...Wasn't aware of this. How would I test it and where is it located?

 

[BlackBII]

Have you also checked for vacuum leaks?

This article outlines testing the tps

http://therangerstation.com/Magazine/winter2009/throttle_position_sensor.shtml

It is located here on the 2.9

 

[Smyrnagc]

OK...Since the TPS was such a cheap part, $23 locally, I just replaced it and still have the minor hesitation. The engine runs good/OK but when going through the gears there is a noticeable stutter in each gear until I reach 4th/5th gear speed then it runs good unless I push it.

What next?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You dont have a check engine on do ya?

 

[Smyrnagc]

I do not

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Try a compression check....

 

[Spott]

You dont have a check engine on do ya?

Check for EEC codes regardless. You should always start with codes before replacing anything.