91 2.3l ranger spits and sputters

[xkotyx]

my ranger spits and sputters at lower rpms- like below 2000 or so. it only does this in 1st and 2nd gear. its always done it, but has recently gotten worse. the plugs, wires, and coil packs are all about a year old. the fuel filter is about a month old. its fine at 2500 and up rpms and 3rd through 5th gears.

someone said maybe mass air flow sensor, or possibly the ignition control module.

 

[PaleBlue90]

did you pull codes? got a CL lights

 

[xkotyx]

well we thought about that, but the check engine light isnt on, other than like once a month it blinks on for a few seconds. will it still give codes with no CE light?

 

[adsm08]

It may have a pending or memory code in there yet.

Try some MAF cleaner, can't hurt.

 

[xkotyx]

thanks, ill give it a try. like you said, it cant hurt.

any other suggestions?

 

[PaleBlue90]

look at your o2 sensors. ive had them go bad and make the rig run goofy

 

[xkotyx]

ill give them a look, but if they were on the fritz, wouldnt they throw a check engine light?

sorry for all the questions, im just not too great with troubleshooting

 

[adsm08]

The O2 sensors and MAF both throw codes when they fail, but they can go a bit wonky, enough to make the engine run a bit funny without setting off the light. Especially on older ones.


Don't worry about the questions. That's one of the reasons we are here. I'm a Ford trained tech, have a pretty good understanding of how the whole system works, and troubleshooting on a real car still puts me in a headlock more than I like to admit. Especially electrical and driveability.

From my own experience though, I still like the MAF the best as your culprit.

 

[xkotyx]

alright i will deffinately give those a try.
i really appreciate the help guys!

 

[PaleBlue90]

i agree. try the MAF and go from there.

 

[xkotyx]

i have a 91 explorer i originally bought for the front end, i swapped the maf sensor from it and it seems to be running better now. im going to leave it in there for a few days to make sure that was the problem, being that every now and then it would decide to be good.

thanks again, and ill let yall know if that fixes it for sure

 

[xkotyx]

just to let yall know, its running great with the MAF sensor out of my explorer. guess ill put the good one back in the explorer, and fork out $80 for a new one for the ranger. its worth it to have it running like a champ again!

 

[LearjetMinako]

I was going to say to check for vacuum leaks. My 96 2.3L spits and sputtered when I accidently pulled a vacuum hose off. But if the MAF sensor fixed the problem, then thats good too. Thou it never hurts to just check your vacuum hoses any ways.

 

[xkotyx]

I was going to say to check for vacuum leaks. My 96 2.3L spits and sputtered when I accidently pulled a vacuum hose off. But if the MAF sensor fixed the problem, then thats good too. Thou it never hurts to just check your vacuum hoses any ways.

good idea. ill check that too when i get a chance

 

[feellnfroggy]

TIming? Thats why my 92 spit and spuddered, also with a bad coil.