- Joined
- Sep 14, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 1
- City
- Lethbridge
- State - Country
- AB - CAN
- Vehicle Year
- 1995
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 4.0L
- Transmission
- Manual
- Total Lift
- 6"
At the end of my rope with this truck, so figured I'd try one last shot here.
I have a 95 ranger that was swapped (by a previous owner) with a drivetrain from a 93. It's (now) a 4.0L 4x4 with manual transmission and transfer case controls, manual locking hubs.
I have been having a surging/stuttering issue, terrible fuel mileage, and occasional stalling at less than 1/4 tank of fuel since I bought it a couple years ago and can't seem to chase down the issue. Main problem on that side being that the codes are unreadable. So, like a reasonable person, I decide to try to get the codes to read. I checked voltages, resistances, connections, everything to the PCM. I checked for 5V sensor voltages, harness shorts, etc. Replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, IAC, TPS, crank position sensor. Nothing.
Eventually I took the PCM apart and found leaking capacitors. Great! Got them, swapped, I powered the truck on and I could read codes! Got 522 and 543 before taking the truck for a test drive. Went for the test drive, had the exact same symptoms. Tested the codes, unreadable again (specifically it'll do a couple beeps here and there but nothing comprehensible). Figured the board must have been rotted down into the traces and the drive must have screwed it up. Bought a new PCM. Similar issue, but drove slightly better. Still couldn't read codes. Figured I must have got a bad remanufactured unit after testing everything again and finding zero issues. Warrantied it, got another one. Plugged it in, still can't read codes. Haven't driven it yet but at this point I know what'll happen.
I'm going crazy, what am I missing here? I know my reading method works because it did work once. If anyone has ideas please let me know, thank you!
Note: All engine related components are from a 93, including the PCM. I verified the new PCM is the correct replacement.
I have a 95 ranger that was swapped (by a previous owner) with a drivetrain from a 93. It's (now) a 4.0L 4x4 with manual transmission and transfer case controls, manual locking hubs.
I have been having a surging/stuttering issue, terrible fuel mileage, and occasional stalling at less than 1/4 tank of fuel since I bought it a couple years ago and can't seem to chase down the issue. Main problem on that side being that the codes are unreadable. So, like a reasonable person, I decide to try to get the codes to read. I checked voltages, resistances, connections, everything to the PCM. I checked for 5V sensor voltages, harness shorts, etc. Replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, IAC, TPS, crank position sensor. Nothing.
Eventually I took the PCM apart and found leaking capacitors. Great! Got them, swapped, I powered the truck on and I could read codes! Got 522 and 543 before taking the truck for a test drive. Went for the test drive, had the exact same symptoms. Tested the codes, unreadable again (specifically it'll do a couple beeps here and there but nothing comprehensible). Figured the board must have been rotted down into the traces and the drive must have screwed it up. Bought a new PCM. Similar issue, but drove slightly better. Still couldn't read codes. Figured I must have got a bad remanufactured unit after testing everything again and finding zero issues. Warrantied it, got another one. Plugged it in, still can't read codes. Haven't driven it yet but at this point I know what'll happen.
I'm going crazy, what am I missing here? I know my reading method works because it did work once. If anyone has ideas please let me know, thank you!
Note: All engine related components are from a 93, including the PCM. I verified the new PCM is the correct replacement.
