94 ranger engine cranks then stalls

[peliii]

Looking for a bit of help. 1994 3.0L automatic 2wd, 125k miles. 22 mpg avg, no power issues, runs smooth, no hesitation (until today) no tranny slippage.

No prior indication of something going wrong until this happened today. Driving at 35 mph and I notice a burning smell, like brakes or possibly burning plastic (hard to describe the exact smell as I wasn't paying close attention). About 2 minutes after I notice the smell, the car starts to stutter when applying pressure to the gas pedal. It rolls to a stop, because I am getting nothing when pushing the gas pedal, and it stutters for a few minutes and dies. I let it sit for several hours, tried to restart it, it cranks, starts, and immediately dies.

Thoughts on what to look at first?

Thanks, Paul

 

[Quiksurf]

try starting with your right foot partially on the gas pedal, if its the iac it should start. another thing to check is cat converter back pressure. if you don't have the gauge, removing both ft o2s can relieve the pressure from a clogged cat, just two easy things to check.

 

[Bryan22]

Electircal smells like brake, look for a wire that's melted or has the insulations peeling off of it. if this truck all of the sudden dies after running great , it's not going to be something like a cat or IAC... look for something burnt up under the hood.

 

[Earl43P]

I hate to think your air conditioner compressor seized.......

Try to start it with the serpentine belt removed (don't run it very long, 20-30 seconds should tell the tale).

 

[evanesce69]

open the kick panel where the computer resides and give it a whiff.....

smell the alternator.... what does the battery voltage show?

 

[peliii]

Follow up....

I actually pulled the IAC out and the spring/rod were seized up inside and apparently this was the problem. I cleaned it out with CRC MAF cleaner and that solved the problem. Started right up, runs great. Also cleaned the MAF and replace the PCV since I was in there.

I looked all over for a burnt wire or hose that may have touched something and caused the burning smell but could find nothing. Breaks are relatively new 8k miles, and they looked good. Fuses, computer all looked great. I have no idea where that smell came from (maybe my imagination) but everything seems good now.

Thanks for the great tips!

 

[aeraceranthony]

I had the exact same probelm with the exact same truck. Check ur icm(ignition control module), its between the driver headlight and battery. Its made out of plastic and could have melted. U can get it checked at autozone for free. If it needs replacing, its like $60.