Cold start problem on my '89

[zamos]

I'm new to this forum and would like some help/input on a problem on my '89 Ranger 2.3. With the weather getting cooler the truck is hard to start and seems to be missing under throttle until the truck warms up, then it runs great! I've cleaned the idle control valve and the EGR valve but this does'nt seem to have helped - Could it be the coolant temp sensor and where is it located - Any help would be appreciated !

 

[lil red]

i just replaced the plugs on my dads f250, and it starts allot better(it did what urs sounds like its doin) also a cap and rotor prob wouldnt hurt

ps. the 250 also had the origonal plugs as it his 180,000 miles 2 days ago
ya shes a part of the familY(we bought it with 80k)

 

[86XLT]

check body grounds first, i think one on firewall, one by radiator and on bell housing, gets rusty and computer gets wrong reading will give you fits had this problem on several trucks

 

[Dave R]

I'd suggest you start with checking the computer for trouble codes.

 

[frdranger86]

I have an 86 2.3 that does the same thing when its cold, itll start up and idle fine but when you go to give it gas it cuts out and sputters

 

[Jonboy]

I've got a 92 that does the same exact thing since I bought it. Starts and idles really irratic or, sometimes it just dies. After taking off it acts as if it is under a load then all of a sudden it clears up and goes. the only codes I could get were for the coil packs. It didnt say which one so I had them both Ohm tested. Found one to be cracked and replaced it and still had no luck in resolving this issue. Im begining to wonder if it is the ignition control module. I posted this issue here before on the old forums and everthing that I tried didnt work. Still fooling with it when I can.

 

[zamos]

Thanks for the input I don't know if the 2.3 has the coolant temp sensor but it does have a air charge temp sensor - i changed it out this weekend and still did not help actually it seems to be worse as it took the truck longer to start running right - i'm going to try switching back the old sensor and see what happens - it was pretty dirty when i pulled it out so i cleaned it up and put it aside -just in case-very annoying

 

[zamos]

I also forgot to mention that the check engine light is not coming on to indicate that there is a fault code in the ECM - I also found the location of the coolant temperture sensor - below the vacuum tree on the intake manifold on the underside - I will change this out this afternoon - looks real sweet to get at - this should be fun - i'll LYK tomorrow how it turns out

 

[snake]

Not sure about this stuff on a ranger, but it all works similar... does it idle up when it is cold (when you finally get it started)?

Usually the temp sensor tells the engine/computer that it will need a richer gas mixture and then idles it up as well. Could be the temp sensor or a cold start sensor (if so equipped). Also, a vacuum leak will do the exact same thing, it will pull too much air through the leak and lean out the mixture- which creates a hard starting condition.

I'd say if it idles up once started, look for the vacuum leak. If it doesn't, start checking out those sensors, because most likely the engine/computer doesn't recognize it is cold outside.

 

[zamos]

Well I switched out the coolant temp sensor yesterday afternoon and this morning it started fine but still stumbling under acceleration until its warmed up - I'm not sure what else to try - it runs great after its warmed up - i guess i'll see if there are any fault codes in the computer.