DIY Mechanic Needing Help

[DNGRNGR89]

I'm having issues with my 1989 2.9L 4x4 Ranger.

It started four days ago on my commute to work. I was traveling on the highway and my truck began to forcefully "cut out". It seemed to be timed in spurts of two, and each time it happened the check engine light flashed and it felt as if my truck got punched and wanted to kick it's self out of gear. My Ranger did this continuously on the highway both times that I drove it that day. The next two days, same driving paths, it never happened. Today it did it again on my way home from work on the highway.

I always do my own mechanical work, but my knowledge is limited. I wish that I could describe the problem it is having better. I depend on this truck very much and I need to keep it running. I believe it has something to do with either the ignition, transmission, or computer.

But I really have no idea where to begin.

 

[nb11]

I'd say go for a ride and try to replicate the conditions under which it acted up before. Or if it acts up again pay close attention to things such as how much throttle, temp of engine, whether you were going up a hill, etc. Have you had problems with it before? What work have you recently done to it, or can you think of any maintenance that you know it needs? I'm by far no expert; I'm in the same boat as you. And I'm not sure, but your truck would have OBD I, right? So try to get a code reader on it next time it throws a CEL.

 

[adsm08]

Fire it up and let it idle. Without touching the body grab each plug wire individually. If you get zapped on any of them, you need new plug wires.

My truck was doing something similar and it drove my nuts until I fell ass-backwards into the problem. I was adjusting a power steering line trying to stop a leak, brushed the coil wire and got zapped good. Replaced my wires and haven't had it happen since.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Also if it only did it once did you just fill it with gas. It sounds like it could also be a water issue. Did you just wash the truck and is your fuel cap gasket in good condition. Inspect your wiring good especially around the exhaust system for burnt cracked or bare wires. Intermittent faults can drive you batty until you figure it out.

 

[AgPete139]

I had this exact problem with my 5.0L. It freaked the Hell out of me. Seriously, it bucked and kicked like a bronco, and not the RBV kind. CHECK YOUR DISTRIBUTOR / PICKUP. These things DO wear out, and this will cause the problem. The best solution is to try a new distributor, or check for play in your old one. (Make sure to mark the location of the coil & striker.)




It does sound like an electrical issue. If you have a multimeter, you can check if the plug wires are good ~7-10,000 Ohms. Also, check your spark plug gapping.

 

[Junkyardexpress]

I got something else to try on my truck (similar setup) the flapper that controls air coming through the grill or warm air from the exhaust was messing up.I was getting a violent bucking around 2k rpm or higher 1500 below smooth as can be.

 

[xr75er]

o2 sensor?