well, the intake runner junk is the problem
I finally said f*** it, and took it to the dealer....they said their little laptop had a stored code of p1512, and they wanted to replace the intake to the tune of a grand, but once I now have a code, I will not be needing their services, lol....
Sooooo...it's either the runner control solenoid, or the intake. I am figuring I will replace the solenoid first, because it's the cheaper of the 2 choices (altho not really cheap- 150 bucks- ouch) and if it doesn't fix it, replace the manifold. Kills me, the same Dorman parts on Rockauto are 200 bucks total, verses local which are 400...especially for that cheap plastic manifold- junk to me
Even if it fixes the problem with just the solenoid, I'll probably replace the intake, as it just looks like it's made to break, but I'm not paying anymore than I have to, for something so cheaply made... I will keep the old one, and remove the flaps for the next time this gives me trouble....I would just do this now, but I just need the truck running as it is my work truck. I've been researching this for a month or so, and there are a lot of Rangers doing this same thing, and people can't figure it out. I will post a follow up for anyone else being driven crazy by this