Engine stutters when putting it in gear

[Pistons23]

so when im in park and shift it into either reverse or drive(not sure if it does it any other gears) the engine stutters. the rpms drop low then it picks back up after a second of hesitation. anyone know what this can be? its been doing it for a while and its getting annoying. any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

 

[Pistons23]

if it helps, the truck is a 2000 ranger with a 2.5/auto

 

[Earl43P]

Anytime you have an idle problem, suspect the IAC.
You can clean it.
You can replace it.
You can disconnect its electrical connector and see if it changes the idle problem. No change = bad IAC.

Yours also has the Pwr Steering pressure switch. You can test the IAC by disconnecting that switch, run the engine at idle, then jumper the disconnected PS press. switch connector's 2 pins, listen for an idle change, remove jumper, listen for idle change. Just another easy way to test if IAC is working. You'd be jumpering the GY/RD and YE/LG wires of the connector (so you know you have the correct connector); you can use a paper clip. No idle change = bad IAC.

 

[Pistons23]

it idles fine, its just when i put it in gear. i was thinking vacum leak.

 

[Earl43P]

Simple test (again).

Parked, idling: Turn the steering wheel real fast.
If fit doesn't idle faster (or it acts like it does when you put it in gear) = bad IAC.

 

[Pistons23]

alright ill check the iac in a little bit. i think it may only do it when the engine is cold. this morning i let it idle while parked as i was bringing in the trash cans. when i backed out of my driveway it didnt do it. but when i left work to go to lunch it did it.

 

[Pistons23]

i pulled the connector to the iac and the idle dropped. so im guessing that it works. i looked at the vaccum hose diagram by my radiator and traced all the lines. theyre all connected. this is what i know about the problem. when the engine is cold its worse. it bogs down like its running out of gas. it only happens when im shifting out of park. when the engine is at operating temperature its barely noticeable. i have no idea what it could be.

 

[86 ranger]

my 86 with a 2.3 was doing that. the egr valve was stuck closed.

 

[Pistons23]

i pulled the egr off this morning and it appeared to be in good condition. no carbon buildup. i also taped a straw to the vaccum port on top of the egr and sucked in. the engine stuttered and then idled fine. so im assuming that its functioning properly. the only thing i can think of is to clean the maf sensor and the throttle body.

 

[Pistons23]

could these symtoms be cause by adding too much oil?

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Holy crap, my 2000 2.5 Auto has been doing the exact same thing, only it also stutters sometimes when coming to a stop also, and trying to take off, like it's running out of gas... Never have figured it out... It's also hard to start in the morning when it's cold... Like once a month I'll have to give it gas to keep it alive...

 

[Pistons23]

could these symtoms be cause by adding too much oil?

scratch that. i was checking hte oil while engine was running. i wasnt getting a accurate reading. so i checked again while hte engines off and its right in between the a and the x on max. slightly overfilled but not a big deal.

 

[RDay]

I had something similar happen with a S10 once it turned out to be a vac leak in the power brake booster. Once I replaced the booster it went away. Just as a check you might plug the vac line going to the booster.

 

[Pistons23]

UPDATE:

Today I wen to Harbor Freight and picked up a set of security bits. I beleive I paid 5.99 or 6.99. Then I went to Kragen and picked up a can of CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor cleaner. Then I came home and in 5 minutes had the MAF sensor cleaned and reinstalled. While I was at it I replaced the fuel filter. I completely overlooked that when I did the initial tune up after I bought it used. When I did the initial tune up the plugs, wires, air filter, oil filter was all the cheapy autozone stuff. nothing wrong with that. atleast it was getting some regular maintenance. now when i changed the fuel filter, it was a motorcraft part. im starting to wonder if thats the original one it came with. why would they buy the cheap autozone replacement parts and then buy a motorcraft fuel filter? i have no idea.

Anyway, now with a clean MAF sensor and a fresh fuel filter, it runs noticeably better. Throttle response has improved. Idle has improved. The bottom end picks up a whole lot better. I havent noticed any of the conditions I was experiencing in the above posts. Then again it hasnt been cold enough to really judge. When it drops back in the 30's ill see how it drives. I just want to thank everyone for their responses.

 

[Pistons23]

damn, it got pretty bad today. i dont notice it when the car warms up for 5-6mins. but today i was in a hurry. so i started it up and backed out of the driveway. it didnt really bog down when in reverse, but the engine died when i put it in drive. i have no clue what it could be. any new sugestions?