2.3L ('83-'97) full throttle, no peddal

[Dav]

I just swapped a M5OD into my 95 2.3 to replace a dead automatic trans. When I step on the clutch, the motor races like I still have my foot on the gas. I mean, it runs wide open for several seconds, then may idle down some on it's own. like the automatic choke was warming up. or I may be able to slow the rpm's by riding the clutch to slow it. I have found that the gas linkage is not the problem.
Anyone have suggestions as to what might be the next step?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I just swapped a M5OD into my 95 2.3 to replace a dead automatic trans. When I step on the clutch, the motor races like I still have my foot on the gas. I mean, it runs wide open for several seconds, then may idle down some on it's own. like the automatic choke was warming up. or I may be able to slow the rpm's by riding the clutch to slow it. I have found that the gas linkage is not the problem.
Anyone have suggestions as to what might be the next step?

Wonder if you need to switch ECMs? Your auto ECM might be looking for an input thats not there anymore.

 

[Dav]

was led to believe the ecm would work. the donner truck is a 94 with the OBD system and the 95 has the OBD2 so i am pretty ure i can't use that one. looking at o'reilly's site, their ecm's don't ask about manual/auto but do mention 'flash' programing. what is that and where do i find someone to do it?

 

[tomw]

I don't knwo who 'lead you to believe', but my take is they may be mistaken. The auto ECM(computer) is looking for input from the transmission as to 'output' speeds, and perhaps from the 'road speed sensor'. It is also expecting the engine to have the load of twirling all the transmission parts and the torque converter when in neutral, or the load of the torque converter trying to turn them in gear, instead of the pretty much free wheeling of the clutch and flywheel. Given that, it expects to have to give some IAC input to keep the idle smooth. You no longer have that load, so the rpms stay up... You may be able to source a correct vintage manual transmission ECM, but you have to provide it with any speed sensor information it is expecting, otherwise it may do the same thing.
tom

 

[tinman_72]

Had the same issue with my '93. Swapping out the IAC fixed it.

 

[Dav]

thought the speed sensor was just for the speedometer. soo, when I found the wiring harness for the trans was not right- the connector is wrong- I figured I wouldn't have a speedo. nbd.
as to the IAC. idle air control? is that different on manuals from autos? and which part is it? never mind, just looked it up in oreillys. still, are they different?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

thought the speed sensor was just for the speedometer. soo, when I found the wiring harness for the trans was not right- the connector is wrong- I figured I wouldn't have a speedo. nbd.
as to the IAC. idle air control? is that different on manuals from autos? and which part is it? never mind, just looked it up in oreillys. still, are they different?

IAC is controlled by the ECM...its the same on autos/manuals.

All i know is the kid at o reileys gave me an auto ecm by mistake for my 87 2.9/5speed and just putsing in the driveway i could tell something was way wrong.

Automatics idle lower, dont have to deal with sudden disengagement (mashing in a clutch), have different timing curves, alot of stuff.

Im not saying that the ECM is the issue....but id blame it first ib this case.

@RonD

 

[RonD]

IAC is just a solenoid valve, on our Rangers anyway, others use Step Motors
No there is no difference as far as transmission

But you should only use Motorcraft or Hitachi brand IAC Valves as they are true solenoids, other brands are "combo" to work on other makes

And automatics idle higher than manuals, just FYI, 750-800rpms. they need to so they don't stall when you put them into R or D, and computer should also bump up the idle by 50-75 when "in gear"
Manuals idle at 625-650rpms, but later years can be higher because of stricter emissions at idle
Those are warm idles, cold idles are higher and vary by temperature of engine at startup

 

[Dav]

I found a 97 2.3 Ranger and grabbed the ECM. The idle problem is solved! I went under the 97 to get the wires for the speedo and saw a downstream O2 sensor. I don't think my 95 has a downstream sensor, just the upstream, which craps out about every3 years. If the 97 did have both (been under so many wrecks lately I don't know which had what) and I don't now, will it matter in the long run? truck runs ok but tends to stall after a while which might just be me getting tired and making sloppy shifts

 

[RonD]

Good work with the new ECM

1995 and up Rangers have the newer 104-wire computers(EEC-V) which needs a Downstream O2