- Joined
- Sep 5, 2025
- Messages
- 16
- Points
- 101
- City
- Anacortes
- State - Country
- N/A
- Other
- Early Bronco
- Vehicle Year
- 1996
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 3.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Total Lift
- None
- Total Drop
- None
- Tire Size
- 235/75/15
When cold or back in OL, will fire up and idle around 1,500 and setting down to 1,000 eventually settling around 850rpm. This will maintain until you shut off the engine and restart it. If the temp is still warm enough to be in CL, it jumps to 2,000 rpm and will stay there. The only thing I can do it put into D or R which of course forces the idle down and drive. Within a few minutes, it's back down to 850rpm.
No codes being thrown and have been checking for vacuum leaks. Sprayed carb cleaner around anything I can find and not finding anything.
Also did some basic testing when idling at 850 and warm:
Pull IAC connector and idle drops to about 550-600rpm.
Remove oil cap and get brief surge in idle with sucking, then calms back down to probably 900rpm
Capped off PCV at manifold to test, no difference
Capped off fuel evap at manifold to test, no difference
Fuel pressure is correct
I know I need to get a smoke machine and really check for a vacuum leak beyond what I can do with carb cleaner and visuals. Hoping or wondering if anyone has experienced this before? There are times it'll be idling at 2,000 and then just kick down to 1,200 and eventually to 850. I thought IAC so I bought a Motorcraft and installed, same behavior. I don't want to start shooting the parts cannon at it.
Any insight is appreciated.
-Dan
No codes being thrown and have been checking for vacuum leaks. Sprayed carb cleaner around anything I can find and not finding anything.
Also did some basic testing when idling at 850 and warm:
Pull IAC connector and idle drops to about 550-600rpm.
Remove oil cap and get brief surge in idle with sucking, then calms back down to probably 900rpm
Capped off PCV at manifold to test, no difference
Capped off fuel evap at manifold to test, no difference
Fuel pressure is correct
I know I need to get a smoke machine and really check for a vacuum leak beyond what I can do with carb cleaner and visuals. Hoping or wondering if anyone has experienced this before? There are times it'll be idling at 2,000 and then just kick down to 1,200 and eventually to 850. I thought IAC so I bought a Motorcraft and installed, same behavior. I don't want to start shooting the parts cannon at it.
Any insight is appreciated.
-Dan
