Kind of annoying....

[Jason]

I will overlook the drivers door leak and the annoying noise the accelerator makes when the cruise is on AND the tranny dipstick location and a multitude of other things IF someone can give some insight on the following...

2004 Ranger, 4.0 4x4 extended cab (if it matters).

This thing bucks at 45-60 mph while cruising. No RPM change. Just feels like it's kicking me for expecting it to run smoothly. Only seems to happen in less than ideal conditions (never on a sunny day with dry roads). If I am accelerating it doesn't happen. Only while maintaining speed. Do you Ford gurus (like Allan) have any ideas why this is happening?

 

[AllanD]

I have zero experience with the all electric cruise control used on 1995-on Fords

AD

 

[Jason]

I have zero experience with the all electric cruise control used on 1995-on Fords

AD

If it matters, it does it on the pedal or cruise. Makes no difference.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Ok so the problem is that its being a PITA is because you defend the toyota way too much on here and it wants revenge! hahaha... Totally kidding.

Is it an auto or a stick? It kind of sounds like fuel cutting off or not enough at certain RPM's try and get it in the same RPM range in other gears and speeds and see if it still does it.

 

[Larry's shee]

Is it raining or wet when it does this?

 

[Jason]

It's an auto. Normally it is wet when it happens. Does not happen if I turn off overdrive. I am thinking it's hunting for a gear but why the hell would it do that at highway speeds?

It's this type of thing that made me defend the Yota. lol

 

[Ozwynn]

I bet it gots and exposed wire somewhere.

 

[Big Jim M]

I'm voting on spark wires.. The "wet condition" sold me.
Big JIm

 

[Jason]

It seemed that spark plug wires would cause problems all the time though. Not just while cruising at low engine load in overdrive.

 

[redstangs9308gt]

I had a 2004 ford ranger silver, 4.0 automatic. Bought brand new in November of 03.. Anyways, around August of 04 My truck started jerking and bucking at highways speeds and I was like crap I bet this chip I have has burnt my new tranny up. Well this went on into November of 04. At this point the tranny was acting up big time all the time. One day in Novemember I got a letter from Ford and they said they forgot to add, a additive to the transmission and it wasn't a big deal just bring the truck in and we will put the additive in it and you will be on you way. Well done that the truck did get better. Around 12k on the clock and Jan of 05 I said I am going to make them rebuild this tranny cause it was really bad again. Long story short, the first 04 rangers had a addivtive left out, Ford caught it about late 04. Some trucks ended getting rebuilt trannys some didn't get drove enough to even get tore up sooooo...You may want to check into this.

 

[Big Jim M]

As a matter of fact..

It seemed that spark plug wires would cause problems all the time though. Not just while cruising at low engine load in overdrive.

The coil has to work it's hardest at low load cruising in overdrive!!! At this time the engine is at it's highest vacuum and it's best economy.. So we have a LEAN mixture and an ADVANCED timing.. Under these conditions the coil must put out it's highest pressure (voltage).. Now if one or more of the wires has a small WET crack this higher voltage can find that little crack and jump to ground before getting to the electrode in the spark plug... so the damn engine misses when it is wet outside.. I vote for wires..
Big Jim