Ranger dies / stalls while driving: possible solution

[Longhand]

I bought a 2004 Ranger 4x4 a little of a while ago and had this stalling / dieing problem with it, but now it is fixed. To fix it I put 2 bottles of gasline antifreeze into the tank and filled it, ( as it had been sitting for about 6 months before the seller sold it to me), and I replaced the air filter, which was the dirtiest I have ever seen.

With these two small things done, the truck runs like a charm ever since. I think that the air filter was the most in need of replacement, as it still hickuped and tried to stall after I put the gas line antifreeze in the tank.

I should mention that the shop I took it to, could not find the source of the problem after ten hours of testing everything on the engine, the drivetrain, the electrical system and the fuel system.


I post this here in hopes it helps someone in a similar spot.


Longhand

 

[Keith44]

my '03 4x4 with 4.0 SOHC V6 has an annoying habit of seeming to die for just a second, but only in cold weather, with 4 hi engaged and while traveling at constant speeds for an extended time. It's done this since it was new (first noticed at 2,341.7 miles) Ford could not diagnose it, but did admit that the engine just skips a couple beats then picks back up as if nothing is wrong. This does not throw a code, and new filters, new plugs, gas additives, and higher octane gas do not help.

Offered only as a heads up, this is my only complaint about this truck.

 

[Andy D]

If a car sits around here, the first thing to check is the airbox for a squirrel nest. I would check the plugs and wires. change the oil and filter and check other stuff.

 

[Longhand]

sounds a lot like my problem. It has been cold here, but as I said, once we replaced the air filter, it cleared up. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Mark_88]

I bought a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick from a dealer...it had passed emission and safety and ran pretty good...but terrible gas mileage...I started checking things and found the air filter completely...and I mean comPLETEly coated with grease...

I think the dealership had a new guy working the service bay and someone told him to "change the air filter and give it a good grease job..." which he literally did...

When I put the new air filter in the mileage per tank went up considerably...