Rough cold start and idle, sometimes stalls

[deddawg]

Hey guys, I've been experiencing this problem for a few months now, with the cold weather kicking in its been acting up more frequently now, with CEL coming on yesterday. It's with my 95 Ranger, with about 95K on it. It recently has begun to act up anytime the engine idles like at lights or stop signs. Most of the time, I can crank it no problem, it'll rev up really high then start sputtering, shaking the whole truck. I can keep it from dying or sputtering by tapping the gas, but as soon as I let off it starts acting up again. Also, the trans hasn't been shifting as quickly, sometimes lagging 3 or 4 seconds. Once the engine warms up, I have no problems with either.

So far I have only cleaned out my IAC, which was pretty coated, but had no visible clogs. I'm taking it to a shop on my lunch break to get the codes, I'll post them once I get the results. I've found some similar issues in the forums, but nothing with transmission issues as well. Any body have any ideas what it could be?

 

[txgocartB3000]

When was the last time the transmission fluid was changed?

95 truck with 95k miles is likely that it has not been badly mistreated.

Are you the original owner or is it possible that the mileage has been tampered with?

Do you often take it out on the freeway at high speed to clear out some carbon?

Do you often put fuel injector cleaner in the fuel?

How old is the gas in your tank?

Ray

 

[deddawg]

Transmission fluid was changed when I got the truck, around 62k.

I'm not the original owner, but inherited it from my granddad, so I highly doubt the mileage was tampered with. He would only drive it once every month or so.

I drive daily on freeway, 70+mph for about 20 min, weekends about an hour of freeway time same speed.

I have not put fuel injector cleaner in the tank.

Gas is fresh, filled up Saturday at a QT.

Thanks Ray

 

[txgocartB3000]

Well hell...

There go my ideas, will have to wait till some knowledgeable people come online.

I can deal with the easy stuff but marvel at the real techs and how they approach the problems.

Ray

 

[deddawg]

Haha, I'm in the same boat man. I can do basic troubleshooting, but beyond that I'm crap. I still appreciate it. Hopefully I'll hear that it a small, easy fix I can do myself from the shop.

 

[deddawg]

So the codes that came up were P1131 and P1151, mechanic said it was most likely an intake gasket, but I'm not so sure. I'd hate to be out of the money for something when it could have been as easy as a hose that needs replacing

 

[Terry]

Get some engine starting in the spray can from the auto parts store. Run the engine and spray the fluid around the base of the intake and between the intake top and bottom. If you have a leak it will idle higher.

 

[deddawg]

I searched around on the site some more, found one recommending I replace my MAF. Did that and haven't had any issues since. The real test is going to be when the cold weather hits harder this weekend, its been warming up this week, so I'm thinking may be why the issue has gone away for the time being. We will see!

Thanks for the advice! Saved me a good chunk of change.