2.3L ('83-'97) rought idle for the first few seconds after starting, goes away after a minute or so.

[dgaskins216]

I have a 97 2.3 ranger with 179,240 miles, has been a great and strong running truck but recently started bumbling around while shifting and when you first start it in the morning it sounds really rough, can even kind of hear it rhh rhh rhh up and down in idle and after about a minute it goes away. I cleaned maf and replaced PVC also sprayed carb cleaner around the air intake but I can't figure it out for the life of me any help is appreciated!!

 

[SenorNoob]

I'd try cleaning the IAC. It's a cheap relatively simple thing.

 

[dgaskins216]

I'd try cleaning the IAC. It's a cheap relatively simple thing.

should I just unplug and spray with carb cleaner? I've seen In some previous threads to try to unplug while running to see if there is a vaccuum leak and as soon as I disconnect the truck stalls

 

[dgaskins216]

should I just unplug and spray with carb cleaner? I've seen In some previous threads to try to unplug while running to see if there is a vaccuum leak and as soon as I disconnect the truck stalls

 

[dgaskins216]

these are codes it's throwing now, was saying too lean before I cleaned maf and replaced pcv now it's saying too rich

 

[SenorNoob]

Unplugging the IAC and it stalling is a good sign there. It shows that the IAC is working.

I didn't know you had codes. That changes things a little.

Does it do it when warm restarting? Only when cold? Warm but after several minutes of sitting?

 

[dgaskins216]

Unplugging the IAC and it stalling is a good sign there. It shows that the IAC is working.

I didn't know you had codes. That changes things a little.

Does it do it when warm restarting? Only when cold? Warm but after several minutes of sitting?

only when staring after it's cooled all the way down, I would say even within an hour or so it doesn't do it, usually at 5 am when I leave for work and 4 pm when I leave to head home, the rough shifting usually stays tho if I give it more throttle it seems to shift smoother than if I ease into it

 

[dgaskins216]

only when staring after it's cooled all the way down, I would say even within an hour or so it doesn't do it, usually at 5 am when I leave for work and 4 pm when I leave to head home, the rough shifting usually stays tho if I give it more throttle it seems to shift smoother than if I ease into it

initially the code reader recommended I change the pcv and grommet which I did but then it changed from lean to rich, I'm new to work on vehicles so I'm so lost lol thank you for the insight!

 

[SenorNoob]

Since cleaning the MAF and changing the PCV valve made that much of a difference. When was the last time the air filter was changed?

 

[dgaskins216]

Since cleaning the MAF and changing the PCV valve made that much of a difference. When was the last time the air filter was changed?

I've had the truck for almost 2 years now and the guy I bought it from replaced it right before I bought it. I usually just blow it out with an air compressor each time I change the oil

 

[SenorNoob]

Shouldn't be bad enough to be causing problems then. Just know that blowing out a paper filter can tear holes that allow dirt through.

Hmm.

 

[dgaskins216]

Shouldn't be bad enough to be causing problems then. Just know that blowing out a paper filter can tear holes that allow dirt through.

Hmm.

I also seen someone else say in a different thread to try to unhook EGR hose while it was running rough and the op said it fixed his problem when he unhooked it but it seemed to have no change in the idle

 

[dgaskins216]

I also seen someone else say in a different thread to try to unhook EGR hose while it was running rough and the op said it fixed his problem when he unhooked it but it seemed to have no change in the idle

The idle so much isn't even what bothers me as it goes away after a minute I'm just worried that it's causing it to lack power which is causing the transmission to shift rough

 

[dgaskins216]

The idle so much isn't even what bothers me as it goes away after a minute I'm just worried that it's causing it to lack power which is causing the transmission to shift rough

also I don't know if it makes a difference but it idles down when I put it in gear and seems like a more unstable idle compared to when in park, usually when I cut the headlights on it idles down even more

 

[SenorNoob]

Review.
Idles weird/hunting idle until it warms up.
Air filter: Probably not bad enough to cause problems.
Have checked for intake leaks and can't find any.
Unplugging IAC causes a stall.

Can you test the IAT sensor?