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Running Rough engine...


MrGarabaldi

New Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Messages
3
Transmission
Automatic
I have a 1994 2.3 liter 5 speed ranger with a lot of miles. I use it for camping and many other boy scout functions and the truck has been flawless, I have done some maintenance on the truck when needed. But I now have an issue that I am not sure what to do without shotgunning parts at her.
I was coming back from camp and the truck started developing a hesitation. Well it got worse and when I drive the truck a couple of days ago, I had to turn around, the truck was running rough and the tach was bouncing all over the place. I am thinking either plugs or coils. But I don't want to throw parts at the truck, I want to fix it.

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Howdy and welcome to TRS~!

We've had a few with similar symptoms this week so there must be a gremlin special on them. I think the first thing you want to do is try to pull the coeds, er, codes. Coeds are good for some things but not diagnosing a truck.

Probably getting random misfire and possible lean bank, but the tach is not something I've seen related to the other symptoms. You may have a computer problem in the long run, but the computer was running OBD-I in 1994 and they switched to OBD-II in or after 1995.

Problem with the early diagnostics (On Board Diagnostics - I) is the way they are read...there are some scanners that will read them, but not sure if you can get one as a loaner (some auto parts stores like Pep Boys might lend you one or scan them for you). There is a tech article on here that will give you a start...and tell you how to read them.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/OBD_I.shtml

Off hand it could be a number of things happening at the same time...but not usually the case. The bucking could be fuel pressure problems caused by a weak or failing pump or a plugged fuel filter. The bouncing tach could be a loose ground wire but if it happens at the same time as the bucking then it could be a bad ground on your fuel pump that is affecting the tach...

All kinds of strange things, but a solution for every one...most of the time fast and effective without running up a new parts inventory and draining your bank...hopefully!
 
Yes ^^^^


Pull 4 spark plugs, one from each cylinder, doesn't matter what side just 1 from each and look at the tip.
White part should be very light brown

Have a look here: http://ngksparkplugs.com/tech_support/spark_plugs/faqs/faqread.asp

Spark plugs do need to be changed, if it has been awhile then changing plugs and wires is not "throwing parts at it", it's maintenance

Change fuel filter as well, should be changed every 5 years or so.


2.3l also uses a timing belt, recommended change time on this is 80,000miles.
As it gets older it stretches, there is a tensioner that keeps it tight but it does have a limit, if Cam falls behind Crank, even a little, you loose compression.
Your symptom doesn't sound like this, just a heads up.

Could you have got some "bad gas" at a rural gas station?
"Bad gas" is gasoline with extra water in it, all gas has some water but when you get too much you get hesitation and misfires.
How many tanks of gas have you gone thru having these symptoms?
 
Last edited:
The above cover a lot, but I'll add some more things that are reasonable suspects. Plug wires can go bad and allow firing to the cam cover or other engine parts. You would see a 'light show' under the hood with the engine running at idle in a darkened place.
The EGR valve can get hung open a bit if it is corroded or gummed up. It is spring loaded to close, and pulled open by a vacuum diaphragm. It should cause a EEC-IV error code to be stored if the EGR does not 'respond to commands' more or less.
If you get a 'bucking, hesitation, or lack of power' you may have water. When I have had it, a LOT more recently, {wonder why? Sell water at gas prices? Why didn't I think of that?} the engine will feel 'dead' when I take my foot off the gas pedal to up-shift. It will be non-responsive and cause hesitation and 'bucking' in that it will go then not then go then not in a herky-jerky fashion.
Try some "HEET" gas additive, actually ethanol which will absorb a good chunk of water and allow it to be consumed without causing misfire. Maybe methanol, I never could get that hammered into my brain.
tom
 
Quick check, run a pint of the cheapest ATF transmission fluid thru a tank of gas, whenever mine gets like that it's because injectors clogged and stuff is carboned up...

Sent from my 9006W using Tapatalk
 

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