Surging and almost complete stop.

[97BlackR]

'97 Ranger - 3.0L - 5 Speed - 95,260 miles

Just recently bought my truck, love it so far, mostly... After I've been driving it a few days, I've noticed a couple smaller issues that could be the cause of a bigger issue?

Truck runs down the road, easily. Idles fine, for the most part. Shifts fine, for the most part.

1. If I leave it idling for about 3-4 minutes, it feels as if it jumps, or is misfiring every once in a while.

2. When taking off in first gear, the truck will almost stop in it's tracks. This has only happened TWICE since I've had it, but being I've had it for only 4 days, that's a fairly concerning amount.

3. Second gear will grind if I try to shift quickly, from higher RPMs.

4. If I'm trying to gain speed quickly, like merging on to the highway, the truck seems to cut out for a millisecond, then back at it, then cut out again. Almost like it's losing fuel. Volume and fuel pressure test fine.

5. Fuel gauge randomly stopped. Has 1/4 tank in it now, and started to register it, while I was driving, then cut out completely again. Tested/bypassed the anti-slosh module, or whatever it's called, and didn't change anything.

 

[bmerr98]

Well, as with any "new to you" vehicle, I'd give it a thorough going over including filters, plugs, wires etc. Check fluid levels/conditions, brakes, look for burnt wiring, all that stuff. That will at least eliminate problems associated with routine maintenance items that may have been neglected. Might find a problem or two that hasn't showed up yet, too.

Hope it's just something basic.

 

[97BlackR]

I did check all wiring, that was a pain. Everything looks essentially new. Brakes are new with less than 200 miles on them. Have it has service reports from when the dealer got the vehicle. It's a Ford dealership luckily, so it did get a great tune up as soon as the dealer got it. I'll give it a good once over today, just to be sure.

 

[tmcalavy]

Okay, when I get a new to me vehicle I change all the fluids...every last one, do an oil change, new filters, coolant if necessary. On your truck, I have a 93 XLT with the 3.-slow v6, I would clean the MAF, check all vacuum lines, clean the IAC valve, check and recheck all the sensor connections, put half a can of sea foam into a tank full of Techron or similar hi-test gas, and sea foam the intake and upper end...directions on sea foam cans. Then right after the sea foam, take it out and run the snot out of it on the highway. If you want to clean the guts, do the sea foam in the crankcase treatment. 3 cans should do all this, at about $6-$8 a can...or you can be cheap like me and do a 50-50 oil/tranny fluid flush in the crankcase rather than sea foam. Don't know if your 97 has a dist and rotor...if it does, pop the cap, remove all wires and clean the contacts inside and out, plus the contacts on the rotor. Guaranteed good stuff from a 30-plus year Ford guy.

 

[97BlackR]

Okay, when I get a new to me vehicle I change all the fluids...every last one, do an oil change, new filters, coolant if necessary. On your truck, I have a 93 XLT with the 3.-slow v6, I would clean the MAF, check all vacuum lines, clean the IAC valve, check and recheck all the sensor connections, put half a can of sea foam into a tank full of Techron or similar hi-test gas, and sea foam the intake and upper end...directions on sea foam cans. Then right after the sea foam, take it out and run the snot out of it on the highway. If you want to clean the guts, do the sea foam in the crankcase treatment. 3 cans should do all this, at about $6-$8 a can...or you can be cheap like me and do a 50-50 oil/tranny fluid flush in the crankcase rather than sea foam. Don't know if your 97 has a dist and rotor...if it does, pop the cap, remove all wires and clean the contacts inside and out, plus the contacts on the rotor. Guaranteed good stuff from a 30-plus year Ford guy.

Normally, I would change all that too, but with the records I got, I saw no need to change them. Seafoam is on the list, but waiting a little longer until I get ready for the first oil change, already bought 2 cans of it. Coiled motor, no distributor or cap. The only thing I plan on changing soon are the plugs. Have no record of those changing recently. Last time was back in 2008. Probably just going to go with Bosch or Champion copper plugs, unless I should look into something else.

 

[bmerr98]

Probably just going to go with Bosch or Champion copper plugs, unless I should look into something else.

PLEASE!!!! Save yourself from doing it twice and get Motorcraft Platinum Plugs. Our little Rangers just seem to like their Motorcraft plugs better than any other.

 

[tmcalavy]

Ditto...Fords don't like Champions, don't know why but it's true. Autolite/Motorcraft is your best bet for reliability/durability.

 

[XLTsplash]

I feel the same way, stick with Motorcraft or Autolite spark plugs.

 

[black_demon69]

motorcraft or autolite for sure. every ford i have ever owned ran like crap on champion or bosch.....