hannah2001
Member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2024
- Messages
- 15
- City
- Georgia
- Vehicle Year
- 2002
- Engine
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Tire Size
- 265/75/15
I have a 2002 ford ranger with the 2.3. ever since i bought the truck (6 months ago) its been throwing codes P1120 and P1125. I just assumed it was a bad TPS (bad, i know) threw a new sensor on it but the code kept coming back. it has always had idling problems but was not giving me any drivability issues so I just decided to ignore it cause I don't have much time to diagnose nor the money to pay a mechanic to fix it. Well as of last week the truck has started bucking, jerking, shifting erratically, at one point i lost all throttle response going down the highway and i hit the pedal hard with my foot and its like it snapped back into it and started responding again. so now I feel like I have to actually try and pinpoint the issue since its giving me major problems, but I cant find much online as far as an actual diagnostic process for this specific engine and truck. People have talked about it could possibly be a failing PCM, wiring problems, could somehow be linked to the IACV or MAF, but no explanation as to how I can actually diagnose and I don't have the money to just throw parts at it.
what i've done:
- new TPS; unfortunately not motorcraft because I cannot find an OEM motorcraft sensor for this truck, i believe its been discontinued. I did get the most reputable brand I could find. I did attempt to calibrate it from what I could find online about holding the pedal down 3 times, i've also unhooked the battery and left it disconnected for 20+ minutes to do a full reset
- cleaned throttle body
- unplugged IACV while truck is running and warmed up, it idles terribly rough and at like 200 rpm so I believe the IAC is in working condition
- the previous owners tampered with the idle adjustment screw and had it backed all the way out. I dialed it back in the best I could and assuming by my sensor readings it seems to be set correctly.
- took TPS readings with forscan and I have attached a video of my results at the bottom of this post. the sweep seems to be stable and not jumping erratically
Basically what I'm asking for is guidance to how I can figure out whats causing my problem. I like to think i'm pretty mechanically inclined from not having the money to pay mechanics to work on anything I own (lol) so if someone could maybe write out all possible causes and step by step procedures on how to test all related components I would greatly appreciate it. I will answer any questions
https://youtube.com/shorts/cPuYwTjNZfU?feature=share
what i've done:
- new TPS; unfortunately not motorcraft because I cannot find an OEM motorcraft sensor for this truck, i believe its been discontinued. I did get the most reputable brand I could find. I did attempt to calibrate it from what I could find online about holding the pedal down 3 times, i've also unhooked the battery and left it disconnected for 20+ minutes to do a full reset
- cleaned throttle body
- unplugged IACV while truck is running and warmed up, it idles terribly rough and at like 200 rpm so I believe the IAC is in working condition
- the previous owners tampered with the idle adjustment screw and had it backed all the way out. I dialed it back in the best I could and assuming by my sensor readings it seems to be set correctly.
- took TPS readings with forscan and I have attached a video of my results at the bottom of this post. the sweep seems to be stable and not jumping erratically
Basically what I'm asking for is guidance to how I can figure out whats causing my problem. I like to think i'm pretty mechanically inclined from not having the money to pay mechanics to work on anything I own (lol) so if someone could maybe write out all possible causes and step by step procedures on how to test all related components I would greatly appreciate it. I will answer any questions
https://youtube.com/shorts/cPuYwTjNZfU?feature=share