Various issues

[colley_cibber]

My 2000 5 spd Ranger is doing a lot of weird things, so I'm not quite where to start looking.

It tends to stall out on a cold start unless I give it some gas. When idling, I can hear a clicking noise as if something is turning on and off. Shifting is sticky, and the car may lurch a bit and braking at low speeds can be sudden with some squealing.

After driving for a few minutes, things get smoother and there aren't many symptoms, expect for the clicking when idling.

Any thoughts?

 

[bikerboy]

Is there a check engine light on? As for the brakes pull all the wheels and take a look at them and see if they are worn down at all? Make sure everything for your brakes are moving freely as well.

 

[Earl43P]

Cold start, try turning the key to run, listen for the fuel pump to run for 2 secs, then off. Repeat 3X, then start it. (use this method to make it start and idle reliably).

If that works, fuel filter connections could be seeping, bad fuel pump (checkvalve), or bad fuel pressure regulator. Basically, the fuel pressure is bleeding down.

The clicking while idling is probably the compressor cycling. Try the Heater in the OFF position to eliminate that possibility.

The grabbing brakes is common. To verify it, simply drive slowly and use the parking brake for the first slow-down and stop. Then use the regular brakes to see if the grabbiness is gone. If so, your drums have gotten a light coat of rust that makes the rears grabby for the first couple of stops. Compensate, or replace the rear shoes (and hope what you bought works better than what you've got - which is not a sure thing).

 

[colley_cibber]

Is there a check engine light on? As for the brakes pull all the wheels and take a look at them and see if they are worn down at all? Make sure everything for your brakes are moving freely as well.

Sorry, should have mentioned the check engine light's not on.

Brakes were changed < 3 months ago so I doubt it's that. Will take a look to ensure everything's moving freely.

Thanks for the input. I'd like to try to fix it myself, but I may have to give in and take it to a mechanic if I don't know where to start looking.

 

[skinner]

sounds like the A/C compressor to me. You got that AC on or not?

 

[bikerboy]

Thanks for the input. I'd like to try to fix it myself, but I may have to give in and take it to a mechanic if I don't know where to start looking.

Earl43p has a some good info in his post. Where are you located at?

 

[colley_cibber]

sounds like the A/C compressor to me. You got that AC on or not?

Yeah, it's the compressor that's cycling every few seconds while idling. But that wouldn't cause the stalling and lurching / sticky shifting issues, right?

I'm near Greensboro, NC.

 

[skinner]

It could yes. My A/C compressor is past dead but can still kick out some cold air. Each time it cycles it cycles with a clank and almost kills the motor. And if driving, it feels like a "jerk" and loss of power for a second. It's extremely possible. Turn the A/C and heater off and see if problem still exists.

 

[Earl43P]

It could yes. My A/C compressor is past dead but can still kick out some cold air. Each time it cycles it cycles with a clank and almost kills the motor. And if driving, it feels like a "jerk" and loss of power for a second. It's extremely possible. Turn the A/C and heater off and see if problem still exists.

I would bleed off some refrigerant and then re-service it with refigerant WITH OIL. Or have a mechanic do it. You might improve/save that compressor. I've done that before. A LOT of people just "add a can" for years, not thinking that oil escapes with the refrigerant. That's how you find the leak, look for dirt collected on that waxy oil.



Colley, you might want to clean or replace your IAC; it controls idle.