2000 ranger starts fine then dies. If you hold throttle open after it starts it runs fine but not idle. If you hold throttle open and rev it up after a minute or so it will idle OK. This does not happen all the time, usually cold engine.

Clean throttle plate and IAC .

I have changed the throttle position sensor and the EGR valve. I changed the EGR because when I tapped on it the truck started,,,,,but the IAC is also right there and may have gotten the tap as well......... I also had changed one of the oxygen sensors for faulty heat. I cleaned the throttle plate. I am thinking about the IAC even though I have not gotten any fault codes on it. Does it clean easily or should I just change it?

Clean it with carb cleaner but don't get the cleaner in the electrical part.

After cleaning it lubricate it with some light machine oil or 5/30 motor oil in each of the two cavities. If you can spray it with some WD-40 you won't have to spray with cleaner it will clean and lube it at the same time. I would try cleaning it before changing it. It runs about $65.