98 Ranger fuel problems?

Hello everyone,

I'm experiencing a strange occurance with my Ranger. It's a 2.5L 4cyl. 2wd manual trans. Basically, whenever the truck hasn't been run for a while (say, 8 or more hours)... it won't stay cranked. It starts up first try, but at idle it sputters and goes dead.

Here's the kicker... after the engine warms up (probably 10 minutes), it runs like the day I bought it.

When it won't stay cranked, if I keep the engine above idle it will continue to run... but once I take my foot off the gas in neutral, she dies on me. It takes me about 15 minutes to get to work, so by the time I get there - it's running fine.

Any ideas?

-Matt

A malfunctioning idle air control valve will keep the motor from idling, but can be compensated for by opening the throttle plate. This problem often doesn't cause the MIL to illuminate.

A malfunctioning idle air control valve will keep the motor from idling, but can be compensated for by opening the throttle plate. This problem often doesn't cause the MIL to illuminate.
put in a 180 thermo. and trick the computer