94 Ranger Starting Problems

I have a 94 Ford Ranger and sometimes when I start it up after it sits, the tach shoots up as normal, then it drops and almost stalls, then it shoots up again.. This doesnt happen every day.. but it bothers me.. Any Ideas??


Also, now once it gets hot, it turns over slower and doesnt want to start. I have been told that is the first sign of a starter going bad..

I plan on replacing the starter tonight, i sure hope that is the problem and i am not wasting money..

Slow cranking could be from an undercharged battery or from a bad connection to the starter or the starter. If the connections to the startere look really corroded, try cleaning them off and trying it before putting on the new part.
Is your engine light on? Idle problem could be a stuck open EGR or bad DPFE sensor or bad IAC motor.

I have put the starter on and that was the problem, as far as starting.. and the slow cranking.. the starter actually quit working all together..

It still almost stalls out sometimes when it starts like explained before.. but the engine light is not on.. any ideas?

a bad IAC wont usually cause an engine light to come on. does it start ok with some throttle applied. if so, replace iac.

Yes it starts fine if i give it alittle gas once started. as long as i keep the tach over 1000 rpm it runs fine, and starts fine..

so you have any idea where that is located on my truck?

It's mounted on your throttle body. It creates an air passage around the throttle plate. Should have one harness connector and two bolts.

Thanks for the info.. i will look for it..

I Cleaned the IAC and it seemed to work for a day of so and now it is back to its old problem again.. should i just buy a new one or is there a different problem??

It sounds like your IAC is bad. As long as you've checked for wiring problems, vacuum leaks, throttle obstructions/binding, you should solve the problem with a new IAC.

if it had a vacuum leak it would run like crap all the time i would assume... thanks for all the advice by the way..

I recently found that Ford warns against cleaning the IAC valve. They say the problem is sure to return, cleaning is only short term fix.

Good to know.. i do plan on just replacing some time soon.. i was just waiting to see what replies i got on here..

I was talkin to a mechanic and he said that he didnt know if the IAC would fix the problem.. I just dont want to waist the money.. but if you guys have had a similar problem and the IAC fixed it.. i am sure that will work..

my 93 ranger same idle problems after reading alot on forum i changed IAC. this helped but still same deal. 60 bucks auto zone. them decided to pull MAF out and clean. i had to use my dremmel to slice a groove for regular screwdriver but sure did the trick runs great now

so changing the IAC helped.. but the MAF did the trick.. that sounds good.. i will have to try that.. what did you clean it with??

right or wrong i used carb cleaner. came right off

Thank you Worm.Mine is a 93 too.I looked at it today, I see what you are talking about.I haven't cleaned it yet ,but I will first chance I get.Thanks again for your help.

now mines a 93 so yours could be different but you have the air box with you air filter. and then you have maf to the air intake tube to your motor. now all you need to do is take off the two screws on top removes the sensor be careful with it clean off put back on no need to crank down on the screws. before you start pull off ground cable on battery to reset computer. just leave off till done or 15 mins or so.

Thank you Worm.Mine is a 93 too.I looked at it today, I see what you are talking about.I haven't cleaned it yet ,but I will first chance I get.Thanks again for your help.
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so i changed my IAC and it helped but still the same old problem if it sits for a while... like over night..

you think cleaning the MAF will fix the problem?? what do i clean it with

The garage cant even seem to find the problem.. do you guys have any ideas?? if the MAF was dirty or whatever, it would pop the computer at the garage wouldnt it??

Change your o2 sensor. This i think, will clear up the problem.

here's some instructions on cleaning MAF http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85590&highlight=cleaning+maf

hope it solves your problem. Good Luck!!

i was also told to change the temp sensor, you guys think that could solve the problem??

my 93 3.ol has the same prob so I'm gonna work on it tonight thought I would clean battery wires they look corroded then try and clean the MAF. We'll see if it is enough.

Did you ever find out anything on your starting problem?? Mine is going back to the shop tomorrow.. they had to call some tech line, they said to look for vaccum leaks along the fuel rail, check the O2 sensor, and i was also told to check the temp sensor..

Actually I checked mine out looked at anything that seemed wrong and I replaced the selonoid coil that didn't fix so I put a new battery terminal in and that seems to have fixed the starting problem. Now if I could fix the idle problem =(

so now your truck starts, but it doesnt idle right or what?? so yours has the same idle problem as mine??

yup it starts fine but i still got a weird idle sometimes
can't seem to figure it out though

i will post on what i find out from the garage tomorrow.. hopefully it will give us some help..

so i brought my truck back to the shop and they still have found no problems, the computer shows nothing! I am getting very frusterated.. they checked for vaccum leaks and everything like that.. checked to O2 sensor, what else is there to check.. as i have stated i already put a new IAC in.. any suggestions????

i had a problem with my mass air flow ($280) that was causing me reving problems also it could not regulate my air to gas ratio due to the fact of a faulty air filter that got sucked into my intake

after my starting problems I replaced my battery just in case and cleaned some things but I still have the rev problems. When I left wrestling today it did it about an hour ago i have to take it in to get rotors next week i'll have them check it out.

they found a vaccum leak up by the cylinder, the hose was broke uff.. they took of my intake and cleaned out all the carbon.. runs much better but still has the stalling problem.. it is going back to the shop on monday

Do you know which vacuum line was broken?

I brought it back to the shop, they found that the throttle plate was moved from the factory setting, and they let the computer reprogram itself.. and they say now it is working fine.. ihave to go and pick it up today.. we will have to see how that goes.

i believe the vacuum line was broken up near the air conditioner.. i am not sure..

so the last couple of weeks my truck has been acting up again.. searching for an idle for about 2 minutes after started if it is cold.. does anyone have any idea of what could be causing it now??

Any help would be very appreciated..

Thanks

could anyone help me with an 87 starter problem? this truck EATS starters....put one on , it cranks(but with a little noise...and then works about 2 weeks)...I have a new batt, new positive cable, new (but weak) altenator, new solenoid...the only thing I havent replaced is the negative cable...checked with the dealer on the length(as the one on the truck nnow is about 53 inches long and grounded to the drivers side of the block),,,the dealer tells me the neg cable should be 39 inches, but doesnt know where it should be grounded..

the mounting bolts on the starter have been replace, the original holes tapped , the bolts presently in the truck starter are the same thread but larger diameter....the starter is NOT loose upon inspection, but replacing an old starter(or 2 week old starter) with another one resolves the problem ..temporarily ...

I had been hit on the right rear (passenger) and put a tailgiht assembly unit on ....since the truck had been 'laid up' for a while....lately the fuel gauge works sporadically as does the left hand blinker...

welll...hope that gives yall enough to go on..I sure do need some help...thanks