98 ranger wont stay running

Ok so i've took advice from people around me until im broke and my 1998 ranger still wont run. It will start and run for about 10 minutes but while running it will just up and all of sudden (im thinking) lose fire. once accelerated it will begin to rev but then it will just shut off and all my gauges zero out or go back to as if i had turned the ignition switch off but then jump back to life. Then about 10 or so minutes later just abruptly die and wont start back. Then i can leave it sitting and go back the next day and it will fire right up but does the same thing. I've replaced plugs, coil packs, fuel pump and filter. Any help would be appreciated greatly i cant bring myself to sell the truck it was my first truck and i just cant let it go. Thanks in advance

Does the check engine light happen to be on? If so, please get a scan and post the codes for us.

the check engine light has been on about since ive owned the truck when i had it checked it gave the code for a vacuum leak. and despite the miles of vacuum hose i attempted to track down the vacuum leak but had no luck. and the way its running i cant make it back to the local autozone to have it checked and if i could it would still give off the previous code for vacuum leaks wouldn't it? so yeah guess im kinda just shootin in the dark here. I've done some more researching and i think it could possibly be the Idle Air Control Valve Or the Crankshaft Position Sensor it's late right now here in Ga no place to call to get a price check any idea on how much these items would cost?

also note then when i first got the truck and the check engine came on it ran for two years with the check engine light on then i encountered these new problems

is that the only code dose it pull up a misfire code or anything. becuase it sounds like a crank senser.

as far as i know it only pulled the one code for vacuum leaks thats all they ever said at autozone. but after doing some research i do believe the Crankshaft Position Sensor is my problem. Though when i referenced my trusty Haynes manual it offers absolutely nothing about the crankshaft position sensor. Sure it's in the index but when i turn to the corresponding pages it references me to another chapter and in that chapter it only mentions camshaft position sensors. To sum it up i have no idea how to test it or even know where to start looking for it. Guess ill have to trace the wires from the coil packs and see where they take me. Is this illusive Crankshaft positon sensor located on the outside of the block or within? ah one more thing could it possibly be my idle air control valve or a clogged EGR valve?

well if it was an EGR it would set an exhaust gas recerculation code or an EGR short circet code.. the crank senser is located twards the front of the block neer the harmonic balencer(this is just a guess becuase it differs from models) but it should be the only senser around that paticular area

:banghead: Mass air flow sensor failure would produce these types of problems. Get a code reader on it if you can to be sure. If you can pump your own gas it's an easy replacement to do yourself but will cost about 100$.

It was not a good idea running the vehicle with the CEL on although the vehicle seemed to be working fine. The PCM is just compensating for the problem but eventually it will cause other problems. Are you getting a 171 and/or 174 CEL code? Have you checked for any vaccum leak around the upper intake manifold? That's what happened to me. After suspecting other components such as O2 sensor, EGR, etc. and checked for leaks all over, I decided to spray injector cleaner around the base of the upper intake manifold and sure enough, I had a slight leak. I replaced the "O" ring gasket and that cleared the code.