94 Ranger Starting Problems

[1994RangerMan]

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..

[freeclimber]

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.

[1994RangerMan]

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?

[freeclimber]

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

[1994RangerMan]

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?

[freeclimber]

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

[1994RangerMan]

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

[1994RangerMan]

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??

[freeclimber]

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.

[1994RangerMan]

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..

[freeclimber]

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.

[1994RangerMan]

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

[1994RangerMan]

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..

[worm6]

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

[1994RangerMan]

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??