sputtering when cold between 1500-2000 rpm

[Kedyn's Crow]

I have a 90 Ranger with a 2.3 and 5 speed standard. I am having an issue that just started yesterday. When the truck is first started and cold, it will idle fine but when I start to go it will spit and sputter between 1500 and 2000rpms. If I rev it up over 2000 and let the clutch out it runs fine, but once I go below 2000 rpms it spits and sputters again. If it is reving under 1500 with hardly any load on the engine, just coasting it is fine but once I give it more than 1/4 throttle it will sputter up until it gets over 2000 rpms. Once the truck is warmed up it runs fine and this issue disappears.

I have had an issue that it will sputter when going up a hill and it is reving around 1500 - 2000 rpms in 4th or 5th gear. I don't know if the 2 issues are related but both are at the same rpms. No check engine light has come on and I haven't had a chance to check for codes yet.

Thanks.

 

[ranger906]

Try cleaning your mass air flow sensor. You can get electronics cleaning spray at any automotive parts store... Let me know if that helps...

 

[Kedyn's Crow]

It has now taken into spitting and sputter all the time. If I unplug the driver's side coil pack it runs fine. I'm starting to think that the ignition control module is the problem. I've tested the coil packs and even swaped the one from the passenger side to the drivers side and it made no difference.

 

[LivinTheDream]

I have the same problem. I have a 96 Ranger. It idles fine but then only while driving does it sputter and buck. But let me describe it better. The engine does not just lose power, it bucks hard. It feels like a kill witch is being turned on and off. Then when you let your foot off the gas and back on… the problem is solved until anther minute or so. Sometimes it drives fine for 20 minutes with out bucking. Other times it bucks in every gear.

I don't know where to start.

Also the engine light flickers when it bucks but never holds a code. The light just flickers when it bucks.