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98 Ranger problem! Please Help!!!


Ranger4x4.0

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My credo
God is great, beer is good, and rangers are awesome!
I have a 1998 4.0. It jerks, spits, and sputters at random times ant random speeds. One day it'll drive like a brand new one, then a couple days later itll jerk like hell. It pretty much does it whenever it feels like it. I have taken it to a local shop, replaced MAF sensor, SEEMED like it helped it for a few days, til it did it again. Replaced coil pack, didnt help it. Replaced fuel pump for 2nd time, didn't help. Feul filter, nope. Plugs, wires, ran smoother but nope. Cleaned IAC, put heet and seafoam in tank, checked for vacuum leaks, ive tried almost everything possible. I changed the Throttle Position Sensor a few days ago, seemed like it helped quite a bit, but today it did it again. Yes, ive checked the CEL, all it says is Lean/Rich condition or whatever, no help. If anyone at all has any idea, or has had this problem and fixed it, or anything else, i'd like to hear it! I love these rangers but after this, i dont know anymore...:icon_confused:
Edit: I also replaced pcv valve and o2 sensors, both didn't do anything.
 
Last edited:


Big Jim M

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"all it says is Lean/Rich condition or whatever"

What REALLY does it say? Perhaps therein lies the problem.
Big Jim
 

Ranger4x4.0

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My credo
God is great, beer is good, and rangers are awesome!
Well, the last time i got the cel checked the auto-zone guy said its a lean rich code. That's it, nothing else. They suggested the maf, replaced it, and still nothing. When i replaced it at the shop, they reset the computer, and a few days later, it came back on. So i checked it again and it said the o2 sensors bad, replaced those and reset cel. Few days later it came back on, haven't checked it since.
 

97RangerXLT

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Total Lift
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Pull the codes again and post the actual codes. That will help us help you to narrow down the problem.

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear
 

Ranger4x4.0

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God is great, beer is good, and rangers are awesome!
Ill definitely do that, but it wont be til monday. Say it only gives a lean code, what else could it be?
 

TxGasRacer

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Vacuum leaks
 

enjr44

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Loose/bad grounds. There are a lot of them and they are all needed. Computers run on pretty low voltages (like 5 or so).
 

Big Jim M

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Question, do you have an exhaust leak?
Big Jim
 

Ranger4x4.0

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My credo
God is great, beer is good, and rangers are awesome!
Ive already checked for vacuum leaks, there are none.
I wouldnt even know how to begin on checking all the grounds.
No exhaust leak.

Im sick of this thing, and its like im the only one who had this problem before. Ive tried almost everything the internet suggested and still nothing.:pissedoff:
 

Ranger4x4.0

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My credo
God is great, beer is good, and rangers are awesome!
Could it be a camshaft syncronizer and/or sensor? I've seen something on google about them doing that, but my syncro doesn't chirp.
 

aspevacek

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You need to pull codes the actual codes it is throwing.

The ECU will tell you what is wrong with those simple codes. Every code should be posted. Most of what you are describing could be a multitude of different issues but you can throw parts at it for days with out giving codes to get directed in the right direction. Most of the part stores guys today have next to no back ground in auto repair yet attempt to give advice on parts needed as if they did.

You did not describe if the bucking was under load or at idle. In a certain RPM range, coming out of an under load situation......

Pull the codes post them up here in there entirety and then it will give people something to work with.
 

97RangerXLT

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Total Lift
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Tire Size
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without the actual codes, there is no sense even messing with it, you are going to just frustrate yourself and not get anything accomplished. get the actual P code (should be P1234, substitute the actual code number for 1234)and post those up. only then can you get meaningful direction as to what is wrong.

AJ
 

MA Ranger

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How are the fuel injectors?
 

Andy D

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Wild @$$ guess. Do you buy gas at the same place all the time? If so, buy a few tanks somewhere else. :D
 

Ranger4x4.0

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Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
God is great, beer is good, and rangers are awesome!
Sorry guys! I will definitely get the codes asap, i just haven't got to it yet.

Im sure the injectors are okay but ill keep it in mind.
I buy gas from all over the state of mo. I travel a lot, so i don't think its a fuel problem.

I will go to auto zone today and pull the codes and post em uo!
 

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