• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

1987 2.3 high idle


Fordstraydog

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
Help, I got a 87 ranger with 2.3 . After driving for 10mins or so it idles at 1200 to1400 but if I have a 1/4 tank of gas or less it's fine. Any help would be appreciated thanks
 


rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,261
Reaction score
7,270
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
87 2.3 is EFI correct?

If so clean/replace your IAC. (Idle air control).
 

racsan

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 17, 2007
Messages
4,919
Reaction score
4,317
Points
113
Location
central ohio
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
ford/escape
Engine Type
2.5 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.5/151 I-4
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
235/70/16
My credo
the grey-t escape
Check all your vacuum lines/connections
 

Fordstraydog

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
I appreciate the help!!! Checked vacuum lines ,nothing . When I drive it and it stays idling high, I unplug IAC and it goes to normal. So leads me to a sensor or something in wiring causing it. I unplugged the tps too when it's high and it stays high . Can intake air temp sensor cause this?
 

Fordstraydog

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
How I found it runs fine under 1/4 tank of gas . Drove to feed store one morning it ran fine so I drove it around more and it was fine. Stop at the gas station filled it up drove home which is a mile from there.I ate lunch then drove it and high idle was back. I siphoned gas to 1/4 tank where it was before I filled it up and it was good again!
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,694
Reaction score
13,149
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
How did you check for vacuum leaks?
 

Fordstraydog

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
How did you check for vacuum leaks?
Unplug and plug with caps, spray carb cleaner which a couple people say do, and even took it to a shop and they checked too. I found the tank vent grommet was loose so I changed that too
 

rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,261
Reaction score
7,270
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Does it seem to run rich when warm?
 

rusty ol ranger

Im a Jeep guy now.
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
12,261
Reaction score
7,270
Points
113
Location
Michigan
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
177 CID
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
A legend to the old man, a hero to the child...
Rusty ol ranger, I don't think so. It's like something is telling it to idle up,. Going to ohm out intake temp sensor tomorrow hopefully! !!
Check your coolant temp sensor while your at it.

Not the single wired one going to the gauge, the 2 wired actual plug one that tells the ECM how hot/cold the engine is.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,694
Reaction score
13,149
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
I just fail to see how fuel level in the tank has an effect on engine RPM... but strange things happen.

When you unplug the IAC you say it goes to normal.. what RPM is that? The RPM should drop low... maybe to low to run and stall.

Nine times out of ten... when you get this high idle condition... you are bypassing air around the throttle plate (Vacuum Leak). I know you've checked it but I can't help but think something is being missed... maybe a small leak in the brake booster... intake manifold.... throttle body base. I would check it again... and check it when the high idle condition is present.
 

Fordstraydog

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
Check your coolant temp sensor while your at it.

Not the single wired one going to the gauge, the 2 wired actual plug one that tells the ECM how hot/cold the engine is.
The temp sensor that's below thottlebody was changed out recently . Had issue before and after.thanks for your input it helps
 

Fordstraydog

New Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2019
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
California
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford ranger
Transmission
Manual
I just fail to see how fuel level in the tank has an effect on engine RPM... but strange things happen.

When you unplug the IAC you say it goes to normal.. what RPM is that? The RPM should drop low... maybe to low to run and stall.

Nine times out of ten... when you get this high idle condition... you are bypassing air around the throttle plate (Vacuum Leak). I know you've checked it but I can't help but think something is being missed... maybe a small leak in the brake booster... intake manifold.... throttle body base. I would check it again... and check it when the high idle condition is present.
OK I'll go back and recheck that. When I say drops it goes from 1400 to 700or a little lower. Thanks keep helping I need it! !!!
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top