1994 Ranger 4x4 4.0L missing

[stevejm]

The engine starts fine and will only miss more as the engine warms. The check engine light doesn't come on, but at no certain RPM or anything every once in a while it will hit on all 6 cylinders. I checked the gaps on all the spark plugs and pulled the plug wires and I didn't really seem to get anywhere. The shop tried changing out the ignition coil and that didn't work either. I don't know what else to try? Any suggestions?

Steve

 

[Tbars4]

..maybe a vacuum leak...:scratch:

 

[SPORTEXP]

Try going into a very dark garage (well ventilated) at night allow 5 or 10 minutes for your eyes to adjust and run the motor. Look for the blue spark from a spark plug wire that is bad. You may need new wires.

 

[stevejm]

Thank you guys and I will try or I will suggest it to the mechanic. I did wonder about there being bad plug wires. They look new, but I guess that doesn't always mean anything. As for vacuum, I am at a loss, I am sure the mechanic will have an idea. Thanks again for at least something to try.

Steve

 

[Tbars4]

...oops, the vacuum comment was meant for another thread...i am curious though, the mechanic did suggest a coil pack leading me to believe he would have already checked the wires.....when was the last time you tuned up and serviced the ranger...:scratch:

 

[stevejm]

Actually I bought this truck just about 3 weeks ago. Looking at the spark plugs and the wires, it looks like they were replaced fairly recently.

Steve

 

[unclemeat]

I like the plugs and wires theory.

 

[Tbars4]

...i'm in for the whole tune-up....the best way you can learn about the vehicles condition in my opinion is, to start with the basics...plugs & wires, filters, and inspect and save everything that comes off...replace with new, should resolve some if not most problems that are due to lack of maintenance...

...usually when someone sells a vehicle the maintenance has been stopped for a while...now if you change the above items an have a problem, you could first pull the plugs and see what story they tell...your current plugs will also tell you lots of info if you tag them, such as, what cylinder(s) are having a miss...wires can be broke on the inside, at the boots, as well as the jacket on the outside..

 

[stevejm]

thank you

I am going to try to do the tune up thing! I appreciate the information and I will let you know how it comes out. Thanks again for the input.

Steve

 

[stevejm]

Well.....I got new plugs put in, but have not got new plug wires in as of yet. No improvement with just new plugs. I did change the motor oil and replace the oil filter. I also put in a new air filter. I have been trying to get a hold of the previous owner and either they are out of town or he is not calling back. I still think maybe he had already replaced the plugs and wires????? Also another question, I noticed (embarrassed to say not earlier before I bought it) that the picture for the serpentine belt installation that is on a sticker when you open the hood is for a 2.3L engine. Of course now my mind is wondering if they replaced the engine or could they have made a mistake when they put the sticker on. The guy I bought it from sure didn't say anything. Hopefully this isn't a lemon!!!!

Steve

 

[Tbars4]

...it sounds like they swapped in a 4.0 for the 2.3L for a more powerful engine and maybe a tranny swap also..

...if this is the case, the tranny, motor, computer, and wiring harness, have to be out of pretty much the same year model, with the same tranny/motor options...

...are you saying every so often that all 6 cyl. fire at the same time???

 

[stevejm]

I am not much of a mechanic, but it doesn't always have the power it should. As I am driving down the hiway, all of a sudden it will throw you back and you can tell it is hitting on all cylinders. It is just under-powered except every once in a while. Sometimes you have the power it should for a while and sometimes not. When you first start it it seems to be hitting on all cylinders, but again, not a mechanic here. It always fires right up. It is a standard transmission. I don't know what it would sound like if all 6 cyl. fired at the same time. I do know that if I drive around town and park it, I smell fuel. The guys nephew that I bought the truck from put on dual exhaust, I don't know if that does anything???? Does that shed any light on it for you??? I appreciate your suggestions and ideas for the novice mechanic!!!!! I am jealous of you truck as well!

Steve

 

[Tbars4]

...lol, i'm not much of a mechanic either and thanks for the compliment on the truck...

...firing on all 6 at one time would be disaster...but your new info might suggest a fuel problem...i am not sure but if your motor has a fuel pressure regulator (aka fpr), it may be going south...now the dual exhaust and size of pipe might be causing some trouble too, but i would bet if you have the fpr tested it is probably having problems...this is associated with the smelling of fuel...

...did your mechanic check for stored codes??? the fpr will not show up in the codes but maybe something else will...:scratch:

 

[stevejm]

He has the diagnostic tool and after the ignition coil didn't work, he said something about a mass air flow sensor??? When I went to pick it up he said that he ordered a longer cable for his diagnostic machine so that he can drive it and see what it is reading I guess. He showed me how short the cable was and told me he would call when he got it. He has yet to call. So....I don't know why he thought the mass air flow thing???, but now he wants to see what it is reading while going down the road when it starts hitting on all 6 cylinders I guess. I hope that makes sense. I was really hoping the guy I bought it from would call back. It sure would help answer some questions I have as to what he has done to the truck.

Steve

 

[Tbars4]

.....now that is a highly informational bit of information... it is now sounding better than it did from your first post......i am taking your mechanic is on the right track and a dirty maf can easily be cleaned usually......and give me a little bit and i will find some maf info...

 

[Tbars4]

...this site has a ton of info and is the best place to search if you have the info from your codes and your mechanic...

...this first link is maf info only...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=357593&postcount=1

...there are better links but here is one...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156916&highlight=clean+maf

...and here are some more...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/search.php?searchid=2644396

 

[stevejm]

thank you I appreciate that!

 

[Tbars4]

...you are very welcome...

 

[Tbars4]

...just found this posted...this is the pic of your engine bay...the green circle is your maf and the other circle is your throttle body...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1922743&postcount=1

 

[stevejm]

Well.... I tried cleaning the MAF and no luck. My father took it up to his place as he knows a mechanic up there that is a "Ford" guy as well. I just found out that his diagnostic equipment is telling him that it is a sensor in the exhaust or two. I guess there is two sensors there??? I hope that will be the the fix.

Now for another question... My cruise is not working and I was wondering where the fuse might be for just a quick check. The spedometer is bouncing and the mechanic said he thought that the cruise not working may be related to that??

tbars4...thank you for all your help so far! I am going to get there. I know it.

Steve