I have a 2003 ranger with 2.3. I drive it daily but it has started to sputter and jerk. The truck has 94000 on it and I bought it new. It sat for over a year but has been driven every day for the last year. It started a couple months ago but would just do it for a second, now I cant drive it on the highway. I think it might be injectors but how do I know for sure?

 

Have you changed the fuel and air filters?

 

Fuel pressure test?

 

^ + 1 & Scan the computer for pending, or set trouble codes & post up All code Numbers as they can offer up good trouble shooting clues.

As has been asked, is the vehicle up to date on All past & present due scheduled maintenance replacement items????

When the vehicle sat for a year, did you have a good fuel stabilizer in a full tank of fuel & run the engine long enough for it to be distributed through out the fuel delivery system???? If not, maybe consider a 20oz dose of Chevron Techron Concentrate Plus in the tank at the pump before filling so you get good mixing & fill with Chevron, Texaco, CalTex, or now Shell, all of which already have some PEA in their fuel ad pack, so it'll raise the treat rate 10X above pump gas alone & should tidy things up in one tank, if deposits are the culprit.

If no set, or pending code clues found, or no joy with the Techron, maybe consider having a listen to each injector & cylinder with a stethscope, to see if you can hear some untoward noise thats in time with the miss.

With the mileage on this puppy, have you serviced the plugs spark gap, or with the vehicle at idle, looked for signs of electrical break down at night/arcs & sparks light show, while spritzing each plug wire & coilpack with a spray bottle of water???
Have you pulled the plugs to check spark gap???? With 90K they're likely out of spec for gap.

Don't know how/where/under what condition it sat for a year, but critters like to build nests in places like the air intake tube, all the way to the filter air box. They also like to chew on under hood things like wires, so check the injector & plug wires insulation & to make sure all are plugged in & in good condition.

More trouble shooting thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks for the info. I changed the fuel pump and sending unit about a year ago. The air box Is clean and the filter is new. I will check the spark plugs this weekend. The problem is after it chugs and sputters, it will pull out of it and run fine. All maint. is current.

 

OK, good feedback. Seeing as how it stumbles when you go at throttle up, also have a look at the TPS resistance change as you open the throttle & fuel pressure at the under hood fuel rail schrader valve test port, with your fuel pressure gauge connected there. Let us know what you find.

 

Well I have more info the ranger. I didn't get a chance to work on it yet but, I pulled it in the garage and noticed that the exhaust pipe was cherry red right where it goes in the catalytic converter. The truck had only been running less than 4 min. could it just be a bad converter?

 

Well maybe, if your cold engine start up air to fuel ratio it corrupt rich, it could be having the cat converter run hot. If the cat converter has been running hot & it has melted the ceramic matrix inside down & is clogged such that exhaust fow is restricted, it'll run hot, the converter will glow red & high rpm engine power output will be wimpy. Sorta like you've described it sputtering, jerking & not being able to drive it on the road, so those clues sorta fit together, so with the limited info we currently have, a clogged cat converter, or corrupt air/fuel ratio belong on your suspect list.

Do you have a lit CEL???? If so, get the computer scanned for trouble codes as has been suggested & post up All code Numbers, as you may have more than one problem & those codes could provide you with good trouble shooting clues.

Look in the Vacuum gauge tutorial thread for a link to the scenario on how to use your vacuum gauge to perform the clogged exhaust test.

If you have a scantool that'll display live PID feeds, have a look at the O2 sensor voltage switching range & speed the voltage changes & fuel trim & see if its corrupt & what trouble codes, set or pending, that may be stored.

Use your fuel pressure gauge to measure fuel pressure to make sure its in spec & post up the numbers. More thoughts for consideration, let us how how your trouble shoot goes.

 

I'd suspect a sticking injector loading up the converter with excessive fuel. A pressure test will rule that out if it holds pressure.
It would not hurt to take a look at the MAF as it may not 'know' how much air is actually being ingested. If you unplug it, you'll throw a code, but it will use 'generic / ball park values'{imputed or computed} that may not be as off as a defective or dirty one.
The on again / off again feature might be water in the fuel tank.
tom

 

Thanks for all the info. I seem to have a problem with trying to scan for codes. I took the truck to auto zone and orielys and at both places my truck would not communicate with there scanners, now what do I do. Like I have said before it only takes 3min at 2000rpm to make exhaust cherry red before the converter. help help help help!!!!!!!!!!

 

If you cannot communicate with the computer, go to a boneyard or pick a part place and get a comparable unit. The computer provides ground to the injectors, so if one of the driver transistors shorts, it will ground the injector and spritz fuel as long as the ignition is on. One doing that ... or several... might be able to provide enough raw fuel to run the engine and have enough left over to cherry the converters.
tom

 

Check the cigar lighter fuse, if its blown, the dlc plug won't have B+ to it to power the scantool, so it won't be able to communicate with the computer.

 

my ranger is idleing a little rough not to bad I think I should just change my spark plugs and wires that should do it or maybe clean my points off its a 1990 2.9 its like barley missing