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Hi everyone, I have a 1990 Ford Ranger with the 2.3. It'll crank and run until I put it in reverse or drive. I've been told it could be a few different things. The throttle positioning sensor, the IAC motor, the torque converter clutch stuck open, etc... If you can please give me any advice, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
The folks with knowledge about things like this don't usually frequent the "New Member Introductions" forum. You'll probably want to start a thread in the "Ranger & B-Series" forum to get some answers flowing.
Sounds like you've done some good homework on the net trouble shooting the problem & all the suggestions are sound ones & right now I sorta like the torque converter lock up being stuck on, idea, as that would sorta be like coming to a stop with a manual tranny in gear & not pushing the clutch pedal in.
Did the stall in gear problem come about suddenly after some event, or slowly over time?.
On the IAC question, If you have AC & turn it on with the engine at idle & the tranny in "N" & if you also have power steering & load the engine by turning the steering wheel a little left & right & the engine doesn't stall, or the rpm drop really low, the IAC is likely working ok, so move it lower down on your suspect list.
On the TPS & other questions, scan the computer for trouble code clues & post All code Numbers, as they can help focus a trouble shoot & if you have a trouble code for the TPS you could remove its electrical connector & perform a resistance check using a Analog multimeter, paying close attention to the resistance reading for drop outs at the closed throttle position, as that's where it rests & most wear takes place when at idle speed.
If you have, can borrow, or come by at least a code reader, or better yet a scan tool that can plug into your under hood OBD-1 DLC, like a Actron CP9145 with the OBD-1 diagnostics adapter cable, or the like, do that & have them scan the computer for trouble code clues & post up All code Numbers. A good scan tool can read the TPS while its working, so can quickly make some tests & trouble shooting go faster by not having to disconnect anything & be more accurate.
If you don't have access to a code reader or scan tool, have a look here for test set up's you can rig to extract stored trouble codes on your vehicle OBD-1 diagnostics system.https://www.troublecodes.net/ford/
Also if you like turning your own wrenches, you might find this sites info about the Ford OBD-1 system of use too. EDIT URL: Fuel Injection Technical Library » Home
A bunch of beginning thoughts for consideration, let us know what you find.
