Wierd Problem
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Wierd Problem
I have a 99 Ford ranger 4WD 5spd ext. cab with the 3.0 in it. It recently started acting very strange. The truck will "hop" under acceleration, and when i lug the motor. It feels like an engine miss, however it does not idle rough, or seem to me missing. The truck starts jerking when i am accelerating, almost like the engine is cutting out. The closest example i can use to describe it is when an automatic tranny slips, however my pick up is manual. I have been having trouble with my 4WD, and i think it may be related. I have no idea whats going on. Any ideas?
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From: St. Peter
If you have been having problems with your 4x4, I would suspect a transfer case shift motor problem. Try shifting it in and out of 4x4 a few times. It is possible that your T-Case is not fully engaged. I have seen this be mis-diagnosed as a bad clutch. A guy I know at work was telling me about how his ranger (94 is) had the clutch go out, but he had a new clutch put in 10k ago. He said as he was driving it just started making a bunch of clunking noises, and then nothing. So he took it to a shop, they put it in gear, sure enough, wouldnt move, pulled tranny, replaced clutch, and nothing. They wound up replacing the whole T-Case. I believe the problem was caused by the T-Case motor, not the actual T-Case.
That is the first place I would start.
Also remember, if your T-Case is in neutral, its the same as having your transmission in neutral. so dont let it roll away on you!
That is the first place I would start.
Also remember, if your T-Case is in neutral, its the same as having your transmission in neutral. so dont let it roll away on you!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
Run 2 bottles of heet and 2 bottles of iso heet, Don't add fuel, just add it to whatever is in there3/4 1/2 1/4 tank it doesn't matter. Run it until it is almost empty then refill
with fresh fuel and two bottles of Iso heet. $7.00 of dedicated gas line dryer will fix running problems that run the gamut of symptoms of all kinds of failing sensors, If there is no cel or codes run gas line dryer first before wasting time and money diagnosing phantom failing sensors!!
with fresh fuel and two bottles of Iso heet. $7.00 of dedicated gas line dryer will fix running problems that run the gamut of symptoms of all kinds of failing sensors, If there is no cel or codes run gas line dryer first before wasting time and money diagnosing phantom failing sensors!!
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Well with it "hopping/missing" but only under load, or accelerating, I might suspect a spark plug, or maybe excessive plug gap problem.
With excessive gap, the spark can blow out with the engine under load & this will cause the engine to "stumble".
So when last, were the plugs replaced, or regapped???? My OEM plugs were .008 over spec at 50K & I had set them when new, to the min side of spec, so no way would they have made it to 100K & been anywhere near in spec for spark gap.
Do you have a CEL on???? If so, you might drop by your favorite auto parts store, for a no cost computer trouble code scan & see if any set, or pending misfire codes are stored, then go to that cylinder & check the ignition wire & plug out.
If that doesn't pan out, if you have the two piece drive shaft, maybe the splines are binding under acceleration/load & popping loose, causing a lurch & need a re-lube per fords TSB.
Just some additional thoughts for pondering.
Let us know what you find.
With excessive gap, the spark can blow out with the engine under load & this will cause the engine to "stumble".
So when last, were the plugs replaced, or regapped???? My OEM plugs were .008 over spec at 50K & I had set them when new, to the min side of spec, so no way would they have made it to 100K & been anywhere near in spec for spark gap.
Do you have a CEL on???? If so, you might drop by your favorite auto parts store, for a no cost computer trouble code scan & see if any set, or pending misfire codes are stored, then go to that cylinder & check the ignition wire & plug out.
If that doesn't pan out, if you have the two piece drive shaft, maybe the splines are binding under acceleration/load & popping loose, causing a lurch & need a re-lube per fords TSB.
Just some additional thoughts for pondering.
Let us know what you find.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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My 99 did the same thing. After spending over 1400 dollars and going to three ford dealers, WE found water in the gas tank. I don't use those dealers anymore. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Posting Guru
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
Tell em timca!! Most mechanics would rather replace sensors and have people come back over and over again, Even if the customer loses faith in that mechanic he will go down the road to another mechanic who will chase the problem, Adding up those hours and needless parts replacements!! $7.00 for 6 bottles of dedicated gas line dryer WILL fix running problems that don't throw codes!! You can probably get away with less but it's cheap. Running a bottle every oil change is good preventative maintenence.
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From: St. Peter
The actual biggest problem is that a mechanics paycheck is based on how many dollars worth of work they do. If you pay them 80$ for engine diagnostics, and they spend 3 hours on it, to find its a 7 dollar part, and they make 87 dollars in 3 hours, its not good for their paycheck, and the business doesnt make money (which is sadly the most important part).
Trust me, a mechanic would rather replace 1 sensor, outrageously priced (like 2-3 times what a parts store would charge) labor, and never see you again (for the same problem anyway).
Exactly what did ford replace for 1400$ Timca?
Trust me, a mechanic would rather replace 1 sensor, outrageously priced (like 2-3 times what a parts store would charge) labor, and never see you again (for the same problem anyway).
Exactly what did ford replace for 1400$ Timca?
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Originally Posted by Aquaman78F100
hey guys, turns out it was two bad plug wires that were causing a random misfire. Thanks for the ideas everyone
Thanks for closing this thread out.
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