QuestionQUESTION: I've got a 2001 Ranger with the 2.3 and automatic. One day when I started it, it began missing when the accelerator is pressed at relatively low RPM (2200 and lower) under any load. Now it even misses a little when you stomp on it idling in neutral. I have replaced the plugs and plug wires, changed the fuel filter and cleaned the sensors on the intake (which were pretty carboned up).
The truck has 97000 miles on it. I did find a vacuum line just dangling in the area of the cruise control. Couldn't find where it went. It had vacuum at idle, so I plugged it. Can't locate anything on the under hood diagram that shows where it would go. It comes out of the rear of the intake along with two other small lines. Before plugs, codes were 1537P and 0303. Now just 1537P.
Thanks
ANSWER: first thing i need you to do is spray the coil ( where the wires attach to ) with water and see if there is any change. these coils are notoreous for cracking. you should be able to the or hear the sparks arcing. please get back to me -b-
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QUESTION: I warmed it up a little, then sprayed the coil with water. really soaked it and nothing changed. Also sprayed the new wires and nothing changed then, either.
I don't know if it will help, but a more complete description of the miss is that it occurs intermittently while idling a cool engine, when you goose it at idle, and on the road when you press on the accelerator more than just a tiny bit. Going up a hill, I have to shift out of overdrive and then finally downshift.
Hope this helps.
Ed
ANSWER: try this, where the air filter is, you should see an electrical connector inline to the hose going to the engine, disconnect it ( its your air flow meter ). see if there is a change
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QUESTION: I disconnected the air flow sensor while the engine was running and there was a hesitation, but then it sped up and ran just like it had. The miss is getting more steady and the exhaust smells like an older car with the choke stuck. I ran some errands yesterday and the catalytic converter got real hot.
Thanks for the help.
Ed
Answercurious about this vacuum line you foud disconnected. find your fuel rail. in the rail there is a fuel pressure regulator. be sure the vacuum line is connected.. other option is to actually disconnect the exhaust from the manifold and see how it runs yes it will get loud but it is possible the converter is just plugged and will cause similiar concerns
