1990 Ford Ranger surging problem

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? - 25 Aug 2005 03:25 GMT

I own a 1990 Ford Ranger with a 2.9L engine. Upon a cold start the engine
will not idle up properly. It surges and takes a while to warm up. If I
drive before it is completely warmed up, it continues to surge until it does
warm up. Once it is warmed up it runs great. Timing is right on. Recently
checked the plugs, wires, and timing. Has anyone else encountered a problem
like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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David M - 25 Aug 2005 03:32 GMT

> I own a 1990 Ford Ranger with a 2.9L engine. Upon a cold start the engine
> will not idle up properly. It surges and takes a while to warm up. If I
> drive before it is completely warmed up, it continues to surge until it does
> warm up. Once it is warmed up it runs great. Timing is right on. Recently
> checked the plugs, wires, and timing. Has anyone else encountered a problem
> like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have you checked it for any codes? Autozone will scan it for free,
or you can do it yourself with a meter or a 12V test light.

Maybe the coolant temp. sensor is bad.

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http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
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? - 25 Aug 2005 03:39 GMT

I have not checked it for any codes yet. I will check the coolant temp
sensor. Would the coolant temp still show properly if the coolant temp
sensor is bad. I replaced it about a year ago, it was causing the temp guage
to show the wrong temp. Could it also be a problem with the TPS? I had a
friend tell me he had a similar problem with his TPS. I am going to check
with the mulitmeter tomorrow.

>> I own a 1990 Ford Ranger with a 2.9L engine. Upon a cold start the engine
>> will not idle up properly. It surges and takes a while to warm up. If I
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Maybe the coolant temp. sensor is bad.

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JimV - 25 Aug 2005 04:21 GMT

> I have not checked it for any codes yet. I will check the coolant temp
> sensor. Would the coolant temp still show properly if the coolant temp
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>>
>>Maybe the coolant temp. sensor is bad.

I don't think Autozone will scan an old EECIV system. Is the CEL on? The
EEC temp sensor and the temp gauge sender are different. I too would
guess temp sensor first, but it could be a number of things.

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? - 25 Aug 2005 04:43 GMT

I had to go to a mechanic to get it scanned last time I needed to. Cool,
looked up the difference between the temp sensor and temp guage sender. I
will check the temp sensor tomorrow also. What is the CEL?

>> I have not checked it for any codes yet. I will check the coolant temp
>> sensor. Would the coolant temp still show properly if the coolant temp
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> EEC temp sensor and the temp gauge sender are different. I too would guess
> temp sensor first, but it could be a number of things.

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David M - 25 Aug 2005 11:13 GMT

> I had to go to a mechanic to get it scanned last time I needed to. Cool,
> looked up the difference between the temp sensor and temp guage sender. I
> will check the temp sensor tomorrow also. What is the CEL?

check engine lamp

>>> I have not checked it for any codes yet. I will check the coolant temp
>>> sensor. Would the coolant temp still show properly if the coolant temp
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>> EEC temp sensor and the temp gauge sender are different. I too would guess
>> temp sensor first, but it could be a number of things.

Since it's OBD-I you can scan it yourself with a meter.

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David M (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
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LOOK2X - 26 Aug 2005 06:23 GMT

Idle air control valve most of the time. It is mounted on the intake, 2
bolts and a gasket. Easy change most of the time.

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>I own a 1990 Ford Ranger with a 2.9L engine. Upon a cold start the engine
>will not idle up properly. It surges and takes a while to warm up. If I
>drive before it is completely warmed up, it continues to surge until it
>does warm up. Once it is warmed up it runs great. Timing is right on.
>Recently checked the plugs, wires, and timing. Has anyone else encountered
>a problem like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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? - 27 Aug 2005 21:53 GMT

Turns out the intake air temperature sensor and the idle air control sensor
were bad. Easy fix, but cost me around $70 for parts. Both of these sensors
looked like they had come with the truck. Idles up great and purrs like a
kitten now. Not bad for the old ranger with 127K miles. Thanks for
everybody's help.

> Idle air control valve most of the time. It is mounted on the intake, 2
> bolts and a gasket. Easy change most of the time.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>>Recently checked the plugs, wires, and timing. Has anyone else encountered
>>a problem like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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fcforst@bellsouth.net - 01 Sep 2005 02:10 GMT

It sounds like a problem similar to one I had on my 1987 2.9L Ranger.
Everyone said it was probably a sensor or bad fuel injectors - the computers
seldom go bad. After spending a couple of hundred dollars on sensors,
including a complete distributor with module, I installed a computer from a
1988 2.9L Bronco II.

It fixed the problem, although I need to buy the right computer for the
vehicle.

>I own a 1990 Ford Ranger with a 2.9L engine. Upon a cold start the engine
>will not idle up properly. It surges and takes a while to warm up. If I
>drive before it is completely warmed up, it continues to surge until it
>does warm up. Once it is warmed up it runs great. Timing is right on.
>Recently checked the plugs, wires, and timing. Has anyone else encountered
>a problem like this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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