93 Ranger running very, very rough!

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sparky - 20 Feb 2008 00:36 GMT

My 4WD just started running poorly. It runs fine at high rpm but
coughs,sputters and jerks until the rpm comes up. When it is failing
the check engine light flashes but as the rpm comes up this goes
away. I do not know if it will fail again so I thought I would ask
what woul you start with in troubleshooting? O2 sensor?

Help before the snow starts again! THX !

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Jeff Strickland - 20 Feb 2008 03:02 GMT

I would start by pulling codes.

Your truck is OBD I (on board diagnostics, level 1), and you can buy a code
reader specifically for your Ford truck for about $35. It will tell you
precisely what is wrong.

I'd pull all of the codes, jot them down, and reset them. Then, when the
problem repeats, pull the codes again and start your repairs by going after
any code that is on both of the lists.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY BY WORKING ON STUFF THAT IS NOT CAUSING A
CODE.

> My 4WD just started running poorly. It runs fine at high rpm but
> coughs,sputters and jerks until the rpm comes up. When it is failing
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Help before the snow starts again! THX !

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sparky - 20 Feb 2008 14:41 GMT

Thx Jeff,

I 'll be back....

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Jeff Strickland - 20 Feb 2008 15:14 GMT

Some OBD I vehicles can display the stored codes by turning the ignition on
and off 5 times in succession within 5 seconds, and holding your tongue
against the left side of your mouth, and counting the flash sequence of the
Check light. I don't know if Ford uses this convention or not, but the
reader is far easier to use and only costs $35.

Buy your code reader at one of the major chains so you can take advantage of
their volume buying. The reader I had (I sold the truck that it fits), was
made by ACTRON. It came with a manual that described each of the codes.

> Thx Jeff,
>
> I 'll be back....

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CJB - 20 Feb 2008 20:39 GMT

> Some OBD I vehicles can display the stored codes by turning the ignition
> on and off 5 times in succession within 5 seconds, and holding your tongue
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> was made by ACTRON. It came with a manual that described each of the
> codes.

Yeah. The last EEC-IV (OBD I) Ford code reader I bought came from WalMart
and was 20 bucks. You might actually find them on the clearance shelf at
this point.

CJB

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Whitelightning - 20 Feb 2008 20:40 GMT

> Some OBD I vehicles can display the stored codes by turning the ignition
> on and off 5 times in succession within 5 seconds, and holding your tongue
> against the left side of your mouth, and counting the flash sequence of
> the

That was Chrysler products, and it was three times. GM you could use a
paper clip
connect two conectors on the OBD plug under the dash, and Ford you could use
an analog,
as in with a needle, multimeter and connect the leads to two connectors on
the OBD plug
under the hood and then count the sweeps.

Whitelightning

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