So just inherited a 1995 3.0 auto 4x4 Ranger from a friend
truck has 255k, motor has about 190k
it idles at around 500 rpm and stalls while idling
it stumbles and stalls and has no power up to about 30 having to feather the gas
then you can get on it with out it dieing out or missing
it reaks of raw gas when at idle
no c.e.l is on
plugs where changed last week before i got it maf is about a year old
where would be a good place to start as i am not one to throw parts at a rig and hope for the best

Not sure about the pure gas smell, but the idle issues and poor low end sound very much like an issue had with my ranger before I bought it and my dad owned it.. It would do basically the same thing, only it would occasionally throw a CEL, after digging into it for a day or two, I discovered multiple pinholes, and one the size of a pencil eraser, in the EGR tube coming off the manifold on the drivers side.. replaced the tube and EGR valve and problem solved.

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1995 Ranger
XLT Supercab
4.0L 4x4
Auto
L/S w/3.73 gears

Check EGR but check the IAC first. Usually attributed to the characteristic bad idle.

so played around with it this morning befor work
unplugged the maf ran a bit better but not much
noticed the cel was not illumined with sensor unplugged
Plugged in scan tool here is what i got
p0122,p0761,p01443,p0135,p0153,p1131,p1132,p0305
and p0101
granted the o sensors would be reading way off due to how rich it is running
evap is missing a cap off of charcoal canister could care less about that
and the trans code for the solenoid, i have yet to have a ford not throw that code
what would be the best starting point
also i know number 5 cyl threw a plug 3 months a go and was helicoiled
removing plug wire from 5 results in it running worse
and i know the com was not reset when repair was made

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also forgot i unplugged tps to test signal input

Wow...there's a lot going on there...

First off, that transmission solenoid code could very well indicate a blown spacer plate gasket in the valve body of the transmission. Might be worth a check; that's how I found mine. Otherwise, you can easily accelerate wear on your clutch packs.

I'd do a full tune up; plugs, wires, fuel filter, and ignition coil. TPS if going bad can cause havok with running issues. As for the evap, that is 99% chance due to the canister purge solenoid or flow sensor. It's near the front driver's side headlight. Any cracks in hoses going to it or the sensor valve itself will trigger that. It takes 5 minutes to change; I would do it. P0135 is heated O2 sensor problem. It means it's not heating up with the electric heater element built in to it. Replace the sensor. P0153 is Bank 2 sensor 1 bad performance, so that one may cure both codes if replaced. The others are misfire codes, resulting from the poor fuel conditions more than likely. The very last one is for the MAF, which I assume is from you unplugging it.

Not to argue, just want to say I've always had Fords and have never had 1 throw a tranny code.

so played with it more after work
figured id pull the maf clean it and clean the iac
pulled maf looked in the little hole and one of the filaments was missing
over half its coating
new maf and all drive-ability issues are gone
but i agree with you rangerlocal it needs a good tune up and
will replace that 02 sensor as well as check that spacer in the trans when i pull the pan for a filter change

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had 2 1993 ford Taurus that had it a 1992 f150 had it a 1993 f150
had it a 1988 town car that had it all since junked or derby ed off
and my f350 diesel will throw it every now and then
i just think i have super bad luck when it comes to ford transmission solenoids

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Beer the most important tool in the box

ive heard fords are bad about the solenoids, but I've owned several fords never had a code for it

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1996 f150 4x4 ext cab, Eddie Bauer edition, 5.8l auto, 3.55 gears and 31/10.5/15
My babe/DD-1995 2.3l 5speed 4x4, long bed, 4.10 open dif, "red rocket" 31/10.5/15s good years