engine stays at high revs when shifting / not in gear

CSMonte · #1 06-03-2010, 07:51 AM

I have a 1998 Ford Ranger V-6 and since I've had it the engine likes to stay at 2,000 - 2,500 RPM when out taken out of gear while acceleration for a little before dropping down to idle. I thought this might be the idler motor, so I replaced it but it is still doing it and has been since. Any ideas on why it does this? or what I need to do to fix it?

CUTiger · #2 06-13-2010, 02:40 PM

Sounds normal to me, every engines different with how long it likes to hang at the higher rpms though. As long as it doesn't increase in rpms while in neutral and it ain't something that just recently started you're fine. For example a friend of mine just got a brand new nissan, and it hangs at high rpms for what seems like forever when you shift, whereas the tractor I drive at work drops off a clifff when you hit the clutch.

Are you waiting for hte rpms to get back down to idles before shifting to the next gear? If so, try shifting faster and while the rpms are still in the 2000-2500 range, might make things a little smoother since this is closer to where the engine likes to be.

CSMonte · #3 06-14-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUTiger

Are you waiting for hte rpms to get back down to idles before shifting to the next gear? If so, try shifting faster and while the rpms are still in the 2000-2500 range, might make things a little smoother since this is closer to where the engine likes to be.

No I don't wait for the RPM's to drop when I'm driving it, I just shift so I don't notice that its at high rev's till I put it in neutral and coast to a stop or something. All my other cars I have had and driven that are manuals just drop off right when you hit the clutch so I'm just not use to something that stays at high rev's.

FireRanger · #4 06-14-2010, 07:54 AM

There is nothing electronic about the throttle on our trucks. Its a cable from the pedal to the throttle plate. When you let your foot off the pedal, the throttle plate closes immediately; there is no delay and no method for the engine to decide to keep it open a little longer. I suggest cleaning the throttle body and give all the linkage a good inspection. If something is sticking, you should fix that before you plow into a bus.

CUTiger · #5 06-14-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

There is nothing electronic about the throttle on our trucks. Its a cable from the pedal to the throttle plate. When you let your foot off the pedal, the throttle plate closes immediately; there is no delay and no method for the engine to decide to keep it open a little longer. I suggest cleaning the throttle body and give all the linkage a good inspection. If something is sticking, you should fix that before you plow into a bus.

ummm what about the IAC valve? Its electronic and it opens a bypass to the throttle body, its my understanding that it could do this between shifts holding the rpms a little high for a short amount of time. Granted if this time is too short the IAC valve could be sticking.

Quote:

The IAC Module is used to adjust the engine idle RPM speed. The IAC Module opens or closes an air bypass valve (vaccume line) inside the throttle body. It is used to allow the engine to run at idle without stalling due to lack of air when the throttle body is closed (zero throttle input). When the throttle is lifted between a shift the ECU tries to adjust the IAC based on the information it is being provided from several different sensors. If ECU is told about a high RPM situation and a low or zero throttle input it tries to maintain the high RPM (even with zero throttle input) by fully opening the IAC Module to let in as much air as possible. If the IAC were to not open the engine would be nearly starved of air and the RPM would drop very quickly. The consensus is that this engineering solution helps to provide smoother and softer shifting on the up shift.

FireRanger · #6 06-14-2010, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUTiger

ummm what about the IAC valve? Its electronic and it opens a bypass to the throttle body, its my understanding that it could do this between shifts holding the rpms a little high for a short amount of time. Granted if this time is too short the IAC valve could be sticking.

You're correct. I'm talking about the actual throttle. Not the idle air controller. You said you replaced it.

My suggestion remains, clean the throttle body. And clean the MAF as well.

CUTiger · #7 06-15-2010, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

You said you replaced it.

missed that part....

2011GT · #8 05-22-2011, 08:55 PM

Did you ever get this fixed? I have the same problem. If you disconnect the speed sensor it runs fine minus the fact you have no speedometer.

TerrenceStuart · #9 05-22-2011, 09:41 PM

^ good luck getting a reply since he hasn't been to the forum in 4 months

austinranger85 · #10 03-06-2013, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011GT

Did you ever get this fixed? I have the same problem. If you disconnect the speed sensor it runs fine minus the fact you have no speedometer.

I know this is a long shot since this thread is so old but which speed sensor did you unplug? Where is it located. I would like to try this and see if this is the issue I am having with my high/constant rpm while shifting and slowing down to a stop.

Prages · #11 03-06-2013, 09:48 AM

The speed sensor is on the rear differential.

austinranger85 · #12 03-06-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prages

The speed sensor is on the rear differential.

Cool, thanks.

RobElcombe · #13 03-23-2013, 07:10 PM

I have the same problem on my 2012 3.2l manual Ranger. Going around a round-a-bout in the wet the rear end slid out under acceleration, no problem normally just let off the accelerater and all is good, except when the revs stick for a short period of time, the back stays out.

Thankfully I was able to ride the slide but if soebody was to hit the brakes now that would be a differnt story.

Is there a solution to this? Thank God I was driving and not my wife.

kisportolt · #14 03-25-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CUTiger

As long as it doesn't increase in rpms while in neutral and it ain't something that just recently started you're fine.

I've noticed that my truck feels like it's keeping s high rev, and if I shift it into neutral the rpms will increase for a couple seconds before calming down. any idea what's causing it, and is it a serious issue?

jarrod27 · #15 04-07-2013, 12:34 PM

Are you saying that your RPMs stay high or wont drop down immediately when you take it out of gear untill you put it into the next gear? My snap on solus says that you to have the latest update installed into your ECM. Find a shop or dealer that can update your ecm and it should take care of it.