My Ranger has been sitting for a while due to personal issues that I would rather not go into. Now it's time to get her back on the road.

So far I have changed:

spark plugs
spark plug wires
fuel filter
thermostat
radiator
MAF sensor

It starts up after around two or three seconds of cranking and runs for about a minute then dies. After I start it again it runs fine. I am assuming it's going to take awhile of running before it settles in and works good again. I am also assuming that issues are going to pop up along the way since it has been sitting for so long.

Anyone know why it dies after starting for the first time?

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

bad gas, fuel pump on its way out

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

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I drained out all of the old gas when I changed out the fuel filter. Put in new gas with fuel injector cleaner.

Hopefully it isn't the fuel pump.....I really don't want to mess with that one unless necessary.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

Idle air control valve, maf sensor or a gummed up intake

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2001 Ford Ranger Supercab (4dr), Oxford White, 4.0 Sohc, 4x4, Manual trans (hurst equipped), 4:10's, 3" body lift.

I already replaced the MAF sensor.

By intake are you talking about the air intake hose? If so, it's clean.

I am hoping after I get it on the road and running daily some of these issues will work themselves out.....or not.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

My truck is back on the road and running reasonably well considering.

One problem I am having is that when the engine warms up and I come to a stop the engine stalls. It cranks right back up, but the next time I stop it stalls again.

Could this be the idle air control valve? I have already changed the MAF sensor.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

yea after that many miles and sitting, be sure to clean the IAC, and let it dry completely before reinstalling it.

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http://treadlightly.org/quick-tips-f...four-wheeling/

I have read some threads indicating that cleaning the IAC is not necessarily a good idea. Can it screw it up and make it non-functional?

In the meantime I purchased some throttle body cleaner and cleaned the throttle body and plate. It was pretty gunky looking so it couldn't hurt.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

OK. Cleaned the throttle body and the IAC valve.

Engine still stalls occasionally but it's getting better. Odd thing, the engine actually runs smoother with the MAF disconnected. I know this doesn't make sense, but it's true.

The gas needle was stuck above full for several days but I noticed today that it is starting to work. It's still a little sluggish but I am assuming that a lot of gunk was built up from the old gas and is taking time to dissolve.

I finally found my trusty Haynes manual so I am going to systematically start checking all of my sensors, vacuum system, etc. to see if I can remedy the occasional stalls. I have only driven 100 miles so far so I am hoping that as the injectors get cleaned out and everything gets used to running again things will start to smooth out.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

I took my truck to see I could get it inspected this morning and they couldn't inspect it because the CEL doesn't come on when you turn on the ignition key. I was wondering why it wasn't coming on after driving for a while......I thought maybe everything somehow was OK, but I guess not.

I assume the bulb is just burned out. There are some other bulbs burned out in my instrument panel so this is a good reason to go ahead and replace them.

Is there any other reason the CEL won't come on besides a burned out bulb??

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

Turns out the CEL bulb was burned out. I replaced it along with all of the instrument panel bulbs.

Now the check engine light burns and unfortunately I have 5 codes and one pending...crap.

Does seem like most of the codes are related to the MAF. I am going to exchange the sensor I installed the other day for a new one, reset the codes and hope for the best.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles

sounds like your headed in the right direction. good luck.

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98 XLT Reg. Cab stepside. green. 120,XXX miles. 3.0L V6. Lazy man's tranny. 2.5" straight pipe out in front of tire. Throttle body spacer. Pioneer 6300 HU, Memphis 500 Watt amp pushing 1 Memphis 10" PR woofer.

Thank you.....I think I am going to need some luck....and a fair amount of cash or should I say MORE cash.

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1998 Ranger 4x2 Sport package
3.0L Six cylinder w/5 speed manual transmission
317,000 miles