I've always liked to go out and start my vehicles a few minutes before I leave to go anywhere. Winter or summer, to let them warm up, right?

This morning I went out started the truck, pulled it out of the garage and left it to warm up. Came back out to set my books in a few minutes later, it wasn’t running. Key was on, truck wasn’t. So I started it up, finished getting ready for the day. Came out, off again.

My truck has never done this before. I thought someone in my family was screwing with me.

I started it back up, and sat there this time. Sure enough, it did it again. Whenever the ac compressor kicks in, the truck idles down quickly, and then shuts off. Fires right back up! Compressor kicks on, truck shuts off. Leave the ac off, idles like a champ. But as soon as you turn ac on it shuts off.

Local mechanic says it sounds like the intake gasket has got a hole in it, and its sucking to much air. Causing it to choke out.

Does anyone have any opinions, comments, suggestions?

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Its a 02 Ranger XLT, 4.0, Flowmaster No Cats, 16" AR Torque Thrust Wrapped In Michelins, 07 Tail Lights and Seats, Headlight Mod, Edge Valance, FX4 Bumper, Powerdome, Buggman Leds front to back, 2 MTX 10's, 1000 Watt Amp, Aux Cord Mod, 15% Tinted Windows, Painted/Chrome Grille, Retrax Sliding Bed Cover, and a Ranger emblem on the tailgate.

Does it still idle good at normal operating temp? Sitting in traffic? How is acceleration?
If all this is normal I would say no on an intake leak.
I would say sit in the truck and kick the ac on and watch the volt meter. Also try drivingvthectruck and kick the ac on while at a nice cruising speed and see what happens. I'm thinking it's electrical. It has a strong draw and the electrical system can't compensate quick enough and it dies.

2001 ranger xlt southern comfort package 2.3/5spd Sent from my GuyPhone

It mostly does it before it has warmed up. Yet it has happened after its reached operating temp. All times it has happened it has been in park, or neutral. It won’t do it in gear, or driving down the road. My power is still there, it runs like a top beside the fact it shuts off.. I haven’t seen a voltage drop, just a drastic drop in rpm.
Ideas?

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Its a 02 Ranger XLT, 4.0, Flowmaster No Cats, 16" AR Torque Thrust Wrapped In Michelins, 07 Tail Lights and Seats, Headlight Mod, Edge Valance, FX4 Bumper, Powerdome, Buggman Leds front to back, 2 MTX 10's, 1000 Watt Amp, Aux Cord Mod, 15% Tinted Windows, Painted/Chrome Grille, Retrax Sliding Bed Cover, and a Ranger emblem on the tailgate.

Here's some things to do (I recommend going in this order best way economically speaking)
1. Get wd-40 and spray around under hood make sure there are no vacuum leaks
2. Check to see if throttle body is dirty
My g/f trailblazer would shutoff at lights with ac on cleaned throttle body no more problems.
3. PVC valve Egr valve and idle air control could be dirty or faulty. I'm thinking it may be one of these not adjusting quick enough to get Rpms back up.
4. Get alternator battery and voltage regulator checked.

2001 ranger xlt southern comfort package 2.3/5spd Sent from my GuyPhone

My dad said he thought it was the air idle control as well. But i'll have to try this stuff out. Thank you for the help!

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Its a 02 Ranger XLT, 4.0, Flowmaster No Cats, 16" AR Torque Thrust Wrapped In Michelins, 07 Tail Lights and Seats, Headlight Mod, Edge Valance, FX4 Bumper, Powerdome, Buggman Leds front to back, 2 MTX 10's, 1000 Watt Amp, Aux Cord Mod, 15% Tinted Windows, Painted/Chrome Grille, Retrax Sliding Bed Cover, and a Ranger emblem on the tailgate.

Ok just keep me posted and we will go from there

2001 ranger xlt southern comfort package 2.3/5spd Sent from my GuyPhone

I would say it's a vacuum leak or your idle needs to be adjusted.

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2001 Ford Ranger with the flare sides. 4x4 with a 4.0 engine. The only thing I did so far is: F/R Brakes, rotors, drums, F/R shocks, tires, bed cap, cone filter, hanger/shackles, F/P wheel bearing, upper control arm, lower ball joint, filler neck, fuel filter and DPFE sensor, muffler, sway bar links and spark plugs!