Hey guys, I'm new to this so if my post is in the wrong place I'm sorry. I have a 1997 2.3 l 5 speed manual ranger. About a month ago it started to not start the first try occasionally it would start up like it was going to and then just died as if I had let go of the key too soon second try no problem fire right up. Then about 2 weeks ago I had accidentally killed the battery so I let it roll backwards and drop the clutch. I wasn't rolling fast enough and it kind of just grabbed and jerked to a stop. Ever since then it will not stay running. It starts up and idles extremely rough barely running and dies. Or it will start up and just die right away. The only way I can keep it running is if I had my foot to the floor Full Throttle. When I have the gas pinned it will rev up and fall back down and rev up and fall back down. Sounds horrible to. But as soon as I let off of the gas it stumbles really hard then dies . Here's a list of things I have gone over so far in the attempt to fix.
I have replace the spark plugs and wires. I have cleaned the PCV elbow it was dirty but not stuck. I have checked my mass airflow 4 blockage I can't tell if the sensor is bad or not but I have cleaned it and it appears to be fine but that's only looks. I have replaced the throttle positioning sensor. I have replaced the vacuum hoses for the whole ride. I have checked the inertia switch under the dash passenger side. And I can hear my fuel pump Prime when I turn the ignition. I have checked fuses I have taken off my entire throttle body clean it checked for blockage. Now I'm just stumped. I'm thinking the only things I have left are my catalyst converter and I'm wondering if a throttle positioning sensor can cause this. Any thoughts or input would be much appreciated thank you for taking the time to read it


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1997 ford ranger
2.3l motor just over 200k
Manual transmission
No major upgrades pretty much stock other than audio equipment. Complete and extreme competition sound system.

It sounds like you checked/replaced everything but the timing belt.

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Except the crank shaft senor and the truck itself haha. Can a crank shaft sensor cause this.

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1997 ford ranger
2.3l motor just over 200k
Manual transmission
No major upgrades pretty much stock other than audio equipment. Complete and extreme competition sound system.

If there's no crankshaft position sensor input, the computer won't know when to spark the plugs. If it fires, you likely have a sensor outputting something. Have you checked for spark by pulling a plug wire and using a screwdriver or another plug poked into the plug wire connector?
There is a caution in the Ford doc about belt replacement and NOT turning the crankshaft in the opposite direction. I'd check belt timing before doing more.
tom

I actually have not checked for spark. I assumed because the engine would rev up while I help gas down that it would be sparking normally but I will check that today. End of timing belt was actually done buy a mechanic last year is it possible for it to slip out of timing?

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1997 ford ranger
2.3l motor just over 200k
Manual transmission
No major upgrades pretty much stock other than audio equipment. Complete and extreme competition sound system.

Stranger things have happened. It would take 5 minutes to check the cam timing vs the crankshaft position and you'd know. I do think rotating it backwards will allow slippage more than normal rotation because of the tensioner position on the belt track.
Everything changed after popping the clutch in reverse, right? That would have given a yank to the crankshaft... Gotta think on this.
tom

Okay, I think it all depends on what gear you were in when you dropped the clutch. If the motion of the truck in that gear would turn the engine in reverse, definitely check the belt marks. Otherwise, check them anyway.
tom

Are you getting a CEL?

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1995 2WD, 4 Cylinder, 5 Speed