When I am driving my 1998 4cyl Ranger, every now and then, I notice the engine will not respond when I step on the accelerator.

Pushing in the clutch, I let the engine drop to idle as I coast down the highway. The ammeter drops and the truck shakes as the engine runs very rough, sometimes quitting. I restart the engine and it is back to normal.

Other times, I will be in town and when I stop at a light, the engine drops to idle and then starts running rough again. Shut the engine off, then restart it and it's fine again. Or I will accelerate from the light and notice things are sluggish. Get up to speed, shut the engine off, then restart and it runs fine again.

Can anyone tell me what's happening here?

Steve

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1998 * 2wd * 2.5L 4-cyl FI engine * Manual transmission - 4spd w/overdive * 80,000 miles