Slow to warm up

greenxlt · #1 08-06-2010, 12:57 PM

I am new to the forum so I hope I am doing this correctly. My '96 Ranger XLT 2.3 seems to be cold blooded. Even though the current temperature here is near 100 degrees lately I have to let the truck idle for at least 2 to 3 minutes before trying to move. Even if I hit the accelerator in neutral the engine bogs down. If I try to move it balks big time. After a few minutes everything is fine. I would appreciate any ideas you all might have. Thank you.

FireRanger · #2 08-06-2010, 01:48 PM

This has nothing to do with engine temperature. Something else is wrong. Until someone with more computer knowledge chimes in, you could disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes, re-connect, and see if it fixes the problem. It's kind of like ctl+alt+del for you computer.

stephensimmons · #3 08-06-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenxlt

I am new to the forum so I hope I am doing this correctly. My '96 Ranger XLT 2.3 seems to be cold blooded. Even though the current temperature here is near 100 degrees lately I have to let the truck idle for at least 2 to 3 minutes before trying to move. Even if I hit the accelerator in neutral the engine bogs down. If I try to move it balks big time. After a few minutes everything is fine. I would appreciate any ideas you all might have. Thank you.

Kinda sounds like your running VERY lean. Is your check engine light on?

ObsoleteE · #4 08-06-2010, 05:37 PM

My buddies v6 f150 did this, but my 11 year old 127k 2.5 doesn't. There has to be some sort of problem. Perhaps your injectors need to be cleaned. I would guess they are gummed up and don't flow properly until they are hot.

FireRanger · #5 08-06-2010, 07:59 PM

I'm really leaning toward a computer re-set by disconnecting the battery fixing this. Here is why.

When you first start the engine, everything is in open loop mode. Most sensors are ignored until the engine is up to operating temperature. The computer determines fuel flow and timing based on what it has learned and stored in it's memory over time. Once the engine is warmed up, it goes into closed loop mode and starts using it's sensors to manage fuel flow and timing.

If the data the computer has stored is crap, then it will run like crap while in open loop mode because has nothing else to go by. Your fuel flow and timing will be all fucked up. Once the engine warms up, it goes into closed loop, uses the sensors, and runs fine. This sounds exactly like what is happening. By disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes, it will wipe the computer's learned settings and return it to default values. On the first start, it will run fine but might be noticeably not as smooth and purring like a kitten until it learns things over again. If this was indeed the problem, it will solve it.

If this was messed up injectors or whatever, the problem wouldn't just vanish after it warms up. If anything it would run better cold since it will normally run rich in open loop.

ObsoleteE · #6 08-06-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireRanger

I'm really leaning toward a computer re-set by disconnecting the battery fixing this. Here is why.

When you first start the engine, everything is in open loop mode. Most sensors are ignored until the engine is up to operating temperature. The computer determines fuel flow and timing based on what it has learned and stored in it's memory over time. Once the engine is warmed up, it goes into closed loop mode and starts using it's sensors to manage fuel flow and timing.

If the data the computer has stored is crap, then it will run like crap while in open loop mode because has nothing else to go by. Your fuel flow and timing will be all fucked up. Once the engine warms up, it goes into closed loop, uses the sensors, and runs fine. This sounds exactly like what is happening. By disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes, it will wipe the computer's learned settings and return it to default values. On the first start, it will run fine but might be noticeably not as smooth and purring like a kitten until it learns things over again. If this was indeed the problem, it will solve it.

If this was messed up injectors or whatever, the problem wouldn't just vanish after it warms up. If anything it would run better cold since it will normally run rich in open loop.

Gotta agree, start simple and cheap.

greenxlt · #7 08-07-2010, 11:26 AM

Thanks to all for your input. I will try the battery disconnect and see what that does. I just picked up a set of plugs and wires since I don't know when they were last changed. Any advice on changing the plugs since the intake side looks pretty tight. I appreciate the help.