New Guy, Many Questions

RedFord · #1 10-27-2010, 05:16 AM

This is a '94 XLT with 4cyl/5spd and 133,000 miles. Haven't had it a week yet, still getting used to everything.....and finding bugs. I don't have any 'idiot' lights. I also don't have the high beam indicator. I've checked the fuses, so.....????
It is getting colder here and I've noticed in the mornings that it seems to act like it's cold blooded and needs to be revved up to keep running. This does have fuel injection, right? I don't have to set the choke, do I?
Some trucks or cars have had 'shift lights'. Does this one? At what point do you generally shift to the higher gears? Are these meant to be higher revving engines?
And, I don't have keys to lock or unlock the doors. How do I go about getting them? Someone said that the ignition key should do that, but it won't.
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks,Scott

LowFord · #2 10-27-2010, 05:52 AM

I'd check the light bulb for the high beam indicator. as for the mornings im thinking something fuel related. im assuming the fuel isnt vaporizing on account of the motors cold and therefore its running rough. it is fuel injected, no carb or choke. rangers arent made to be rode hard, just shift when when it feels necessary. i usually shift to second at about 14 mph, 3rd at like 26, 4th at like 38, and overdrive around 50. no shift light though. id say somebody has replaced the ignition cylinder. you'd probably have to call pop a lock or grotts to get a new key made for the door lock cylinders. hope this helps. Scott

modelageek · #3 10-27-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

This is a '94 XLT with 4cyl/5spd and 133,000 miles. Haven't had it a week yet, still getting used to everything.....and finding bugs. I don't have any 'idiot' lights. I also don't have the high beam indicator. I've checked the fuses, so.....????
It is getting colder here and I've noticed in the mornings that it seems to act like it's cold blooded and needs to be revved up to keep running. This does have fuel injection, right? I don't have to set the choke, do I?
Some trucks or cars have had 'shift lights'. Does this one? At what point do you generally shift to the higher gears? Are these meant to be higher revving engines?
And, I don't have keys to lock or unlock the doors. How do I go about getting them? Someone said that the ignition key should do that, but it won't.
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks,Scott

clean the iacv, TB and MAF(if you have one), check for clean airfilter and no blosckage in air intake.....if that does not do it.....check the ect for rsisstance. make sure coolant is topped off.............on a side not you might want to change the fuel filter they never get changed enough

RedFord · #4 10-27-2010, 09:03 AM

I understand 'TB' and 'MAF', but what is 'IACV' & 'ECT'?

modelageek · #5 10-27-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

I understand 'TB' and 'MAF', but what is 'IACV' & 'ECT'?

idle air control valve and engine coolant temp sensor(this is the sensor that tells the ecu the temp. it is not the sensor that works the temp gauge......

modelageek · #6 10-27-2010, 09:09 AM

also on that truck check the rear leafspring hangers and shackles for rust. the 5 speeds are know to have plugs that leak on the tranny so check the fluid level.or better yet drain and fill....easy job 30 minutes use Mercon

RedFord · #7 10-27-2010, 09:20 AM

Come to think of it, the tranny does look as if it's covered in light oil and I saw some drips under the truck......What weight of oil am I looking for?

modelageek · #8 10-27-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

Come to think of it, the tranny does look as if it's covered in light oil and I saw some drips under the truck......What weight of oil am I looking for?

mercon or mercon V ATF............there is a drain and filler plug on the side of the tranny.remove the filler plug first........you will need a hand pump or you can use a hose and funnel though the engine bay to fill it up..... takes about 3 quarts.......just buy a 5 gallon jug you will have it for the power steering....

RedFord · #9 10-27-2010, 09:42 AM

............for a manual transmission? ATF?

modelageek · #10 10-27-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

............for a manual transmission? ATF?

yes Mercon or Mercon V atf.........I am 100% positive

*also you should make a vehicl profile with as many details as you can it helps us to diagnose your issue

sgtsandman · #11 10-27-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

............for a manual transmission? ATF?

Yep, just did mine not that long ago. Mercon V

The power steering uses it too. A gallon jug would be useful and it probably wouldn't hurt to change out the power steering fluid while you're at it.

modelageek · #12 10-27-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

This is a '94 XLT with 4cyl/5spd and 133,000 miles. Haven't had it a week yet, still getting used to everything.....and finding bugs. I don't have any 'idiot' lights. I also don't have the high beam indicator. I've checked the fuses, so.....????
It is getting colder here and I've noticed in the mornings that it seems to act like it's cold blooded and needs to be revved up to keep running. This does have fuel injection, right? I don't have to set the choke, do I?
Some trucks or cars have had 'shift lights'. Does this one? At what point do you generally shift to the higher gears? Are these meant to be higher revving engines?
And, I don't have keys to lock or unlock the doors. How do I go about getting them? Someone said that the ignition key should do that, but it won't.
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks,Scott

it is fuel injection and you dont have a choke.........someone must have replaced the ignition key cylinder so it does not match your door........you either need to buy some new cylinders for the doors or call a lock smith..........just fo rlaughs look around the frame,etc, for a hide akey.......I dont know if you could still contact for for a key code?

Dan Woodland · #13 10-28-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFord

This is a '94 XLT with 4cyl/5spd and 133,000 miles. Haven't had it a week yet, still getting used to everything.....and finding bugs. I don't have any 'idiot' lights. I also don't have the high beam indicator. I've checked the fuses, so.....????
It is getting colder here and I've noticed in the mornings that it seems to act like it's cold blooded and needs to be revved up to keep running. This does have fuel injection, right? I don't have to set the choke, do I?
Some trucks or cars have had 'shift lights'. Does this one? At what point do you generally shift to the higher gears? Are these meant to be higher revving engines?
And, I don't have keys to lock or unlock the doors. How do I go about getting them? Someone said that the ignition key should do that, but it won't.
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks,Scott

I would suggest bleeding the brakes Scott, especially at that mileage/age. I would also check/replace all your fluids.

These trucks, 4 cycl, don't have much punch and don't like to be over revved. I use nearly the same shift pattern as LowFord. My truck bogs down about 3K RPMs, always has since my Dad bought it new in 97. I don't get mine above 65-70 MPH very often, maybe down hill...

Also change your fuel filter, plugs and wires. I recently acquired a 97 (same equip as yours) at the same mileage and performed all these repairs, it makes a difference and is inexpensive if you can do the work yourself. There are some very good/helpful how too videos on this site.

RedFord · #14 11-01-2010, 08:07 AM

I did buy new plugs and wires yesterday. The wires that are on it look to be factory so I know they'd be old plus one of them is nearly cut in half....in two places! I didn't detect it at first when I got this, but it is starting to miss when pulling a hill....and sometimes during just plain accelerating. I am thinking a tune up may cure that. What else might cause it? Scott

Mirage · #15 11-01-2010, 01:22 PM

Just for your piece of mind, the Mercon ATF is the correct fluid to use in your tranny. I was surprised too when I rebuilt mine, but verified and reverified, Mercon is correct.

If you have a plug wire that is almost cut through then I would change them all. Couldn't hurt, and it is definately the cause of your misfire. Remember the voltage going through them is like 30-50,000 volts! So it is going to try to find the quickest/easiest path to ground. And the spark plug is high resistance compared to the steel close to the wires.

Also note which wire is cut through (follow it back to the coil pack and remember it) if you still have a miss after a full tune-up, you may want to check the coil pack. Arcing from that bad wire may have damaged the coil pack internally.

Hope this helps.