96 will only start if floored

zvice32 · #1 11-14-2010, 05:25 PM

My 1996 ranger ran great untill yesterday it started pinging on the freeway if i tried to accelerate above 55mph. As i pulled into work it was idling high 2000+ rpms and as i let out the clutch to pull into the parking spot it died . It would not start at all. I can only get it to start now with the pedal floored and cranking for around 10 sec. after I do that it idles super high and will go down to normal after 5 min. or so. I checked the fuel pressure im geting exactly what it suppose to have, running and with bumped on.

Im was thinking fuel pump but it seems to be working great. I checked both of the coil packs and they are just right....

zvice32 · #2 11-14-2010, 06:23 PM

I just checked the plugs they are completly black and smell like gas?

modelageek · #3 11-17-2010, 06:05 PM

iacv? fuel pressure? maf?,any codes?

TheStig · #4 11-17-2010, 09:08 PM

Sounds more like Throttle position sensor or MAF sensor

angelomm · #5 11-17-2010, 09:11 PM

when did you last replace the plugs? and what motor is this

ObsoleteE · #6 11-17-2010, 09:12 PM

TPS is my guess.

zvice32 · #7 11-20-2010, 02:32 PM

It is the 2.3l. I replaced the plugs about 2 months ago. I have a friend with the same motor and we swapped the MAF sensor around and its not making a difference. Im not getting any codes and the check engine light is not on. Fuel pressure is right where it should be according to my haynes manual. I cleaned the IACV and its working.

How would i go about checking the throttle position sensor? I cant find a way of testing it in the manual.

A mech. at my work thinks that i should clean the plugs and if it starts right up and runs like it did, it could be a the egr valve sticking open and making the truck run way to rich which fouled the plugs. but idk.

Thanks for all the help!

zvice32 · #8 12-04-2010, 08:10 PM

So it was the emissions temp sensor that was causing the problem. The Temp sensor is located next to the upper coolant hose next to the thermostat housing. I checked the resitance and it was Open Loop OL it should read between 0.3-0.5. Bought the 19.00 sensor and it runs like a champ.

RangerRick02 · #9 01-01-2011, 11:33 AM

FYI
Holding the accelerator pedal to the floor on fuel injected engines (All vehicles, 1992 and newer?) is like turning off the fuel pump. Its for flooded start conditions.
This is why it starts when pedal is held fully open.

jfive · #10 01-04-2011, 12:22 AM

Mine did this for a while, so I might check the tps and maf. I am converting to speed density eventually so not gonna buy a maf, but I do have a spare tps from old engine. Glad to see I am not the only one with this problem.

zvice32 · #11 01-05-2011, 07:18 PM

It was the emissons temp sensor. it fixed the problem runs perfectly

terryduanemiller · #12 01-05-2011, 07:57 PM

some technical info

They are two separate and distinct sensors.

The CTS coolant temperature sensor send signals to the ECU (computer) telling the engine how hot it is or isn't allowing the computer to send the ignition signals to advance or retard the timing to allow your car to be more efficient. When it goes bad it will and can cause the following conditions:
no start when warm
no start when cold
crappy gas mileage
crappy idleing.

The Coolant Temperature Sender (usually black or brown) lights up the idiot light or the water temp gauge by sending signals to the Coolant temp relay.

Both work on the same principle that resistance to the unit varied with the temp of the water.

So re-capping one sends signals to the computer.
One sends signals to the gauge.