Hello everyone. I'm new to this forum.

I have a '94 Ranger 2.3 FI 5-speed which I just purchased thats in nice shape and has less than 100k.

I have been having a problem since I got it. When driving along down the road the throttle seems to be VERY touchy. The best way to describe what it was like is that it feels like there is little to no area in the throttle position to just coast along at one speed and one RPM. It was either wanting to accelerate or decelerate abruptly which created this extremely annoying herky jerky feel as the truck would lurch forward or back with just the "slightest" variation of the gas pedal. Another way to describe it is that it felt like lots of slack in the drive train since the truck would want to sometimes lurch back and forth in gear if I let the RPM's drop to low, like just idling down a long driveway. That led me to go through all the drive drain components and all the drive train is perfect. I then learned that its possibly the IAC valve causing this. So I took it off and tried to clean it but it was obviously not working right. I couldn't get one from any parts store since everyone had to order one which led me to simply reinstalling it so I could drive but I had to leave it unhooked too. To my surprise the truck ran AWESOME with the IAC completely unplugged electrically. Not as easy to start cold but it now drove like I thought it should.....but since the IAC controls idle speed, the idle was too low. So I turned up the idle speed to about 700-800 but then the problem with that became that when the engine warmed up the idle increased to about 1100. Not a big issue but I knew it was wrong. So I bought a new IAC hoping that all would be right and sadly.....no its not. Yes, the truck drives better than it did with the old IAC but it still has this herky jerky touchy throttle issue that almost makes it no fun to drive. I can see where it would not affect an auto tranny truck as much as this little 5 speed reacts to throttle changes. Anyone have any ideas? I was desperate enough to consider trying to rig something up too. Like possibly having the IAC valve only come on when the A/C compressor kicks on so that the IAC isn't constantly messing with the intake.....if thats whats really causing my issue. Also, I did check all my vacuum lines and vacuum is fine.

I had a 93 2.3 that bucked like that when stepping on the gas and I would lose power going up hills. Have the plugs, wires and coil packs checked. I put a ton of money into it by trouble shooting it myself when it was just that.

Thanks. But how do you have the wires and coils checked? I understood that no one could check coils and that they were either working or not. I called around and to replace both wires and coils would be around $125. Thats more money than I care to throw at something that possibly isn't it. What exactly did your truck act like? You talked about loosing power.....but this 2.3 has never been a real power engine so I'm not sure if its loosing power or if its just powerless. I don have any trouble moving along down the freeway if that makes any difference.

I took it to a shop, I'm not too familiar with the mechanics of it all but I had one pack replaced along with all new wires and plugs for 160 including labor, so I recommend that if you aren't too familiar with your engine

Before you do that, replace the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). Symptoms match up and it's cheap/easy.

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(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

Good to know. Where is it and how to change it? Any links? Thanks.

Google for pictures. Its right on the side of the throttle body with two wires coming out of it. Two screws.

__________________
(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

Thank you.

Well, I've looked for all possibles without just throwing cash at random parts. I've just come to the conclusion that the IAC valve is not a smooth transitioning component in the throttle control system so therefor when I vary the gas pedal movement any then the IAC moves as well.....but abruptly.....giving the harsh reaction. Unless there's something I'm missing. Thanks for the help.

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1994 Ranger 2.3 FI 5-speed