Car dies but only while on the road?

Broke Guy · #1 10-11-2012, 04:36 AM

Sorry if this is in the wrong place I'm new and I'm at the end of my ropes
This is my last ditch effort at maybe getting my life together and it all starts with my truck.

I lost my yob and i cant get another without a means of transportation...
My 97 4.0 v6 ford ranger keeps giving me trouble!

A week ago my car wouldnt start and i had to get it towed...I had a bad battery so I just replaced it yesterday...truck started up no problem.

But as I was driving it today it just died out on me...something popped and leaked under my hood it appeared to be the power steering fluid...my brake fluid reservoir was all wet as well as the power distribution box but it wasnt brake fluid it was power steering fluid.

I had to push my truck through downtown traffic in to a nearby parking lot. My truck started up and i left it running in park for like 2 minutes and it never died...

As I got out on the road everything seemed okay but then I stopped at a red light and my truck died out again... I had to start it up again but it started no problem..

What could be causing my truck to do die at red lights in gear but run just fine when in park?

I'd like to add I ran the diagnostics on it and all it was telling me was that I had trouble with the transmission solenoid but my uncle said that probably wouldnt cause the car to just die like that.

Any detailed help would be greatly appreciated if you can give some good honest advice I'd even be willing to maybe give a donation or mail you some extra parts i have ...anything to get some help please?

Jonesboy93 · #2 10-11-2012, 06:28 AM

Does it seem to cut out only when you stop? Like if you're driving and never slow down or stop will it run fine?

mdsbuck · #3 10-11-2012, 08:17 AM

How old is your fuel filter?

FordRanger4x4 · #4 10-11-2012, 09:25 AM

Sounds to me like the torque converter is staying locked. Power steering fluid most likely came from when you had it towed. If you turn the steering while it`s not running it will blow fluid out of the pump. Try shifting to neutral when stopping. Good luck and hope things work out for you.

flipper66 · #5 10-11-2012, 11:40 AM

Do the RPMs jump when it dies? could have a hair line crack in a vacuum line.

Broke Guy · #6 10-11-2012, 02:49 PM

Not sure how old the fuel filter is probably a few years
yeah the rpms kinda jump when i drive.

whats my first step?

DannMarr · #7 10-11-2012, 03:15 PM

Check your alternator. Maybe it gives just enough to start but lags while driving.

FordRanger4x4 · #8 10-11-2012, 03:17 PM

First step...clean all the power steering fluid off. While the engine is cold, spray it with degreaser, then hose it off. Refill power steering. Then do what I said about the trans. Call a trans. shop, tell them about the code you got and get their opinion.

HazardousRanger · #9 10-11-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordRanger4x4

First step...clean all the power steering fluid off. While the engine is cold, spray it with degreaser, then hose it off. Refill power steering. Then do what I said about the trans. Call a trans. shop, tell them about the code you got and get their opinion.

Everytime someone hoses off their engine, they come on here with something broken...

Sent from my HTC Glacier using FRF App

CitySlick · #10 10-11-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HazardousRanger

Everytime someone hoses off their engine, they come on here with something broken...

Sent from my HTC Glacier using FRF App

Lol what.
I hose mine off once a month. And nothing's ever broke.

Jonesboy93 · #11 10-11-2012, 04:51 PM

You can't hurt it by washing it. I do mine once a week with a pressure washer. But the fact it only does it when you completely stop would imply it would be the converter. You stop but it wants to keep going and just stalls out. just like if you just stopped in a manual without pushing in the clutch.

FordRanger4x4 · #12 10-11-2012, 05:03 PM

Op said he had a code for trans. My thought is maybe the converter isn`t unlocking? I mist water all over under my hood, spray it down with whitewall cleaner, let it set a few min. then wash it off with a water hose. Been doing it for years and never hurt a thing. Just don`t do this if you have the coil on plug system, I`ve had to replace a lot of coils on Ford 4.6 `s when someone got `em wet.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesboy93

You can't hurt it by washing it. I do mine once a week with a pressure washer. But the fact it only does it when you completely stop would imply it would be the converter. You stop but it wants to keep going and just stalls out. just like if you just stopped in a manual without pushing in the clutch.

Sorry, I didn`t see your post. I had said the same thing in an earlier post.

Broke Guy · #13 10-19-2012, 04:26 PM

Could it be the wires that connect to my battery?
They're somewhat corroded and it seems every time after I clean off all the corrosion it comes back very quickly.

My uncles suggest that that's what it is.

I dont think it's my alternator..

Please help my truck is stuck at a friend's house and I'm not sure how long it will last over there!

Any help is greatly appreciated!