Id still check/replace fuel filter first...

Yep, my first thought was the filter. Sediments plugging the filter, reducing fuel flow. Thus the low idle as well as the occasional dying/hard to start issue.

Although replacing your plugs might be the bast place to start, sounds like it needs to be done anyway. I would think if it was spark related like that though, it would tend to run rough as one or more cylinders has a hard time firing. A distributor issue wouldn't have this same reaction though so I don't think we can rule that out yet.

The thing is when it finally turns over, it doesn't run rough at all. Maybe idling a little too low, but I don't feel any loss of power like I would expect from a plug not firing.

Would a plug fire only part of the time if it was bad/going bad?


Thanks again for everyone's help...

As near as I can tell, the cam sensor is on the distributor. So that is a possibility as far as spark issues go.

If the plugs are fouled, your spark is weak and can cause a loss of power. But I would expect this to affect each cylinder differently so it would probably cause the engine to run rough. Thus, it would be good to change them (increase your mileage if nothing else) although I doubt the is the source of this problem.

Brock brings up an interesting point I overlooked before. I wonder if it is possible that the distributor jumped a notch thus putting it out of sync with the cam and causing the engine light alert? :shrug:

Mind you, I am not a mechanic and, when possible, I take my car to the pro down the street. Just got tired of wracked knuckles and the like. So all of this is just musing off the top of my head and should be taken with that in mind.

Yes it is. It slides into the distributor at an exact 60° angle, and requires a special tool to remove/replace. I wanted to get some ideas first before I dropped money on this special tool.

I've wondered if that could affect the timing... but I didn't think it would affect it that much.....

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ranger-ev/

sorry that's for an EV. Check for a regular Ranger site. I'm short on time or I would

Buy a new car from Carmax!

:shake:

The “Cam Position Sensor” is tell’n the ignition computer module where your engine position is and helps is figure when to fire the next cylinder.
That makes sense as far as your engine just die’n on ya. Failures with an ignition module are typically related to heat, at least in my experience.
Though, your starter grinding slowly and not always start’n the engine sounds like a different problem, if I understand what you’re say’n here.

Ok - I've got one for you guys.

I've got a '93 Ford Ranger, auto tranny.

A few months back, the engine began to "buck" when it shifts from first to second gear.

When you run the AC, the "buck" gets much stronger.

My first fear was that my tranny was bad, but I've had it checked twice and both places indicated there we no shavings in the tranny fluid etc.

Last time I was in the shop, I had them replace the battery thinking it was a voltage problem (battery was apparently pretty low). That's only helped marginally.

Also had the rear U joints replaced last year as they were going bad.

I had a buddy tell me it could be the speed sensor. When it's in first, the speed needle will "wobble" until it "bucks" into second. After that everything's smooth.

Other than that, it runs great

Any thoughts?

bump

On KC Fish's problem, I'm not even sure it is possible to flood a fuel injected vehicle. With a carburetor, each time you pump the gas it shoots gas into the engine. Not so with FI. Also, it probably isn't plugs or wires. When they are failing, the engine misses as you accelerate.