Engine is misfiring?

Tiny
SHARJOBE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
Truck starts fine, idles ok, when I put it in gear the engine starts to miss and run rough, when I press on the gas it smooth out some.. When driving it will run ok at a steady speed then when I start up a hill or to pass and give it some gas it starts to miss until I get up some speed then it smooths out, I replaced the plugs and wires, that didn't help. Any ideal on what is going on. I have no problems out of it when starting or at idle, but when accelerating, only occasionally will it sputter and act like it is misfiring. The check engine light is not on and when not sputtering runs like a champ. I have replaced plugs, wires, coil pack, fuel filter, and added injector cleaner. Fuel pump seems to be fine and all vacuum lines seem to be intact. It has a new air filter as well, but I'm not sure where to go from here. I feel safe driving it anywhere, because on the highway at driving speed it does fine, and only sputters for a second when accelerating. I am on a tight budget and would like to fix the problem before it becomes more serious. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sunday, April 26th, 2009 AT 6:34 PM

55 Replies

Tiny
JECHOLS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It sounds like you may have low compression in one or more cylinders here are two guides to help us fix the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
RICKIMONY15
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

i have a 02 ford ranger and its not running right and I dont know whats wrong with it I went mudding in it and now I read the codes an it sead system to rich bank 1 and 2 then something wrong with the maf but this is what it dus I pres on the gas it suck air and bogs down then the rpms go back up and the truck gos if you could just tell me what is wrong
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Well first thing you need to do is clean out all the mud. Check all connections under the vehicle, making sure they are clean of mud and that no mud and or water got into the connections.

Also pull the MAF out of air duct and check for water and mud.

Check for broken emmission tubes, vacumm leaks.

Post findings.

.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BGASS1421
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Ok, so I have had a misfire with cylinder 6 two separate times in 2 years. Both times I replaced all the spark plugs and wires (regular tune up). The code goes away for a while but the truck idles horribly, especially when I come to a red light. I change the oil regularly. I have changed the fuel filter, no change. I have changed the air filter, still rough idle. I cleaned the idle air control valve, and the MAF, and the throttle body. It still idles very rough but was not throwing codes for 2 months just rough idle. Now the check engine light sometimes comes on when I have driven the truck for a while and the engine is very warm, and it ONLY comes on when I am idling at a stop. It blinks until I take off again and then it goes away. I changed the cylinder 6 plug and I still have the problem! I have no idea what to do now!
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the compression and injector for no. 6 cyl.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BGASS1421
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I had a compression test done #1=115, #2=100, #3=110, #4=100, #5= 105, #6=110, I was told that was good. Im still stuck.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Engine running rough or misfiring can be cause by the following:

1. Defective spark plug.
2. Inadequate spark/coil, defective spark plug wire.
3. Lack of compression
4. False air leakage.
5. Faulty fuel injectors.
6. Insufficient fuel pressure.
7. Contaminated fuel.
8. EGR valve that is leaking.
9. Oxygen sensors.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BGASS1421
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Spark plugs and wires are new and good.
Compression check is good.
I only get the check engine light once in a while and only at idle when the engine is really hot. However the engine has a rough idle problem hot and cold, all the time, sometimes the idle is so bad, the truck feels like its about to die.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SESSIONS10
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
Have 03 ranger 3.0 that is misfiring. Replaced coil and heads, had valve job done, checked compression all good still misfirers! What else could be wrong? Thanks
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Is a code set?
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Double check the IACV, EGR valve and TPS
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SESSIONS10
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
What does that mean?
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BGASS1421
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Ok, so I have not been able to double check those parts yet. HOWEVER I disconnected my MAF sensor, cranked the truck and she purred like a kitten, I have never seen an idle that smooth in this truck, when I hooked the MAF back up, rough idle again. I took the Maf off and cleaned it again. Still very rough idle. Any more thoughts? Do I need to get a new maf?
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Check engine light on?
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the wiring back to the computer for short or open if okay consider a new one
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SESSIONS10
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes and its flashing
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BGASS1421
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Ok, so my buddy has the same truck as me but a year newer. His runs fine. I switched our maf sensors and no change. I guess it's not my maf. The idle is HORRIBLY rough, the engine is shaking severely. I pulled each plug wire off of the plugs to see if there was any change in idle. I noticed that there was no change when I pulled the wire for #6 (this is the one that sometimes throws a code) I also noticed that the idle does not change much at all when I pulled the wires of of the #4 plug and the #5 plug (of course not at the same time). So there is a pattern here, those plugs are on the same side of the engine. So I went and swapped out my new wires for some more new wires. No change. Currently horrible idle and no codes.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Go to an Auto Zone have codes pulled then post
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the engine compression both wet and dry tests
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SESSIONS10
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Codes p0301, p0303 and p0305 which is a misfire in cylinders 1, 3 and 5, and they said something bout the emissions.
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Monday, June 8th, 2020 AT 11:40 AM (Merged)

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