Yesterday my truck developed a strange and random 'jolt' while cruising down the road. It typically happens between 45-55mph.

I can just be cruising down the road smoothly, then all of a sudden the entire truck jolts, almost like a big misfire or hesitation. The truck runs perfect other than this. In a 40 mile round trip this afternoon, it did this about 12 times.

The truck has over 250k miles on it. (407k km)

Before I filled up today, I put in a big bottle of Fuel System Cleaner incase it is a fuel related problem, just to clean up the fuel filter and injectors.

Had new spark plugs installed last week. Has a drop in K&N filter and new u-joints, incase any of that is needed to help diagnose the problem. No suspension or driveline mods. It's a 5 speed with a new clutch as well.

I can't tell if it is a spark,fuel or driveline related problem.

Any ideas? It's getting really annoying.

 

My truck would do that and then the check engine light would pop up with codes for the MAF, I replaced the MAF and havent had the light or jolt since.

 

I have the same problem, low rpms? like around 2g's?

I found out there is a TSB for the 04- 05 Rangers and I also found this

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ht=trans+thump

 

Yeah,usually around 1500-2500rpm while cruising along.

It did it on me in town a few times around 25-30mph.

I did just have my air box and everything apart a few days ago, but I put everything back together. Made sure to stick that pipe back into the intake tube and plug the MAF back in.

Do you have have manuals or automatics? My CEL does not come on either.

 

mine does it if i hold it steady around 40

 

Did you change the plug wires? Bad plug wires will give the same symptoms.

 

I have the auto 5R55E, I've done the trans flush and filter but next im going to do is the EPC since it fixed it for Yamanube. I've been researching this for the past 3 months but now is Justin helping me out trying to fix it.

Mine did it between 40- 55 mph areound 2- 2500 rpms

Heres the TSB

TSB
05-5-8 SURGING SENSATION DURING CRUISE AT STEADY SPEEDS OF 35-50 MPH (56-80 KM/H) - 4.0L ENGINE

Publication Date: March 4, 2005

FORD: 2004-2005 Ranger


ISSUE:
Some 2004-2005 Rangers equipped with a 4.0L engine and an automatic or manual transmission, may exhibit a surge sensation during cruise at steady speeds between 35-50 MPH (56-80 Km/h). The condition will occur after a cold start and may continue for approximately 5 miles (8 Km) or 5 minutes.

ACTION:
Reprogram the powertrain control module (PCM) to the latest calibration level using WDS release B35.9 and higher, or B36.2 and higher. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraft.com.

NOTE: THIS NEW CALIBRATION IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE B36.0 CD.




WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage And Emissions Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
050508A 2004-2005 Ranger 4.0L: Check For Diagnostic Trouble Codes And Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (Do Not Use With 125650D, 12650D84) 0.4 Hr.

DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
RECALEM 04

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article. The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supercede this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.

Copyright © 2005 Ford Motor Company

 

Hmmmmmm. Well,that pretty much describes my problem. Mine is a 5 speed, and it has been doing it in very cold weather. It is doing it even when the truck is at operating temps. It's also a 2002.

Good post Mark. I assume this is going to have to be a dealership repair?

 

No, the wires are the originals I beleive. I know what bad wire symptoms are like, and this seems to be more related to the TSB bulletin Mark posted. However, I'm sure new wires will not hurt in the near future.

 

That's exactly the speed I find it happens at most often. Right around 40mph. Any slower or faster and it still happens, but less frequently.

 

Idk man like I said im still trying to figure it out. I want to replace the EPC but if thats no it then i just dumped $300 for nothing.

For you it could be the DPFE Sensor since you have a crap load of miles.

Do you have any programmers or anything?

I just got off teh phone with Justin and he told me if you run a K&N drop in teh oils screw up teh mass sensor and causes a surge.

 

ohhh...I cleaned an oiled my filter back around November. That filter has been in the truck for over 190 000 miles with no problem.

Other than the K&N, my truck is mechanically 100% OEM.

What's a DPFE?

 

Diff. pressure... something, sorry i forgot what all the letters standed for. but i'm going to clean the mass sensor when it gets warmer.

 

I think I'm going to do the same. I'm going to let this tank full of my fuel system cleaner run through and see that that helps, which I doubt. If the problem persists, I'll hit up the $tealer.

 

the DPFE os the senspr fpr the EGR valve.

Before wither of you guys do/buy anything. Disconnect the battery, clean the MAF, IAT and IAC motor as well as the throttle body. Replace that satanic K&N with a MOTORCRAFT air filter ( i say motorcraft because alot of the fram and other aftermarket filters dont seal as well between the two halves of the air box. make certian the two halves of the air box are properly engaged with eachother (my dads surging on his lvl II was caused by the air box not being latched properly) and reconnect the battery and try that. If not, i guess the recalibration is worth a shot. I talked to the trans guy at work and he said the EPC will not cause a surging, it regulates the line pressure and if it is bad, it will either cause a slipping situation or a firm shift.

if you have a any questions PM me, i have access to the ford workshop manuals etc..

 

My dad just installed a drop in K&N on his 08 and it comes with a gasket to install on the box for the Explorer and Sport Trac. When he originally put the K&N in my truck several years ago, he put that gasket on the air box when he didn't need to. It never really affected anything, but the box has the 2 outside clips broken (the round holes closest to the grille),so the top of the box slides into the holes towards the fender, and then seats in the large clips on the opposite side, so I guess it is not a 100% seal.

I think tomorrow I'll go out and play around with things and clean stuff up and see what happens.

The K&N's are really that bad huh? I've never had any problems with them in any of my other vehicles. High flow filters are always the first mod I do.

 

Mine did this also but i believe it only did it when i had 4x4 on and it was also cold as hell out.

 

The OEM paper filters are designed to flow way more air than the engine will pull. The large holes in the K&N filter media will flow more air than a OEM paper filter, but since the OEM paper filter isn't what limits the amount of air, the K&N won't flow any more air than the OEM paper filter. The only thing the K&N will pass more than the OEM paper filter is dirt and oil, which contaminates the MAF sensor element, and gums up the IAC valve, and throttle body.

 

Great explaination Bob. Makes total sense.

I was also iffy about why you have to oil an air filter, just for the fact it would make sense that the oil and crap gets sucked up.

 

This is from the warranty section on K&N's website:

"K&N will not be responsible for any other expenses incurred by the customer under the terms of this warranty, nor shall it be responsible for any damages either consequential, special, contingent, or otherwise; or expenses or injury arising directly or indirectly from the use of the K&N Air Filter."

This should tell the story.....you won't find this kind of statement from ANY OEM paper airfilter manufacturer, period!!!

 

A man who reads the fine print.

 

So how do I clean the IAT and IAC motor and the throttle body?

BTW what is the IAC & IAT??

 

4.0 skip/misfire/bucking

it been pretty active, we all seem to have the same issue.

 

Yeah it seems like it, I always thought I stood alone with this problem but I guess not.

My 98 impreza outback wagon with 350,000 doesnt have any problems as my truck. I bought both brand new also.

 

alright it is neither of those im telling you either the maf, spark plug wires, or spark plugs i fixed this problem twice once buy getting new plug wires, then it started to do it again but this time it was the plugs they were new autolite plats. but i got bausch plat. 4's and ever since they've been good i guarantee it, they are a lil pricey but itll stop the jerk, give you better mpg's as well as power and you never have to gap them