Ok guys im tired of this ranger and im almost to the point of selling it! So you guys are its last hope lol

I have a 2004 ford ranger 3.0 auto trans w/ the dreaded cylinder misfire under 1k rpm. Now ive been fighting this issue for a while now but it seems the colder weather has made it really start acting up. It all started sitting in traffic one day when I felt the idle drop off and started missing followed soon by a flashing CEL. I immediately pulled over, shut it down and let it sit for a few mins. Turned it back on and the CEL was gone (no code stored) I took it too the dealer just to verify that no code was there and they agreed nothing had been stored. Well it played that game with me over the next 4 months probably like once or twice a month. Well now it does it nearly everytime its at idle. If you hold it just over 1k rpm you have no problems but anything under it is a crap shoot on wether the light will come on. After reading a few threads on here i went with the usual suspects. Plug,wires,coil.....didnt fix the problem...i then replaced the IAC and fuel injectors(ya money money money) and it still did not fix the problem.

I bought this truck new and it has 74k miles on it. Ive had all the service work done at ford and honestly am sickened that this truck i bought to be dependable transpartaion is having troubles at realitivly low mileage.

any ideas would help.

thanks guys

 

This is a good one. Sounds like a problem in the wiring. Have you checked the J box on the fire wall. It could have some corrosion in it making it lose contact. Otherwise I would start checking plug connections and wires for breaks. Good luck!

 

i have not checked that. I have never messed with my ranger (didnt want to either lol) cause its my DD. Is this J box on the passenger side? im tryin to go from memory

 

Yep the J box or plug is next to the blower motor on the firewall. Should have one or two screws that keep it tight. The bad part is that if the seal breaks it can get water in it and you never know its there. I am just guessing but that sounds like the next place that I would go. Have you checked the compression on all the cylinders? Does this thing give you any codes at all? Check the cats and make sure they are good too. Well this should keep you busy for a little while. Please let me know what you find. I am curious know..

 

Ahh yes it does give codes. The code is "misfire cylinder 5" "misfire within first 1000 revolutions"

I have not checked compression on the cylinders. It is the same cylinder everytime and runs perfectly at anythink above 1k rpms.

 

cj send me ur email i can send you a pdf file on that problem mine same model and make does same thing but on cylinder 4 TSB on that problem which most likely is a engine exhaust valve seat recession..

 

I would first pull the #5 plug , check it for cracks , then re-gap to .042 , the low end of the gap range.
I had a plug with a small crack in the insulator ~ 3/8" long gave me the same problem.

 

ive replaced the plugs twice :(

justin pm sent

 

sent email! hope it helps you out found it from another post

 

justin if your right....FML



do they make aftermarket heads for these motors. Ive dealt withnothing but mustangs so this motors aftermarket options are a mystery to me.....do tell

 

im in the same position as you except i havent done the injectors yet...let us know what you figure out

 

well i talked to the dealer...


They ran my VIN number and said that my truck does fall within the range of vehicle that fords TSB 05-26-3 concerns. They also informed me that the time to get it fixed ran out last year (i assume they are talking about the 3 year warranty) and so basically im SOL when it comes to repairs.

I think thats bull**** though cause ford recognizesthats its a defect in the manufactring process. Im gunna get it checked by two rivers ford and if thats the problem im gunna **** a brick.

 

Did you **** a brick? I have the same problem on the #2 cylinder and I know it's not the plugs, wire, or coil pack, as they have been changed.

I know this is an old thread but I would like to know what fixed your problem if you are still around.