I pegged the gas pedal today on the Ranger while it was in park and it would not go above 3k rpm.

I looked all through out the Ford manual and the only reference I could find was that the rev limiter kicks in at 6500 rpm. I thought I had read somewhere the rev limiter on the Ford 3.0 ranger is set at 5700 rpm.

Well, I checked the revs in park and nuetral both at 1000 rpm = nice and smooth, next 1500 rpm = nice and smooth, next 2000 rpm = smooth, next bumped up to 2500 = nice and smooth, then I tried 3000 rpm and the motor shook and stumbled.

I repeated this several times and it started a few times at 3000 and then a few times it didn't start until 3200 rpm.

My question is - is this a powertrain protection strategy and the rev limiter is kicking in or do I have a problem I need to locate?

 

Its a neutral rev limiter

 

its a safety feature where if your gas pedal would stick for some reason it wont blow the motor up.

 

I have a manual so This does not apply to me!

 

Yup. Just under 3k rev limiter kicks in when in park or neutral. Mine is more of a smooth bouncing though, no rough shaking.

 

All of my auto rangers did that. As they are suppose to from the factory. 5 speeds don't though. You can take them as high as you want. At least my fx4 you can. Pretty sure all 5 speeds are that way. Either way I always thought it was funny revving it in park or natural with the exhaust off on my 01 3.0, bouncing off the 3200rpm mark. I almost spelled out the sound effects...I refrained though. haha

 

I think even some of the stick shifts had that safety device put in.

 

hmmm possibly.

 

Why would anyone do this? Just curious, it can't be good for the engine.

 

Now I know what mint tractor Jason was talking about in his new side exit exhaust thread. It sounds like Ford does not want the automatic boys racking their pipes off. But, how are they suppose to pick up chicks with a rev limiter?

PSIJOE spell it out for us brah.

 

my 99 auto didnt do that.

 

My 99 doesnt have that eithr

 

HAHA Hmmm let me think about it...lol :-/

P.S. maybe it's on the 01+ rangers?


I don't remember doing it in either of my 97's so I cant really say or not. Either that or I just don't remember? I haven't had them in years.

 

I was jump start my Freestar and hit the gas a little to hard and heard it stumble. So I slowly rose the rpm's and it stumbled again. I thought the rev limiter didn't kick in until 5700 so I initially thought I had a problem.

I agree not something you want to do for no reason.

 

no, its a rev limiter.

 

2005 4.0L 4x4 has the Rev Limiter as well

 

Wow ! I came here to find out about this myself. Hard to believe there is a thread about it on the first page. My 01 ranger won't go above 3K rpm either when in park.

 

I guess my question would be: why would you want to rev that high in neutral?

 

My 01 does the same thing. Plus I can't pass 90MPH. I want 120MPH. The rev limiter and MPH limiter both suck. My Ranger doesn't bounce or act rough when the limiter is pegged. I just got mine in October. Most of the suspension was replaced. You know the funny thing. Those dead seats are so comfortable. Put me to sleep while parked. WHILE PARKED. I'd rather sleep in those seats than some hotels. Call me crazy. If you want the limiters gone contact a performence car tuner shop. They can do that and more. Or get the Flashpaq meter and flash your truck yourself.

 

I know this is an old thread but..... I just found out my 2003 Ranger 3.0L with Automatic transmission does the same thing, it will not rev above 3K RPM while in park. Why was I reving it? Because I just replaced a broken valve spring and performed the valve cover gasket replacement, the truck has been down for 4 weeks (lack of time) and wanted to make sure it can rev and is running OK. I hope this helps someone else out!

 

2002 3.0L Ranger. Finally! I thought there was something wrong with my engine. Talked to several Ford owners and they couldn't tell me that there was a 3K RPM limiter.

 

Timmyd, it is nice to know that some things are OK and not broken every once in a while

 

I know this is an old thread but I feel this information could help here.

 

So it was your lower intake gasket not your head gasket that was the cause.?