Hey All, virgin poster here.

Figure I'd give some info on my self. I'm not new to forums and im not new to wrenching but i am new to Fords. My friends and I have a fantastic work opportunity tree planting about 10 hours away from where we live.
Between us we've got a bunch of sedans and other equally unsuitable vehicles and this one lone 1986 ranger xlt V6.
The owner reckons it has rolled over 100,000 miles twice and is now at 50,000. Says the transmission was replaced at 50,000 and that's all he can tell me. Claims the tranny is made by mitzubishi?

The truck was given to one of us for free and has been kept in excellent condition. From what i can tell with my hooter at the tail pipe and from checking the blood, i mean oil, of the engine it isn't burning a significant amount. none that my nose can detect.

My main query is about a throttle issue that's been cropping up. Sometimes when coming to a stop the truck likes to stall and sometimes gives a fight to start again. The starting idle, no matter what temperature it is, will jump between 1,000 and 2,000rpm very quickly. This also gives really awkward drivability problems.
So to trouble shoot this we unplugged what we thought was a low idle control and nothing happened, when we put it back in the idle went up and hung steadily at 3,000.

Just wondering if there were some common threads you could link up if anyone has anything bookmarked.

Also, any other common things to look at would be a great help as we leave on the 30th.
was going to check brakes, oils, plugs, wires, connections in general and all that good stuff tomorrow (april 20th).

Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what else to give a once over. any relays that are notorious for giving grief?

Thanks so much in advance,
Ed.

 

here is a video of the idle. its different every time. This time was quite tame. we re-started twice more and sometimes it will go from 1,000 to 2,500 or just hang at 2,500...
it looks like we are playing with the throttle but we aren't touching anything.
is the culprit that switch on the intake before the throttle body?
we took it off and it looked clean and for the most part functional?

http://youtu.be/okRiRvWZgkE

 

i have 01 ranger that did that had my cuz look at,he replaced the maf sensor and changed the fuel filter and that fixed the problem,but i would suggest goin to a parts store and buying some maf cleaner and see if it fixes the problem

 

I wouldn't trust such an old used vehicle for a ten hour road trip, It's sure to break down half way there, and then you'll be at the mercy of the local repairmen. I'd rent a newer vehicle. If it breaks down, you won't be liable for the repair bill.

 

Thank you both for the feedback. We need the truck from the 30th of this month to the 1st of august. One of us is going to be using it as a tent (it has a canopy) so renting isn't much of an option...

Just found a list of repairs done in 2006. Mostly rear drums and fuel line related stuff...


we have to live in the forest basically taking day trips into a small town so we need a truck to carry all our stuff.

I will take a look at the MAF sensor when my friend comes back from work with the truck tonight. All the parts stores are closed but i have an abundance of brake cleaner, will that suffice?

 

No you need electronics cleaner