Hello everyone
I'm new to the forums
K so I have a 1997 Ford Ranger with the 2.3 in it. My dad had an old 83 Ranger that he put a manual in it. I took the trans when the truck was totaled. I DID NOT change the computer or wire harness everything seems to work great besides difference in gearing and the truck often feels like there is water in the gas tank. I have been driving the truck for 3 weeks and its random that it shakes but it does it too much. If i give it more gas or let off the gas it stops bucking. The speedo is way off but right now I use my GPS for speed. at 77 mph on the GPS and 90 mph on the truck the truck starts bucking like crazy and will not go over that. not that I more than that its just that i don't want it to do it ever. anybody happen to have any exp. with this issue? could it just be the computer. it runs fine other than the bucking which it just throws me off. any help would be great.

 

if you did not change or reflash the PCM it will be looking for the auto ad when it doesn't see it it goes into limp mode to keep you from breaking anything. Im actually surprised you can get it to drive at all really mine barely made it the 2 miles from my grandfathers shop to my house with the auto tune still in it.

 

So do you think it would be cheaper to flash the PCM or just get one from the junk yard?

 

I would call a local Ford Dealer and ask them the cost to reFlash the PCM for the transmission change, that would be the baseline price and best option since you would also get latest changes for best operation.
The PCM software is always being "tweaked" for better operation, just like any computer software.

Or get a '97 Ranger 2.3l or B2300 computer from a manual 2WD truck at a wreckers.


I would also replace the fuel filter, $10, it needs to be replaced from time to time like an air filter or oil filter, but in your case the stalling out at higher fuel demands(higher speeds) could be a sign of limited fuel flow.

 

On a vehicle this old ('97) the drive train computer wasn't as sophisticated as they are today. The automatic probably had a switch to tell the computer what position the shift lever was in (park, drive, reverse) - this may be as simple as sending the computer the right switch signal to indicate drive.

Also, if you're speedometer is indicating 99 when the truck starts to stall out - this could be the proper operation - ford may have put a speed limiter in the computer so the truck wouldn't go over 100. I'm not sure how you'd fix this unless you can re-use the speed sensor from the automatic you replaced... or as suggested change the computer.

 

Not sure about the autos in the 4 cylinder but my auto had 2 speed sensors and it took an average i had to do a lot of tweaking with the tuner to get it right. Also ford is a good idea for a ref lash except i talked to about 5 different dealerships and the answer i got was they idiot proofed the flashing tool so it does a vin check before flashing since your auto PCM will give an auto VIN number it won't allow them to flash a manual tune to it so you would have to bring them a manual PCM but then you could just use it yourself with no ref lash if you want to keep the same PCM you have to go aftermarket.

 

As far as I know VIN won't have a transmission code

 

i forget which but one does indicate what transmission it has he showed me while i was at my local dealer it may not be a direct code but as in my case mine is flex fuel which did not come with a 5 speed that year so it kicks it out on that basis may be a FFV specific deal but he said they were all like that i knew a guy that did the swap on a mustang and had the same issue. They wouldn't touch the auto PCM something about them is different.