so its happened 2 times in a row... like the 1st time i start my truck up in the morning theres this crunching noise and it shakes.... feels like theres an animal in there buuuuut if there was he would of died the 1st time it happened.... any ideas what it could be? has it happened to any of u.

 

Where is the noise comin from....

 

dont really know im in my truck everytime sounds like the middle of the truck..

 

Well i think we going to need more info to help you with your problem.....

Is the inside of your truck clean....

well it got to be in the engine bay because you said you hear it when you start it up...

 

Do you mean your truck...

 

no the engine is clean i dont go mudding or anything im not a fan of that but it just started doing it..... u know like sound of something crushing such as a can when u step on it thats what it sounds like... and like since my foot is on the brake u can feel the crunching.... im going to the shop soon ill tell u what it was... it might be a bad starter

 

^^^ a crushin noise... Thats weird

I can't think of anything...

 

RPM related or speed related? If it happens when the engine is in park or neutral, then it's not some garbage stuck in your U-joints by the driveshaft, nor could it be anything in the wheels.

Have you really checked your engine bay? Check the accesory belt for any animals (I've seen snakes, rabbits, cats, squirrels you name it get chewed up in the engine bay)

If you still don't see anything, then start to get worried. It's probably internal. Could just be a piece of metal working its way through the engine, or could just be the flywheel's teeth stripped (if it occurs only while starting)

Since you have a 2003, you should still be under warranty, so sounds like a dealership visit is the best thing.

 

If it happens one time about two seconds after the engine starts, you are probably experiencing "AC slugging". On recent Rangers, AC compressor operation is enabled in most HVAC modes including AC, max AC, defrost, floor/defrost and floor/panel. If AC compressor operation is commanded by the PCM and other entry conditions are met, the compressor clutch engages shortly after the engine starts. All Rangers can exhibit AC slugging under the right circumstances but the 3.0Ls are more prone to it than 4.0Ls.

Slugging sounds like anything from a mild crunch to a very loud bang. There is usually a shake from the engine along with the sound. It is a nasty phenomenon but it is considered normal by Ford.

 

it just started doing it never did it before... and i really dont use ac or anything so ac isnt on when i turn it on.next time it does it ill look under the hood thanks for the advice

 

Reread what I posted. The AC compressor is operational in almost every mode. Unless you have an older Ranger, the compressor is allowed to run in every HVAC position except OFF, FLOOR only and VENT only. That means that it will run in any of the other 3 heat and defrost modes as well as when the AC or Max AC is on, regardless of the temperature setting.

 

I dont think it runs in regular floor either...
its off in floor or vent. at least on 2002.
but floor/vent it runs lol

Rand

 

That's what I originally thought, too. But I looked it up in both the 2002 and 2003 Ford Wiring Diagram Manuals and the function selector switch wire to the PCM is shown as hot in every mode except OFF and VENT. I can't check mine to be sure because I have the EATC.


****EDIT****

I checked the manual function selector switch that was removed from my 2003 for the EATC conversion. Despite what the 2003 Ford Wiring Manual says, the compressor clutch enable wire from the HVAC mode selector switch to the PCM is not hot in Floor Only mode. So, to clarify:

AC compressor clutch off:
Off
Panel Vent only
Floor only

AC compressor clutch engagement allowed:
Max AC
Normal AC
Defrost
Floor/Defrost
Floor/Panel

This means that if you start the engine with the HVAC mode switch in any of these last five modes, the compressor clutch is allowed to engage soon afterward.