So I am having a problem with my ranger where it will start jerking for a few secs on the interstate when I am accelerating to about 45-60mph. It stops right around the time that my speed stabilizes. About six months after this started I had to get my catalytic converters replaced, so I thought that might have been the cause but it is still happening. The spark plugs and coils are only about a year old so I don't know if it would be that. Plus I keep checking my codes, but I'm only getting a P0442 which isn't really telling me what could be causing the misfiring. I'm fairly new to doing my own basic truck repairs, so I have no idea where to really start since I don't have a code. Any insight would greatly help!!!

 

Is this problem happening under hard acceleration or light acceleration?

What engine do you have?

The code is for a Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak )

Could be anything from a loose or bad seal at the gas cap or filler neck to a leak in one of the hoses, loose fitting canister vent solenoid etc.

A good inspection of the Evaporative Emission Control System may reveal the problem.

What spark plugs and wires did you use?

If the problem happens under light acceleration, just one example of a rare but possible issue may be a weak EGR valve return spring.

A weak EGR valve return spring can cause the valve to open prematurely and can cause a slight surging feeling while under light acceleration.

 

Welcome to the forum

What engine do you have in your 2001 Ranger?
There were 4 different models
2.5l Lima 4cyl
2.3l Duratec 4cyl
3.0l Vulcan V6
4.0l SOHC V6

A good new tool to have if your just starting out, or even an old hand at repairs, is a OBD2 Bluetooth reader.
Google: OBD2 Bluetooth reader

These work on ANY vehicle sold in the US or Canada since 1996, so not a Ford thing or even a "made in US" thing, ANY vehicle sold had to be OBD2 compliant by 1996

OBD=on board diagnostics, it is a computer language

OBD2 is the language used since 1996

OBD scanners hook to the OBD2 port in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, using a wire, they can read the codes, if any, and also see Live data while engine is running.
But a good one can get expensive.

The Bluetooth version is wireless and YOU supply the display screen to view data(the expensive part), you can use your smartphone, tablet or laptop as long as it has Bluetooth, as the display
OBD2 Bluetooth readers run $25-$65

The software/APP is free or $5 for more advanced versions

You can see Live data while driving, and watch different data while engine stumbles which might point you to the trouble.

 

Hey guys! So this issue is happening under hard acceleration. I replaced the EGR valve last summer when I first started getting the code that turned out to be the issue catalytic converters.

My engine is a 4.0l SOHC V6. The spark plugs I used were Motorcraft SP-440 Spark Plug AGSF34FP and the wires were also Motorcraft.

Question about the OBD2 Bluetooth reader. So when I launch to app and start looking at the live data, what should I be looking for and what is this going to tell me once I see it?

 

You most likely have two problems.

I like to address the known problem before addressing the possible problem first.

Meaning to me it does not matter if your Check engine light and code is capable of causing your symptom under heavy acceleration or not.

I would address the P0442 Diagnose and repair this issue before trying understand or diagnose the symptom under heavy acceleration.

As shown in the second video I shared here, you can read freeze frame data to help determine what conditions the engine was in when the check engine light came on.

You may get lucky and find it was under heavy acceleration when the problem was found that caused the check engine light to come on.

Meaning it may be possible to kill two birds with one stone.

I am not familiar with the Bluetooth app controlled scanner, I do not know what limitations it will have.

Normally the entry level cheaper scan tools will limit the amount of data you can read.

To be fair I only have experience with higher end computer diagnostic tools in a shop environment, plus a few less expensive hand held scan tools that are not much use than more than retrieving and clearing codes.

RonD may be helpful in pointing you to a good Bluetooth scanner.

Like he said they can get expensive.

Yet I am sure the cost would be minimal compared to sending your truck in to get it diagnosed and repaired.

P0442 is a code that shows your truck has a small leak in the Evaporative Emission Control System ( Do you know what system this is? )

The Evaporative Emission Control System is easier explained in these videos than I can try to explain it.


These two videos may be helpful in diagnosing and repairing the code.yet you may have search further than this tech had to in order to find the leak.

 

Those are some great resources! Thanks for giving me a starting point.

 

Not sure if you found the problem yet or not, but I thought I'd just throw this out. A long time ago, I had a Marlin that did just that. I was on my way to work and it started loping and shaking. I thought It was falling apart as it felt like the entire front end was falling off. But, it only did it at about 50MPH. I slowed down, and took it to a friend at Goodyear and he said he knew exactly what the problem was. One of the balance weights had fallen off one of the wheels. He balanced the tires and I had no more trouble.