Hello all,
I have a 1986 Ranger 2.9l 2wd 5spd. The last 6 months or so, whenever I start it with the engine cold, my truck jerks and litterally throws me back and forth when accelerating. For a while, I just learned to deal with it, but it's getting worse now. Around 2000 RPM's the engine hesitates, and for a split second seems to cut off. It'll rev freely to the 2-2400 range, then stop for a hair, drop a hundred or so rpms, then' rev just fine once you get it past the 2400 range. I was leaning torward it being some sort of weird drivetrain/clutch engagement quirk, but I've recently discovered that when in neutral, the engine does the same cut out/ stumble. No jerking of the truck since the RPM inconsistancies don't reach the drive train. Also, When it is warmed up, it will idle high (aroung 15-1700 range. My solution for this is to quickly cycle the key off and back on which brings the idle back down toward 900. Maybe the problems are linked? Please help me figure this one out! I love this truck, and am in the process of painting it and when it looks excellent, I would like it to drive as such.

 

anyone?