I have a '93 Ford Ranger XLT with the 2.3 liter 4 cyl engine. Whenever I start my truck the engine seems to lose RPMs for a second and it sounds like its going to stall. In a few seconds it returns to normal rpms at idle. The truck just sounds really weak like its about to die.

Also im having a problem with my starter. I replaced it and the connections from the wire to the starter. I have to pop the clutch to start it, but if i turn it off and start it right away, it will start. If I let it sit, it wont start.

Thanks, Patrick

 

Sounds like the IAC might be sticking. Try removing and cleaning it, or simply replace it.

My other thought is your fuel pump checkvalve is bad. Try turning the key to ON for 3 sec (listen to hear the fuel pump "prime"), then Off, repeat x3, THEN crank and start it. If THAT helps your idle stabilize, it's fuel starvation. You can replace the fuel pump to fix that, but turning the key on/off a few times is free.

I'd physically check all the grounds for the starter problem- block to battery terminal, battery terminal to chassis, etc. If the positive side needed replaced, so does the ground side. I've seen some vehicles that use a starter mount bolt as a ground lug.

You could test with a good jumper cable: Connect one end to the neg bat terminal and the other to the starter case. If that eliminates your starter problem, you have poor grounding.

 

dont know if you fixed this or not but the same thing happened to my 2.5L it was surging like that when i was at idle i ran a scan tool on my truck cuz the check engine light was one and the EGR code came up so i checked it and it was stuck open
so i rplaced it and and now it runs like a champ