I recently bought a Ford Ranger 2001, problem is when I hit a pothole the CEL would come on quick and go off right away but the theft light comes on as well and takes about 3 seconds to go away. When this happens I have to press the gas pedal or the vehicle would stall if I don’t. The engine goes immobilize but the RPMs do go up. I was looking around for bad grounds and bad connections when I happen to tap my fuse box on top and the engine stall. The previous owner didn’t mention anything about this and honestly I need this truck as it’s the only thing I have to get to work. Any ideas what could be wrong with it? Thanks.

 

Welcome to the forum

Your description reads like you are losing electrical power, at least to the Computer(PCM) but maybe the whole engine bay fuse box
There are two red wires going into engine fuse box, one from battery positive and one from alternator
All 12v power is at this one connection in engine fuse box, but BOTH wires would have to disconnect to lose all 12v power

Go here to get your 2001 owners manual: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

It has both fuse box layouts

Start engine
Open engine fuse box and wiggle fuses and tap on relays to see if you can make it stall or stumble
A failing relay can "open" when you hit a bump
PCM relay would be the only one that could cause the symptom

But a corroded or loose wire connection under the fuse box could as well, which is why tapping and wiggling should be done to try and localize where to look

 

Thank you for replying, I took a look under my truck and notice the crankshaft harness that connects to the sensor was broken, there was nothing holding the 2 together tightly. I replaced it and re wire it and truck turned on with no hesitation previously it would crank crank crank and hesitate to turn on, I’m not sure if the broken harness was to blame for my stalling. I barely check the forum right now it’s 10pm I’m going to do what you told me tomorrow to hopefully get to the bottom of this problem. Thanks again!

 

Crank sensor is THE MAIN sensor, about the only sensor that can stall a running engine and prevent start up, they rarely fail, but loose wires..........................that can happen more often

 

im going to drive it tomorrow hopefully that was the issue.

 

No idea what that connector is for?

Was it Crank sensor?
Grey wire and dark blue wire

You can buy new connectors to replace broken ones

 

Yes it was for the crank shaft sensor, I replaced it but I haven’t had a chance to drive it to see if that was the issue. I turned it on this morning and shifter was super hard and wouldn’t move past park, it turns out it was a fuse but it was too late to replaced it my Uber was at the door and I had to get to work, we’ll see after work today.