I have a 02 Ranger 4.0 with 175K on it and this week it started stalling out when I go from Drive to Park or Neutral. It will re-start and idle fine, but once I go into drive and come back to park it stalls out, I can keep it running by giving it some gas but when I let off it will stall. In drive and reverse its fine, it does seem to have a low idle. I cleaned the IAC and MAF, replaced the fuel filter about 7K ago.

Anybody have any oter ideas, I would like to try and figure this out this weekend.

 

Same thing started happening to me a while back. I didn't mess with it and it quit. Never found out why

 

Happens to me too, but only when its really cold outside, weather warms up and the problem goes away. Been happening for years and years.

 

It's in the 30's here now, but it's so irratating I have to figure it out.

 

Pull the battery cable off for half an hour then restart it.
Let it idle when you restart and don't touch the gas pedal for at least 10 minutes.
The PCM will re-learn where it should idle.

 

I think I found it. As I was doing what OTRtech said, while it was running I was looking around and listening to the engine, I found that what I think is the PCV valve (drivers side back of valve cover) fell out of the valve cover. It seems like a very loose fit, maybe the gromet it bad too. Gonna pick up a new PCV valve tomorrow. I'll let you know for sure then if that was it.

 

I highly doubt that was the cause. The pcv valve is just a vent essentially. It almost sounds like your torque converter is having issues unlocking.

 

it still could be the IAC. My truck had similar symptoms and cleaning the IAC didn't help but replacing it did.

 

One of the two fixed it. Either reflashing the computer or plugging the PCV valve back in. Thanks it's back to running like it should.

 

Try cleaning your MAFS, mine was almost stalling, and that cured it right away.

 

2003 ford xlt ranger 4.0 . starts runs great untill i get to the store . come out and it will not start just turns over and sputters . very fustraing this summer. took it to three diffent garages they coulnt find any thing wrong. check the fuel pump chaned the fuel filter . new battery only 40,000 miles on it anybody can help thanks

 

Disconnect the battery & see, if not try the TPS, disconnect the batter While replacing. Ive went through 6 TPS sensors in 200k.

 

I couldn't hardly believe it was such a simple fix, but I disconnected the battery after temperatures wrose and recranked my truck and let run and that worked.

 

I created an account with this forum just to respond here that the fix posted by OTRtech worked perfectly for me. I was having the exact same issues as OP with my 2002 Ranger. Solved the problem immediately. No more stalling. Thanks.