Hello!

I'm new to the forum, so I hope I'm in the right place. I have an Automatic 2009 Ranger XLT Regular Cab with about 112,000 miles on it. I've been having this reoccurring issue where my truck has trouble getting up to speed after being at a stop light for a few minutes. I can barely get it to move for about 10-15 seconds even if I push the pedal to the floor. It always eventually gets up to speed and then it runs fine. I've taken it to a few shops and they can't seem to figure out the issue. Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum

Could be the start of a transmission issue, you have a 5R44E model transmission in a 2009 2.3l Ranger
Try shifting in to 1st/2nd manually and see if starts off better, then shifting back into D once you are moving
The computer engages Coast Clutch in 1st/2nd(manually) but only uses the one-way clutch(sprag) when in D to get moving, the one-way clutches on any automatic can wear out, not a Ford thing, just an automatic thing

Does it do the same slow acceleration with both cold engine and warm engine, or just warm engine?
Could be computer is "choking" the engine too much after warm up, but you would notice a reduction in MPG, noticeable reduction

 

Thanks for getting back to me! Ok, I can try that, but it happens so intermittently. Is that something I would have to do every time it happens?

It seems like it happens at the first stop light I get to after the truck has been sitting for a while. When the engine has been running for a while it seems like the issue goes away.

Also, I have noticed when the issue happens the rpm starts dropping even when I have my gas pedal floored. I dropped it in neutral the last time it happen then back up to drive and the car started moving normally

 

also, I have noticed a reduction in MPG. I thought I was mainly because of it being summer and having the ac constantly on. I would say 50 to 100 miles less per tank of gas

 

Shifting to 1st is just a test, so yes do that at the "........first stop light I get to after the truck has been sitting for a while"

Was the transmission ever serviced, i.e. new filter and fluid?
At 112k miles and 14 years old, it maybe time to do that

 

I just had an inspection and the transmission fluid came back clean. I haven't got a transmission service since I got the truck 4 years ago.

 

I guess they didn't drop the pan and check/change the filter and look for debris in the pan?

You can check the fluid yourself just by pull out the dipstick and looking at it, and smelling it, lol, burnt smell is bad
But it wouldn't ID a failing one-way clutch

Do the shifting and see how that works

 

Ok I will try that. I might just go ahead and get the transmission serviced since I haven't done it yet.

Could this problem be caused by a loose gas cap? I noticed my gas cap was barely tightened on and since I've tightened it the problem seems to have stopped. Might just be a coincidence, but I figured I'd ask. I went to change the fuel filter yesterday. I ended up disconnecting the inertia switch for the fuel pump to depressurize the fuel system. I didn't end up changing the filter. because when I went to disconnect the old filter it started spraying gas. I had a pan, but I didn't wanna risk getting gas everywhere since I was in a friend's driveway lol.

 

After disconnecting inertia switch you needed to start the engine, it would then stall when remaining fuel pressure was gone, you can also pull out fuel pump relay or fuel pump fuse in engine bay fuse box, but still need to start the engine to get rid of remaining pressure in the system

No, I wouldn't expect loose gas cap to cause a slow acceleration issue, EVAP system codes yes

 

Hmmm, I did start the engine and it did stall out.