Hi folks!

*** Note: I previously posted this in the wrong forum - my apologies! ***

I have a 1987 Ford Ranger with the 2.3L gas. It recently started running very rough on startup - very sluggish when shifting thru the first couple gears. I cleaned the throttle body and it ran better, but not perfectly. A few things I've read suggested the MAP sensor, so I replaced it, and for a day it ran very well. Went to start the next morning while fairly cold outside and nothing. A few sputters, but it wouldn't start. The next day when it was warmer it started and ran fine, so I let it idle for a couple hours to burn thru some of the older gas. The next day went to start it, nothing. I then replaced the fuel filter, no luck. Then tried a new IAP sensor for the heck of it, nothing. When cranking over it gives a few sputters, but won't start.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Aaron

 

Computer runs engine rich on cold start, colder the temp richer it needs to be, thats what Choke plate did on carb enegines.

Rich mix needs hot spark to ignite it, your '87 should still have distributor and TFI ignition system, I would look at that, TFI systems are very old now, wires and parts fail.
Good read here on the TFI system: Ford EEC-IV/TFI-IV Electronic Engine Control Troubleshooting

Not sure what an "IAP sensor" is?

Also as a heads up, when you do any work on a computer controlled engine, disconnect the battery's negative cable.
Yes, it is for safety, BUT..........this will also cause computer to reboot when restarted, it will then "look" for any changes to the system, like new sensors.
Computers learn engine operation, changes in sensor data as they get older, so if you replace a sensor computer won't see that right away, it runs engine using old data because new sensor data isn't the same.