1988 Ford Ranger Rough Idle Surging FIX !!!!

It's been getting worse over the years but "I'm an excellent driver" so I just adapted to the ever evolving changes of the 2.9 beast that lies within. That is until she didn't idle at all last week. Where did that quote come from?
Exploring Alabama
PO BOX 104
DeArmanville, AL, 36257

Check out Exploring Alabama Jr. !!!!

My Gear:

[spagsketti]

Worked like a charm. Only I just went out back and pulled my new one off a f150 that is one of many vehicles my landlord has that are broke down. Now my 1985 Ford Ranger idols about as good as I have ever seen. Thanks for posting this. ^ years ago.

[slo]

its always nice when u find someone with your same truck and same issue, thank u!

[Terminxman]

I've had a couple late 80s/early 90s fords and what sucks is there are like 3-4 main things that can cause the surging idle and with OBD1 it makes it harder to figure out without manually testing each sensor, but it seems to be map sensor, IAC valve, EGR valve, or TPS

[dbrownjr.]

I also have an 88 2.9. Mine was surging when cold then cutting off. But, once it got warm, it ran great. Come to find out, I had a broken injector wire in the very back.
Crimp it. It's been great ever since.

[aRustyPatina]

Same setup as my '92 f150. Went through 3; went bad immediately after rain. Made a panel of metal like a diverter shield to keep water from hitting the map sensor from below. No problems since. Using the same Borg-Warner Map sensor as you are. Don't loose your receipt. O covered all 3 times w/out issue.
Will

[TexasSheepdawg]

LOL. I bought a 88 Ford Ranger brand new off the dealership lot back in 1988! It was a great little truck. Mine was only a 2WD but had the extended cab and manual shift transmission. It was a nice ride. But I had to get more power in 1994 when I bought a bass boat so I sold it and bought a 1994 ranger with the 4.0 liter V6 extended cab. It was okay. But I still love my 2005 Ram 2500 Diesel.

[chrisherrick]

Well, after I bought a full tune up kit and new fuel injectors, I saw this video and bought a map sensor. Fixed my idle problem on the first start and my check engine light went off! Thank you!! Anyone need some parts 😆

[Kelly-ykfc]

always disconnect your battery when dealing with sensors, this allows your ECU to learn the new sensor and it will prevent shorting stuff out..

[jeffnelson]

I had an 87 with similar problems, I told the guy that bought it and he bought it anyway. I dont know what was causing it to act up but I guess he did. Good luck.

[CKGM]

This helped me on my 88 ranger, mine would even stall at stop lights. at that time i was starting it with a screwdriver on the solenoid to boot, this part saved me many more embarrassing stops.

[dickforde]

I tried everything to get my motor running properly. Finally we found out that the 2 electric fuel pumps had corroded connections, As soon as we cleaned the first pumps connections it started to run more smoothly and by the time we cleaned the one for the pump in the tank it ran better than it has for 5 years.

[JohnLagow]

I have a 1989 2.9 L V6. The MAP sensor is partially inside the firewall, It looks like 2 screws are holding a bracket that contains the sensor. Is that what yours looked like before you took it apart? Or did something change in 1989?

[porkfied]

Thanks for the tip, if I can find one cheap I might try this.I hate to be a parts changer but sometimes mechanics can screw up your vehicle too.

[spermdonar]

That thing might help my old Astro...thanks for the info o' engine whisperer

[robplotts]

My buddie had one the little hose looks like windshield squirter hose on the fuel pressure regulater was vacuum collapsed the truck would run but no giddieup. Check out the little hose im talkin about. If it's crusty swap it out too. Its only a couple inch piece. Happy maintaining

[mudhumper]

I’ve got an old 88 ranger that does the same thing, only when it’s cold out. I should try out one of those sensor and see if she comes back to running normal.

[caseyostrander]

This sounds just about exactly like what my ’92 Ranger with a 4.0 is doing. When she idles, she drops down to about 800 RPM, jumps up to 1300, then back down to 800, then back up to 1300 and on and on it goes... I’ll check the Haynes manual and see if it has one and if so, where it is. Thanks!

[jamesprice]

SAME EXACT symptom on my 87 Bronco II, thx man!

[jfreid]

Dude, my 86 Ranger 2.9 was missing and rough idle ran rich, fixed it with a distributor cap/rotor, perfecto.. then it did it again 3 months later changed the same MAP sensor you did it worked again, 1 day later, idle is too low so keeps dying and has rich black smoke? any ideas? yours responded great! Thanks for posting

[ytoal]

I replaced, that, and a rebuilt distributor, TPS, MAP etc, runs well now!