truck runs bad

10

Asked by Rbagley70 Jul 16, 2013 at 09:42 AM about the 1997 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab Stepside SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

truck is running like crap. when i start it, it dies. when i drive
it it will idle for a minute then spit and sputter backfire and
die.
computer reads maf circuit high, system lean bank 1, tps
inconsistent with maf.
truck has:
brand new maf just replaced yesterday.
new plugs and wires
new sending unit.

the other day it was running fine. i shut it off and then it
wouldnt start.... i pop started it and it ran fine but no radio. i
got where i was going and played with the battery cables.
pos. was loose now the truck does start but the radio comes
and goes as it pleases.

3 Answers

58,505

Sounds like your truck needs a lot of TLC. I would start with the battery - have it tested and charged. Not with the Alternator, with a charger off of the car. Clean up all the battery cables and ground connections you can find. Getting a MAF code is well and fine but it doesn't tell you what's going on - only that the MAF has readings outside the design limits. Just changing parts because of codes is a bad - and expensive idea. What engine is in the truck? A v- 6 I take it from the "Lean bank one". Clean up the battery and such and start over.

85

check wiring harness to and from fuse panel

1 people found this helpful.
815

Cheapest first... check battery cables, clean them and look for any cracks/corrosion along the insulation (red/black wire cover). Basically, start at battery terminals, work your way back looking for any obvious signs of damage (wear/tear, looseness, maybe animal bite marks, maybe accident damage, so on...). Next, have a local parts house check the battery and alternator... Autozone or Orielly's usually does this for free, or if one near you (or your favorite) might, too. They can check these items without them being removed. Also check fuses.

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