Surging

1998 FORD RANGER
95,000 MILES • 2.3L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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The other day it started surging, kind of like it is not getting gas. I manually opened the butterfly valve in the throttle body and it runs better, still surging but not dying out. Has a new fuel pump and filter, relay is good.

I can't drive it. I give it gas and it just revs up and dies back down sometimes stalling.

Any suggestions?
Jul 1, 2017 at 12:10 PM
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Hello,

This sounds like a classic MAF sensor problem, when these sensors fail they may or may not set a code so it is difficult to tell if they are not working right.

Here is a guide that should help you get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-mass-air-flow-sensor-maf

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-surges

Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

Jul 3, 2017 at 1:38 PM
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I checked the IAC Solenoid and it tested as bad. Not sure if that is it yet.
Jul 3, 2017 at 2:43 PM
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Please let us know what happens, we are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
Jul 4, 2017 at 11:22 AM
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Well, it wasn't the IAC solenoid. I guess the info I found on how to test it was wrong. Guess I'll check into the MAF. Don't know if this will add anything to the diagnosis but when I start it if I hold the gas down it will rev up then die back to an idle then rev back up then back to idle. It just keeps doing that without me moving the throttle
Jul 7, 2017 at 8:33 AM
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Another though comes to mind as well. If you have a partially plugged exhaust it can cause this. Here is a guide that will help you confirm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
Jul 7, 2017 at 7:31 PM