Hello, I recently bought a 2002 Ranger 2.3, 5 speed, AC and the 'Check Engine' light has been on. The code says 'Intake Maifold Runner' and the dealer's mechanic found a cracked vacuum hose - replaced it and reset the OD and the light is now off

However... Now the throttle is pretty hard to open - like it's stuck, causing the truck to lurch uncomfortably. I thought perhps I could lube it or replace the cable. But the problem only exists when the engine is RUNNING! Throttle is free as a bird when the engine is off !

Is this some vacuum thing? Can I fix it without going back to the dealer?

Thanks.

 

this happens after someone washes the engine down. take a can of your favorite lube and squirt some on the throttle shaft bushings, should fix it right away.

 

No. like i said, it is smooth when the the egine is off. it's not from friction

 

Do you have cruise control?

 

my bad. a little lube can't hurt

 

If you don't get an answer here, or figure it out on your own, I'd have it towed to the nearest Ford dealer and let them fix it. That's a dangerous problem you have there. Just trying to keep you and others on the road safe.

Good luck with it.

 

The extra pressure on the throttle blade due to the vacuum behind it with the engine running can cause it to get sticky in the bushings it rotates in. Lube it up, and if that doesn't do it, replace it. It's only 4 bolts.

-Joe

 

Actually, I must apologize. The problem seems to be sticky opening throttle whether it's running or not (yesterday seemed to be free when it was off, but I was wrong). So it is a friction thing - not vacuum related as I first said.

I sprayed some aerosol lithium white greese on the outside, no remedy. Should I take the air intake duct off and try spraying the inside?

Thanks.

 

wd-40 told ya

 

Is that 'Yes. take it apart and spray it on the inside' ?

 

On mine, after a couple of spray downs at the car wash the throttle stuck at idle. One shot on the outside did the trick. Try a thin lube that will work its way in. Avoid lube from the inside, don't want that stuff to collect dirt and grind itself in.

 

Maybe I'm missing something here but, after the dealer worked on the IMRC the throttle started sticking. Since they are both assoiated with the intake manifold and since the problem started after the dealer worked on it, I would inspect it closely to see what the dealer may have "screwed-up".

 

Spraying lube on the outside of the the throttle body didn't fix my problem as the inside has some black carbony, sticky stuff that was keeping the butterfly from opening freely and yes, this was worse under vacuum. I scraped the edges of the butterfly and throat of the body with a knife and sprayed WD-40 all throughout and that made it all well.

 

Its the power of WD40!!!

 

To avoid getting dirt buildup due to spraying lube in that area, next time try using some throttle body cleaner instead. No residue left behind.

SL