Truck dies when i put it in gear

when did it last run good, last week, last year or nobody knows/
that is good one, odd for sure that. NO scan tools work 1995 ,
2.4L stick shift. M/T
well the engine has no idea at all what gear you are in.
so my guess is, yes engine is overloading, (reverse is better )
means engine power is super super weak.
because REV has a higher numerical RATIO gear. than 1st.
so seem have more power. in REV.
sputters up is not a norm car term, but can me 2 things

• gross engine misfire.
• or the clutch slips. (RPM Rises but MPH goes slower.?

the engine dies/ DEAD, 0 RPM? that be>>>>
MY BEST GUESS BLIND, IS ENGINE IS:

• ENGINE IS FLOODING , SMELL FUEL? injector leaks.
• SPARK IS BAD,
• OR FUEL FLOW LOSS. LEAN BURN STALLS.
• Bad fuel, (old fuel was there before or now?).

there are lots of actual caused (parts bad)
spark parts all are old aND NO GOOD NOW. PLUGS/WIRES HV,CAP ROTOR HAS DISTRIBUTOR? YES IT IS.
BAD FUEL OR LOW FUEL PRESSURE OR CLOGGED FUEL OR AIR FILTERS.
all above assumes actual engine is ok, compression tests pass.
that is all I can figure out , not seen or driven me.
I can no see RPM and MPH dials or hear the engine sputter.

This could be a bad ground on the ECM. When it is in park it is open loop. When you put it in gear, the ecm goes closed loop with the oxygen sensors and with no ground it dies.

Check your plugs, wires, distributor cap/rotor, fuel filter, and air filter.

If I had to take a guess, I would try replacing the Distributor Cap & Rotor, as well as the Fuel Filter. Also, try running some Gumout Fuel Injector Cleaner and a tank of good gas through it.

I hope this helps! Best of luck to you :-)

Best Regards,

James

do you have some trouble code to give us?
what is the fuel pressure?
Dwell!!!!! how can you adjust dwell on this vehicle. the distributor have only a cam sensor and can be check only whit a scanner!

Diagnostic code produces P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold-Bank 1. Probable causes are listed as follows:
1-air leak in exhaust before rear 02 sensor, 3-Fuel system fault,
4-faulty catalytic converter.

PROBLEM COULD BE LOOSE WIRE TO DISTRIBUTOR OR DISTRIBUTOR COIL IS BAD OR YOUR GAS COULD HAVE WATER IN IT.

why do you need to remove the filler cap when the car is running???
There is a seal around the distributor. Mark where the distributor is and remove it. Then replace the seal. Put it back together in the same location as before you removed it. It is also possible that your valve cover gasket is leaking and dripping on the distributor.
Cooling problem: Try washing the outside of the radiator where the cooling fins are. Spray it down with a really good degreaser and rinse it off. WARNING: Do NOT use high pressure because you will need a new rad after.

if its a five speed I can safely assume its not an automatic
good that makes it a bit easier

so you have a manual trans that makes the truck miss
that hardly seems possible
but try this
next time it does this keep your foot at same point on throttle(not floored)
and push in on clutch
does engine die
or does truck smooth out
if it dies you have an ign problem on engine
if it smooths out you have a gear case/transfer case or clutch problem

if it turns out to be the engine
ck the distributor cap for cracks
place strong light bulb inside cap ( remove it first) no need to remove all the wires
look for light on outside of cap

I had a guy bring me a 05 ranger that did all sorts of weird stuff
like not running if it was raining outside
starts right up but ran rough so bad you could not even get it in gear
and yep you guessed it the distributor cap was broke
(so bad you could see spark comming out the side )
15 bucks for a cap

Leave distributor in. Bring the #1 back up to TDC. Do not tighten the distributor. Start the truck (turn distributor as needed to keep truck running) - put the timing light on the crankshaft until you see the marks again (may have to manually turn with the light on the marks, to bring that back up to sight view). Once you see the marks, lign then up with the light. Adjust the distributor as needed until engine runs smooth. Make sure too that the rotor in the distributor is facing the #1 plug on the cap, and make sure the plug wires are numbered correctly from plug to cap.