ranger 8 having alot of problems.

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I have a ranger 8 that I have had for 5 years. As of right now when I go to weld the machine acts like it idles down. It will still weld just not get hot enough. When you use the grinder it does not idle down. All of this is on high idle. On auto idle the machine will not idle up while welding. But will with the grinder. If you try to let it sit at low idle it will die. I have had problems in the past with the auto idle not working and it was the wire leading from polarity switch to the electrode. I used it on high idle until I fixed it and it worked fine but not now.   Another problem is when I try to start it. It will act like the battery is dead and the starter will click sometimes and sometimes not do anything. I have fixed the post and cleaned them but still doing it sometimes. Sometimes it will crank fine.  If anybody knows anything on any of these problems please help I use the machine for a side buisness and this is my busiest time of the year.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:Kyle,Have you checked the connections for that weld sensing wire from the polarity switch to the electrode output stud again?  Could be the same problem if you didn't use something to prevent corrosion from forming.On the starter issue, have you checked the cable connections at the starter and the ground at the engine/chassis?  What you've described sounds like a bad connection at the starter or battery cable ground.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I checked the wire at the polarity switch but not the stud yet. When it started idling down when you strike a arc even with switch on high idle it through me off because I have never had that happen. Then while trying to find out what was wrong it started dieing when you would put it on auto idle and it would idle down.  But does not die when it idles down welding.
Reply:I will check that wire when I get a chance though and get back to ya and let ya know thanks for the iput
Reply:What's the machines code# and which engine?  Onan, Kohler or Honda?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Definitely need to know what engine and how many hours. Mine had the 20hp Kohler, and like yours I started to have problems and it turned out to be the engine. After throwing money and parts at it no more bogging down when welding! I sold mine shortly after that. Run a compression check, might be the heads, lifters, pushrods, etc, Kohler had several updated parts that fixed these troublesome issues.ESAB Rebels 215 and 235, ESAB HELIARC 281i, ESAB ET 301i, Hypertherm 85 and 45XP, Thermal Arc 185, TD 60i, HTP PRO PULSE 300
Reply:Sorry guys been a long week at work it has the Onan engine 592 hrs on machine
Reply:OK i have now cleaned put every part in the carb that I could and the welder is running good and will idle down and stay ruining where it would die before.  I have tried welding with it on auto idle and it will idle up then idle back down after a sec. With the welder on high idle when you strict a arc it will idle down.  Atleast I am almost positive it is idling down and not bogging the engine down.  It will carry a arc but it is like you have it turned all the way down.   Can anybody please point me in another direction. The only thing I can think of is the board but hate to buy one and that not be it.
Reply:It sounds as if the Onan might be running on only one cylinder.Pull the plug wires off one at a time and see if it dies with one or the other off.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I will try that in the morning it just seems to be running to good for that but I will get back with you when I try it.   Thanks for the help
Reply:Pulled both plug wires and it continued to run so everything is good there but it's not wanting idle down when not doing anything.  It will for a sec then idles right back up. One thing I have noticed that on the board the 4 bottom yellow deals. 3 of then are black in the middle of them. And the last one looks normal.Equipment:Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln Power Mig 255Miller Diversion 165Hypertherm Powermax 45Victor Pro Series Torch setTons of other shop supplies
Reply:Still having these problems again. Anybody have anything else I can try before I take it to the shop.
Reply:Sounds like our wonderful ethanol laced gas is messing you up. It may be fuel lines carb parts etc. I switched mine to SEF 94 non-ethanol small engine fuel and took care of that problem.
Reply:Did you check the wire behind the output stud?Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Yes. I have checked the wire a couple of times. Before when my auto idl quit it was that wire. So I was hoping that was what was wrong. But now it is not working with the grinder and won't even idle down besides when you strike a arc.