your battery has outlasted its expected life, if it is starting to get weak it will likely still have plenty of juice to start the truck however once its running the PCM will not be getting enough voltage at idle to keep the truck running correctly (starting it puts a very large drain on the battery)

 

You could always check thee voltage on the battery after it gets started and see if it makes its way up a few volts with no accessories and then turn on as much as you can and see how much of a difference it makes. My D had the original battery in it for at least 8 years and you could tell it was on its last limbs when it would get cold out.

 

The problem only happens about 4 minutes after it starts and lasts for a few seconds. Other than that, the only big change is the gas usage.

 

Mine would rattle a few months ago only after i turned it on and before it was at hot operating temp. I just put some heet into the gas and the prob went away. Now i carry the stuff and add it everyother fill up. You could try that.

 

a battery going bad will make your rango do goofy things i would have the battery tested

 

what is heet?

 

Gas line antifreeze...yellow or red bottles. They have them at walmart, gas stations, and auto parts stores

 

I've used several products but I'll try again. Any chance it could be the converter?
When it wal below -5 I had no problems for two days.

 

it could be but have you had your battery checked yet

 

I've checked the battery with a volt meter and it all seems good. I'm not sure how the battery would account for the drastic change in gas usage.