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OT 98 Ford Ranger Ck Eng Light

G

Gary from Muleshoe

Well-known Member
I had a ck engine light on my Ranger, Auto Zone said it was the upstream O2 sensor, I changed it, took the battery cable off to reset things. After a little running light came back on, just figured it being as old as it is could be the downstream also. Never had it checked but yesterday as I started home from work I noticed the light went off. So I am thinking Auto Zone may have got it right after all.
 
It is my belief that anybody who owns an OBDII car (basically all cars built from '96-on) should own their own code reader. Amazon currently has the Autel MaxiScan MS300 reader (notice I said READER, not scanner) for $19.95, with free shipping if you bump the order to $25. Before all you super-techs jump all over me for that recommendation, yea, I know there are a lot of things that it won't do. However, it's something to use that might get you pointed in the direction of a simple fix. No, I'm not a big fan of Amazon, either.
Anyway, I'm glad they pointed you in the right direction.
 

some cars need to have code cleared with scanner , disconnecting battery don"t always erase them . If CEL was on , you may still have code stored ,just not hard hard . I"d recheck it just for giggles . Also ,,think "cause and effect " .
 
Code readers can lead to lots of mistakenly replaced parts. I've worked with techs who operate under the theory that "if it has the code it gets the part". Wrong! One needs to look at live data stream to make a good diagnosis. Ford products of this vintage are well known for vacuum leaks, dirty or bad mass airflow sensors, and fuel pressure issues. You really need to look at long term fuel trims to get an idea what is going on here. Either that, or keep tossing parts at it.
 
Husband kept getting a check engine light on his pickup... even after a sensor was replaced.

Turned out to be a very tiny crack in the gas tank. It was only detected by our mechanic by doing a smoke test on the gas tank. So we put a new gas tank in it. That took care of it.
 
What Ted said,

Just because you have a code set, it doesn't mean that you start throwing parts at it.

That just isn't how it works. A set code means that the computer is seeing something out of parameter.

At that point ya have to start looking as to why.

Allan
 
I had that problem on a 2001 Hyundai Elantra in 2006. The dealer couldn't find the problem so I told them to change the air filter. That fixed the check engine light. Hal
 
My daily driver junk pile (96 taurus) check engine light been been on about 5 years. Only question I have is why they can't make all the other lights last THAT long?
 
I have owned one for 10 + years, and use it all of the time, don't know what kind it is, but it has paid for itself multiple times.
 
My check engine light on my 97 Ranger has been for several years my friend tested it and it said my oxegen sensor was bad. Well I get almost two miles per gallon more now and when I want it to go it does. It's like having a brand new super engine in it. Will I get it fixed, I'm not that crazy yet.
Walt
 
Are you referring to the "Mechanics' Retirement Fund Light"? I have a '95 Ranger; the light has been on since about.....1996? The truck belonged to my very OCD wife; I don't know how much she spent at the Ford place trying to make that light go out. Nothing worked for long. I finally convinced her that as long as the oil, temp and charge indicators are mid-range she's pretty much OK. She would freak out, pull over to the side of the road and call me to come see about it until she finally accepted that it was just screwing with her.
 
I recently retreived codes from a 1997 gmc K1500 and it was for low 02 sensor activity and heater circuit. I actually did a live feed and watched that sensor, and it had WAY less activity then the others, so I'm going to replace it. I wouldn't waste my money relacing a post cat. sensor, it is only there to measure cat. effiency, and will have no effect on your mileage. If you're getting good mileage, and the truck is running good, just leave it alone.
 
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