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Check engine light?

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 39,000 MILES
2002 Ford Ranger, mileage: 39,000. I have been to the shop twice for the check engine light coming on. Each time it was an O2 sensor, first one before the catalytic converter then the one after went. Now the lights are on again. ( Ford Ranger extended cab.)

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Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 7:18 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
Your truck’s computer controlled engine management system will "light" the check engine light and store a fault code for the Oxygen sensor when there is a problem. This may occur if the fuel mixture is too lean or too rich and beyond the adjustment limits of the computer. For example, a vacuum leak or plugged fuel filter may cause a lean condition.

This guide can help us find the codes so we can fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Excess fuel pressure from a failed fuel pressure regulator would result in a rich condition. Check and correct any of these or similar problems, i.e. leaking intake manifold gaskets, severely plugged air filter, incorrect location of vacuum lines. The oxygen sensors maybe okay.
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Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
CHANDLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
Autozone pulled a code 171 and 174 for me. I replaced a mass airflow sensor and all was good for 2 days, now check engine light is back on and a hissing noise from the intake area idles rough and same 171 and 174 codes have been pulled at auto zone. Whats my next step? Possible vacum leak?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hissing sound indicates a vacuum leak and will caused a lean fuel condition to pop those codes

1. Vacuum leaks
2. EGR and PCV valve.
3. Low fuel pressure.
4. Dirty fuel injectors.
5. Mass Air Flow Sensor.
6. Oxygen Sensor.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUMP20
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 152,152 MILES
Just got an inspection done, never had a problem with the truck, but the day it comes out of the shop my check engine light comes on. Cleared the codes and it still returns, main concern is that really whatever gear im in if I keep it at 2000 rpm the truck jerks back and forth, cant figure it out. Doesnt do it at anyother range
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Take it back the mechanicn may have unplugged something an dforgot about it and forgot to plug it back in. You'll have to get teh code fixed as that's why the truck is probably jerkin g like you say it is.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:02 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TACONIPS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 101,444 MILES
My truck randomly starts skpping while i'm driving like there isn't any fuel going to the engine or something and then it straightens back up and acts normal but occasionally it will shut off and i'll have to wait a couple minutes to crank it back up. This last time my check engine light came on but I couldn't find anything wrong with it I took it to a mechanic and he said it was the cam-shaft sensor. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Did the mechanic scan the computer to identify that is was the cam sensor? If he did and that is the code from the computer, it is nothing more than unbolting and replacing the sensor itself.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LSZKOTAK81
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
Ford Ranger 2002, 93,000 miles 2wd, 4cyl. I recently had one of the Oxygen Sensors replaced on my Ford Ranger. The check engine light had been on. After the new O2 sensor was put in the check engine light went off. I drove it around a little bit (a day or two) and now the check engine light is back on. I don't know if it is for the same code or not, but when the mechanic was checking the 02 sensor he said something like the O2 sensor wasn't reading anything and it could possibly be something wrong with the trucks computer. I just bought this truck used and I am worried that this is going to be something major wrong with the vehicle. Any advice? I am making arrangements to have the code read again ASAP to address this issue.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Firstly an engine code reading is normally free, if not a couple of dollars for it. So do not feel you need to pay a hundred dollars everytime you want your code read, please dont jump into replacing computers and stuff, these dealers love to throw parts at your expense, go for second and or third opinion and you can go to autozone for a simple computer scan. Do a scan and let me know what the codes are.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JLAWRENCE2529
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
I have replaced all plugs, wires, coil pack, fuel injectors and also had a valve test done, truck stiill runs back & not firing on cylinders #3 & #5 Sirs What Is Wrong with my truck
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Are you getting spark and fuel to those cylenders?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KSBLOOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I would have a compression test done. My 2003 ranger 192000 miles V6 was loosing power uphill, engine light codes read misfire on 2 cylinders. Now it reads misfire on 5 cylinders after 3 months and replacing plugs and wires. I got a compression test and sure enough I have little to no compression on a few cylinders. It is not the head gasket because there isn't water in the oil. The heads on the Rangers are notorious for wearing down in the valve sleeve area. A valve job for mine will run me about $1500 out the door.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIEN1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
Computer problem
2002 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 60K+ miles

I have reset the light but it is back on as fast as I reset it. I have a heavy exaust odor which I didn't have prior to the light coming on. The truck run beautifully, excellent performance.
Thanks for your help.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.

Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free. Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,176 MILES
Check engine light is on, I changed the oil, someone told me that the spark plugs would cause the check engine light to come on. Is this true?
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:04 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
It could be your plugs but there is no way to know for sure. There are literally hundreds of things that could turn the engine light on. You need to go to a part store and have them check for codes. It's free most of the time.
Once you have the code(s), come back here and we can start troubleshooting.
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Friday, November 27th, 2020 AT 10:05 AM (Merged)

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