Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

[Homerr]

2001 Ranger Supercab 4.0 SOHC, 66900 miles.<br /><br />My 'check engine' light came on while in town this morning. The truck seems to run just fine like it always does.<br /><br />My manual says it has something to do with the emission control system, gas cap being loose or poor quality gas?<br /><br />I checked the gas cap and it seems to be OK.<br /><br />The only thing I did the evening prior was fill up at a gas station I use all the time, so I can assume it isn't a bad gas problem... or maybe it is?<br /><br />Any ideas I can try that doesn't require a super-computer hooked to it?<br /><br />If it's a problem with the emission control system, then Ford will have to fix it as it would be a warranty issue.<br /><br />I'm just hoping I'm not hurting anything by driving it. I don't know when I'll have the time to get it to the dealer, especially with a 3-day holiday coming.<br /><br /><br />H.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Originally posted by Homerr:<br /> My manual says it has something to do with the emission control system, gas cap being loose or poor quality gas?<br />H.

The CEL illuminates when the ECU logs an out of spec voltage reading from ANY sensor that is being monitored, you'll need to read the codes to find out which one.<br /><br />Unless ECUs in the U.S. are different from Aussie ECUs.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Terry H]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

That's what you need to do Homerr, read the codes. There are some auto stores around that will do it for you. You manual may tell you how to read the codes yourself. Chief

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

The fuel cap being loose is only one cause for a MIL (malfunction indicator light)and a common one a consumer can rectify. That's why it's listed in the owners manuel.<br />A MIL is an emmision component failure light.<br /> Ifthere isn't any noticeable drivability/safety issues it is safe to continue to drive. It's recommended to contact your repair shop soon to identify/rectify the faults so your vehicle can continue to deliver maximum reliabilty/power/ and economy.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

If you can't get around to getting a free code check at least check your battery connections for being clean and tight as your battery is the weakest link in computer controlled vehicles, as low voltage can cause many false codes the computer reads voltage signals sent from sensors and if your voltage to start with from your battery is already low well False codes Battery condition and chargeing system are VERY IMPORTANT

 

[notinbig]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Homer, if the truck is running fine. I have disconected the battery for 12 hours to reset the computer. This only works if it is a "ghost" code meaning O2 sensor dropped voltage or something for a split second. My suburban does this light bit when I drive to the mountains, due to fuel air mixture being slightly off. If you do this and the light comes back rather quickly or right away there is a sensor that has gone. At your mileage I would bet my ASE certification on the O2 sensor.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

From what I've been reading... Sounds like you're right.. the O2 sensor may be ka-put.<br />I've also read it might be the EGR valve.<br /><br />My truck is still under warrany... Would those sensors/parts be considered a 'wear-out' item, or should it be covered under the warranty?<br />I bought the mother-load of warranties from Ford. Bumper to bumper. Just about everything is covered... Less the wear-out stuff belts/hoses etc...) <br />I thought I seen somewhere that if there is a problem anywhere with the emission control system, Ford has to fix it.<br /><br />I'm going to try and get to the dealer tomorrow to see if they can check it. <br /><br />I'll probably grab a code reader anyway. Sounds like I should have one in the toolbox. Ebay has them for around $30.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />H.

 

[JB]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Another possibility is the Air Mass Sensor in the throttle body.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Thanks JB...<br /><br />I'm kinda shooting in the dark without a diagnostic code... I'll get it checked tomorrow.<br /><br />Sure was a lot easier with the old cars that didn't have all the fancy computer hadrware!<br /><br />H.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Sometimes a loose gas cap can cause a fault code.<br />Before investing in any fault code fact finding.<br />Disconnect the battery for about 60 seconds.<br />On some Fords this will remove the fault code<br />and reset the check engine light. <br />It is worth a try.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Got a 2001 Taurus for my son to drive to school. It kept throwing the check-engine light. When I took it in, the tech. told me the only code which would indicate a problem when driving it, was the code which indicated a clogged cat. converter. Other than that, they all refer to emissions systems and driving without correcting wouldn't hurt anything.<br /><br />He also told me that I could disconnect the battery until doomsday and the code wouldn't be cleared. Not on this model.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Under Warranty??? Get it to the dealer. There are not any "wearable" items related to the check engine light. Wearable = belts, tires, brakes, light bulbs, filters.<br /><br />Be advised the dealer will attempt to sell you an additional service or two.<br /><br />Bob

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

If your going to get a code reader make sure it works on OBD2 systems the old OBD1 pre 1996 all you needed was a paper clip But you have OBD2 no such luck get the codes or your shooting in the dark hit and miss, the list of "MAYBE'S"is long

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Yes, I found an OBD2 scanner. It's on the way.<br /><br />I did the 'disconnect battery trick'... It turned the light out, however it came back on this afternoon.... Just as I was coming up to the dealer!<br /><br />The dealer said a code scanner will only give a code... then they have to pin-point. Well..Duh?<br />As before mentioned... they try and sell you other stuff.<br /><br />I'm betting it's an O2 sensor too, but my truck has 3 of them. Will the code scanner tell you which one is bad?<br />At $50 a crack, I need a pretty good idea which one is on the fritz.<br /><br /><br />H.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Some scanners will do muti-02sensors scans and say[ bank 1 sensor1-2-3or 4] bank2 sensor 1-2-3 or4 and older ones will only be good to tell you just single o2 sensor reading,New Vets have 4 per bank yours should have 2 if you have dual exhaust 2 sensors per bank ,single exhaust just 2 02 sensors one before catalic convertor and one after Bank 1 left side bank 2 right side engine looking from behind steering wheel You might want to do a visual check and see if a wire has loosened on any of your mutiable sensors under the hood or even loose wire connector plug, when you do get a code it could be anything like just a loose connector ,to a bad vaccum hose, to a bad sensor ,bad ground ,shorted wire all componants in the faulty circut must be checked At least the code will tell you the faulty circuit to check Sorry didn't preview before I hit the reply You have one 02 by each exhaust manifold and one after the cat

 

[Homerr]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

I was looking around yesterday under the truck. It has 2 sensors before the cat and one after.<br /><br />I didn't see any obvious loose wires.<br /><br />I left the battery disconnect all night and the CIL light was off all the way to work this morning. It didn't come back on until this afternoon when I went to lunch.<br /><br />All this is new stuff to me, and I really would like to know how it all works.<br /><br />I appreciate your help,<br /><br />H.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Interpreting computer codes can be a tricky subject, a code reader will tell you WHAT, but it won't tell you WHY.<br /><br />For example: If the code is an out of range MAP sensor then the map sensor code will be logged but the causes can be numerous and sometimes very difficult to find - Faulty MAP sensor, low vaccum, bad connection (computer/loom/earth/MAP etc), faulty ECU - even a faulty CEL circuit.<br /><br />IMO a tech who has a good ford background will already have a rough idea where to start looking, after all, he probably sees this everyday. Finding that tech is often harder than finding the fault <br /><br />Aldo

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Also, the dealer tech can experiment at putting in parts, and if it doesn't help, can put them back on the shelf. If you buy a part and install it, you bought it even if it doesn't fix the problem.

 

[HeadnSouth]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

Once you get the fault code just google the code "ford xxxxx" chances are you'll get the info you are looking for. You can then visit ford forums that will help you decifer what your problem is.<br />I just did the same thing 2 of my vehicles and it worked out well. get the code and get back to us.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any auto techs in the house? '01 Ranger check engine light came on!

When your engine is cold it is in Open Loop it is running on info from your temp sensor it runs on pre-determined values set at the factory {rich] Once it warms up to operating temp it goes in Closed loop and the o2 sensors start to work providing info to the computer and adjustments are made to timming ,fuel delivery,+++++ The computer recieves info from all sensor componants in what is called pluse width modulation and depending on the values changes are made The computer chip has these values that is why changing the chip changes the values[parimeters]Below is a link to look up auto terms and brief discription of their function you may have to click the links underlined for discription<br /> http://www.sromagazine.com/paris/dictionary/index.htm