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97 Ranger running lean with no vacuum leak. HELP!

9K views 26 replies 10 participants last post by  Daniel 
#1 · (Edited)
I've replaced just about everything other then the wiring harness.

Its a 97 Ranger, it came with the 2.3L but now has a 2.5L due to hydro locking the old engine. The 2.5L has around 30k on it and is out of a 99.

I keep getting the CEL code 1443 off and on, the truck gets poor gas mileage, around 10-14mpg. It has 4.10 gears and 33" tires, but that shouldn't make it that bad, it does 70mph at 2500rpms and doesn't struggle much in 5th gear on the highway.

I've checked the wiring going to the purge valve and everything is fine, the valve is also fine and only a year or two old.

When I first start the truck. If I rev the engine above 3k it will shake really bad for about 30-60seconds and the exhaust smells like pure gas.

It could be the fuel pump or maybe an injector, I have yet to buy new injectors. I've had them professionally cleaned with BG cleaner. If I run higher octane fuel it seems to give me better mpg.

Also, the truck falls on its face till about 2k rpms then will come to life and start pulling like it has more power then it knows what to do with once it gets past that point.

I remember when I got the truck and it got around 300-400miles to a tank, now I'm lucky to see 200 from the 21gal tank.

It running like this makes me want to just spend the money and put a 2.3 turbo engine or a 302 in it, seeing as it gets shit gas mileage as it is.
 
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#6 ·
I unplugged the MAF and drove it around. I had a hard time keeping it running till it warmed up. It kinda did the idle shake I was talking about in the first post.

I'm going to replace it this week, lets hope I can locate one with a matching flash..
 
#11 ·
Now I've got three codes.

0302 Cyl 2 misfire (rarely comes up then goes away once the truck warms up)
0171 Bank 1 too lean (I've checked everything for vacuum leaks and the o2 sensor is working fine according to my dads scanner)
1443, same evap crap, the vac line for it is plugged so I know its not causing the problem.

I bought a catalytic converter and installed it, I have a feeling its not going to last long with the engine dumping fuel.
I did a tuneup in late spring, I used good wires and autolite iridium plugs.
I've checked the coil packs, all eight plugs have good spark.

Also, the truck gets worse gas mileage on the highway then driving in the city, one would think it should be the other way around.
I was told it could be the intake gasket, but I've sprayed everything down with brake cleaner and the idle never changed, it stays around 800rpms.

At this point, I'm about to say screw it and take it to the dealership for a full diag, it would almost be worth the 100$.
 
#17 ·
1443 is telling you your purge solenoid is borked - you can ignore it.
0171 is telling you you're hitting the lean limits of your closed-loop fuel control - check your fuel pressure, verify your MAF is good / clean and check everything between the MAF and intake ports for air leaks.

You either have poor fuel pressure, or the air you're getting to each cylinder is significantly different than your ECU had been led to believe. :sonicjay:
 
#14 ·
I've check EVERYTHING for vacuum leaks.
I used up three cans of carb cleaner and the idle never changed.

The fuel evap system is unhooked because its causing the truck to run worse.
The MAF is working. Both o2 sensors are working.

The fuel pump says its running at 100%, even at idle.

Me and my friend are thinking its either the fuel pressure regulator or the fuel pump.

The truck has 183,000 miles and the gas tank has never been out from what I know, I guess it can't hurt to throw a fuel pump and regulator at it, both parts are about 120$.
 
#16 ·
well lets see for one it is always good measure to check the for vacuum leaks with something not as corrosive like wd40 and starting fluid. be careful with the starting fluid though use it sparingly. in a year or less when all your vacuum lines and gasket and whatever other wires you got with it are junk your gonna regret using brake cleaer and carb cleaner. and then next it is always good measure to change the wiring harness when you swap out motors. i dont know much about rangers and their motors but im pretty sure you should have changed it.
 
#18 ·
i was told that ford ranger have a crash safety fuel pump shut off valve and to fix it there a little red button under the carpet buy the stick shift by the front on the trans hump or what ever u wanna call it. maby that got messed up and u just need to press the button.

this is what i was told from a very smart ford guy so maby it will help
 
#21 · (Edited)
I've done a bunch of work to the truck and its still running like crap.

I was poking around on the AutoZone website and noticed the 2.5 calls for a different plug then the 2.3.
The only real difference is the stroke of the engine(different crank), I'm still using the 2.3 ECU and accessories, but could the plugs really make that big of a difference?

I'm running Autolite iridium plugs, the part number the 2.3 calls for, not the 2.5.
Again, I'm using the 2.3 ECU and accessories, with the 2.5 longblock.


Edit: I haven't been getting any codes except the nagging 1443 code, I also replaced all of the ground wires including the main ground that goes to the engine.
 
#24 ·
Mine started making a rattling sound from the exhaust around 2500/3000 rpms.
I'm not sure if its coming from the converter or the flange on the header, the studs were really rusty when I replaced the gasket so they might have come loose, but I don't hear an exhaust leak so who knows.
 
#25 ·
I'm not sure if it has anything to do with how my truck has been drinking gas, but it threw the code P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction).

This is the first time this code has come up.

I'm going to replace the sensor tomorrow and pray thats whats been causing the problems.
 
#26 ·
"The camshaft position sensor identifies position of the camshaft to the ignition control module (ICM), engine control module (ECM) or powertrain control module (PCM)

When not replaced, vehicle could experience no- or hard start, long crank time, misfire, lack of power, excessive hydrocarbons in oil, spark plug fouling, catalytic converter failure, poor fuel economy, CEL/MIL illumination or intermittent shutdown"

Hrm, my oil smells like gas, I get bad fuel mileage and my truck has a random misfire and lack of power at times.

I just LOVE spending all of my money on my truck.
At the same time, I'm glad it threw the code, now I don't have to take it to the dealership like I was planning.

My "master ase certified" father couldn't figure this out, just goes to show that a piece of paper doesn't mean you know what you're doing.
 
#27 ·
"The camshaft position sensor identifies position of the camshaft to the ignition control module (ICM), engine control module (ECM) or powertrain control module (PCM)

When not replaced, vehicle could experience no- or hard start, long crank time, misfire, lack of power, excessive hydrocarbons in oil, spark plug fouling, catalytic converter failure, poor fuel economy, CEL/MIL illumination or intermittent shutdown"

Hrm, my oil smells like gas, I get bad fuel mileage and my truck has a random misfire and lack of power at times.

I just LOVE spending all of my money on my truck.
At the same time, I'm glad it threw the code, now I don't have to take it to the dealership like I was planning.

My "master ase certified" father couldn't figure this out, just goes to show that a piece of paper doesn't mean you know what you're doing.
 
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