15mpg on a 4cyl?!?!?!? Please help.

[jnmcinnis]

I asked this question back in feburary but didnt get many responses so here it goes.

I have a 2.3l 95 ford ranger a/t the best gas mileage i get out of it is 16mpg it usually stays around 14- 15. The sparkplugs, fuel filter, o2 sensors, transmission and computer has all been replaced.(computere because when transmission was being replaced they nicked a wire and it grounded out shorting the computer) it also has a k&n filter. it gives me code 0401 and 1443. I really need some help with this gas mileage thing my dads f150 v6 gets better than this 4cyl. i thought and heard that the 4cyl are fuel efficent. Well not this one. sorry for the long post but i really need to get this fixed.Its highly aggrevating

 

[fastpakr]

Those are typically indicative of a DPFE fault, but I'm not a fan of shotgunning parts at a problem. Better to confirm that they're bad before spending the money on the wrong part. Check your local library to see if they have a copy of the '95 Mitchell Domestic Light Truck and Van repair book. It would be in the reference section. In there you'll find a troubleshooting chart for those codes. I don't have an OBD-II truck or I might have some more info.

 

[blisted]

1443 error is the fuel vapor system. I ended up clearing that on my 96 by changing the purge valve solenoid. Motorcraft part #CX1158

 

[Mark_88]

EBSCOHOST

You could try this link....it's an on-line library manual and there is a sticky on this in the Submit Material for the Tech Library forum...password and user id are both auto...

The codes are there...they are under the year/make/engine type...then go down to the Driveability and Emission section...and select the Trouble Codes...it has both OBD selections...





Sticky Link

 

[95Rang515]

P1443 Evaporative Emission Control System - Vacuum System - Purge Control Solenoid or Purge Control Valve fault.

P0401 Insufficient EGR Flow.

 

[97ranger xlt]

1443 code, yes definitely change / check the purge valve (1st) and then if it doesn't clear
the code, check /replace the solenoid.
then reset the computer.
get rid of the K&n and clean the MAF. i think your computer is in closed loop causing the bad mileage.

 

[mrcarcrazy]

1443 code, yes definitely change / check the purge valve (1st) and then if it doesn't clear
the code, check /replace the solenoid.
then reset the computer.
get rid of the K&n and clean the MAF. i think your computer is in closed loop causing the bad mileage.

Is there a simple way to see if computer is in closed loop?

 

[97ranger xlt]

Is there a simple way to see if computer is in closed loop?

think you gotta scan it...to see the readiness state of the sensors

 

[mrcarcrazy]

I have a simple harbor freight OBD2 scanner....dunno if it'll do that....

I just used my voltmeter to find out that according to the site posted above my cam sensor is fine...which leaves me with this damned CEL with no understandable cause.

 

[fastpakr]

Have you looked at the Ebscohost link from above or checked out a Mitchell manual? It clearly sounds like you have an issue in the vacuum purge system (and suggestions for testing were made above) and a DPFE sensor problem. It doesn't sound from this end like there is 'no understandable cause' at all.

Edit - Just realized you're not the OP. What codes are you dealing with?

 

[jnmcinnis]

thank ya'll I'm gonna buy a better scanner so i can get more in depth instead of just codes.

 

[mrcarcrazy]

Have you looked at the Ebscohost link from above or checked out a Mitchell manual? It clearly sounds like you have an issue in the vacuum purge system (and suggestions for testing were made above) and a DPFE sensor problem. It doesn't sound from this end like there is 'no understandable cause' at all.

Edit - Just realized you're not the OP. What codes are you dealing with?

My story is here
http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25121

but basically. P0340 _cam sensor circuit, and P0300 random misfires
tested cam sensor per EBSCO site (except I don't have a break out box, so I just tapped into the wires going to sensor). according to that test my sensor is fine.

Car runs fine, good idle, just maxing out @ 19mpg, and these CEL's. (might be unrelated).

I've replaced plugs/wires (they were ancient). did seafoam via vac line, and have now tested the Cam pos. sensor. I'm not one to chase wires, so I may call a guy I know who has a car electrical shop, and let him find the problem...just not sure if its worth it....i could care less about the CEL, I would just like some more MPG. (its now costing more to drive the ranger vs the Lotus...something not right about that.)

thank ya'll I'm gonna buy a better scanner so i can get more in depth instead of just codes.

Best of luck to you. make sure to do something rarely done on Ranger forums....update your thread once you find the culprit. It will likely help many others who find themselves in a similar situation.

 

[fastpakr]

thank ya'll I'm gonna buy a better scanner so i can get more in depth instead of just codes.

I can understand wanting one, but it doesn't sound like you need one to solve this problem.

 

[rurouni20xx]

your gonna think this is stupid but here was my solution to 15mpg out of a 4 cylinder. i bought mine used did the plugs wires new coil packs cleaned out the egr bypassed the purge canister and high flow filter and new exhaust and new belts, none helped. the plugs on the edis unit on my intake manifold were corroded and running on half the plugs half the time, cleaned them and the truck runs and idles smoother and has a lot more pickup. i dont know if you looked into that but thats what my problem was and i was getting piss poor mileage as well, hope that helps you buddy.

 

[splatranger95]

You can go to oreilly's or autozone and get an injector pulse diode tester that will tell you how your injector pulse is and can find out if it is closed loop or not. The cam sensor and Maf deal with closed loop on your injectors but will usually throw a code. That purge valve makes a big difference also.