2.3L ('83-'97) 1992 Ranger 2.3L p173

[XLTsplash]

I remember seeing a old post here about a guy that kept getting a P173 code in his 1992 Ranger 2.3L. He had tested or replaced most parts related to a rich code and still had the problem. RonD was helping the owner. I would like to find the post and see if the owner ever found the problem. My fuel trim the last time I checked it was -19. It didn't have a check engine light until yesterday. It had a p173. The engine is rebuilt and has a new Ford mass airflow senor, new NGK O2 sensor, New Motorcraft spark plugs, wires and coil packs. New reman stock Fords type injectors. The original injectors had the single fuel hole. the reman injectors have the four holes. I was told by the company that remans the injectors that the four hole injectors are a correct stock updated replacement for my 1992, they are the say color and I did have the running rich problem before I installed the injectors. I've also replaced the fuel pressure regulator. I checked the engine coolant temp sensor with my NGS and compared to the air temp sensor with the engine cold and the temp reading on both sensor was only 2 degrees apart . I was running a custom air intake tube without that was larger diameter and didn't have a air silencer. It was more for looks than anything else. I changed back to to the stock intake tube and it still runs rich. The only thing that's not stock is a K&N air filter. The air temp sensor is in the stock location in the air box under the air filter.

 

[XLTsplash]

Just to update this post. My Ranger failed its smog test because it was running too rich. I started double checking the parts that I had replaced. When I looked up the correct injector number for my Ranger in my 1992 Ford Truck parts catalog, I found the injectors should be gray in color = 14 lbs. My Ranger had tan injectors when I bought it, When I replaced the injectors I bought a set of tan reman,. injectors that were listed as being correct for a 1992 Ranger with a 2.3L. The tan injectors are 19lbs. I bought a set of NOS Motorcraft injectors that are gray in color and the correct 14lbs. My fuel trim is now normal.

 

[SenorNoob]

Thank you for coming back and updating us with the fix. It may be important info for someone later.