1994 Ranger 2.3 CEL

[branw97459]

Hey guys I was wondering how exactly you pull the codes. It just looks like a bunch of random blinking. Can't figure out what its actually saying. If helpful I can post a video of the blinking CEL this weekend. Or maybe someone could guide me to a tool that figures it out for me so I don't have to try to read a damn telegraph from my truck.

 

[RonD]

Google: Ford OBD-I Self Tests and Code Reading

Good plain english how-to on the flashing

Summit Racing website sells a OBD I code reader for $22, which makes it very easy

Vehicles '96 and newer use OBD II which is a more detailed code set, the readers are different.

 

[branw97459]

It kinda sucks cause I have access to a Snap On Ethos but don't have the OBD I adapter and don't want to buy something for a tool I don't own. My toyota is easy to read but I'm not sure how the ranger sequence starts. I know my toyota is one blink and then it starts giving 2 digit codes. In the Haynes manual that I have it says the ranger codes are 3 digit so I'm all sorts of lost. Need to get it figured out though cause I'm not getting the best mileage and it idles kinda rough and rough under load (i.e. Hills, girlfriend leaving e-brake on.)

 

[branw97459]

Well Oreilly's has a Ford code reader in stock for pretty cheap so I am going to go pick that up later.

 

[branw97459]

Okay guys. Got my codes so now I really need some help. This isn't a Toyota 4cyl so I'm lost.

I got 3 codes:

Code 223: Distributorless Ignition Control - loss of dual plug inhibit control
Code 224: SPOUT circuit ground/coil 1,2,3 or 4
Code 327: EGR valve position circuit below minimum voltage

I have no idea what any of these mean...

 

[branw97459]

Cleaned up my MAF and no help yet. Will be pulling the IAC and cleaning it as well. Hopefully its something simple. Next up is checking the coils

 

[adsm08]

Cleaning the MAF and IAC are wastes of time since they have nothing to do with your codes.

The first one means that for some reason the computer has lost the ability to shut down the secondary ignition coil.

The second code is kinda confusing. It almost makes me thing that one of the coil packs is shorted to ground.

The third code is straight forward. The signal received back from the EGR flow sensor is below the minimum allowed level. It probably needs a sensor.

 

[RonD]

Code 223: Distributorless Ignition Control - loss of dual plug inhibit control
Code 224: SPOUT circuit ground/coil 1,2,3 or 4

These mean the ignition module is probably bad, but could be a loose or bad ground on the module so check that first.

Code 327: EGR valve position circuit below minimum voltage.
There is a black plastic sensor with 2 vacuum lines and a 3 wire connector, that's the EGR position sensor.
Make sure vacuum lines are not cracked and that electrical connector is not dirty, if everything is OK then replace sensor.

 

[branw97459]

I don't consider it a waste of time adsm08, takes 10 minutes and the truck did run better afterwards. Just still had a slight miss.