1996 Hesitation and sometimes dies...

[Sofireguy]

Hey all, this is my first post. I have a 1996 Ranger with 297,xxx miles on the body. I'm not sure if its the original engine or tranny. I am the 2nd owner of this truck. The symptoms are that the truck hesitates a little and sometimes dies when I gas it quickly from idle, if I gas it slowly its fine. And power seems to be somewhat of an issue in the low RPM range. Mid to high RPM range the truck is completely fine. I don't get a check engine light at all, and have given this truck a bunch or new parts. I did the timing, replaced gaskets, hoses, belt, spark plugs, wires, filters and cleaned up a lot of the intake parts. And I know for a fact it's not a vacuum leak, i checked everywhere.

Other than the low RPM hesitation, the truck is fine. It just bothers me that it's not 100% since I've put a lot of time to preventative and care maintenance.

I also noticed before i was cleaning it up that there was some "blowback??" (oil in intake and vacuum hoses). What is that normally a sign of? I cleaned it all up. Any help is highly appreciated.

 

[Sofireguy]

OK, So i found the main culprit. Apparently, the last owner crossed the 1-2 wires on the exhaust coil, as I hooked it up how it was, assuming it was correct.

I also have a CEL for a EVAP Purge solenoid valve C, and insufficient EGR Flow. I checked the hose that runs to the diaphragm on the EGR valve, and it gets nearly no vacuum, it kind of pulses. This is under any RPM range. I assume the EGR solenoid is bad?? If I install a new one and it stays the same, what should I look for next, to get vacuum on the EGR valve? I verified that Vacuum is getting to the solenoid, but not the EGR valve.

This is the only reason my truck won't pass inspection.

 

[Sofireguy]

The code from my reader and my friends Snap-on Solus was "P0443 EVAP Purge Valve Circuit Fault"

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

have u cleaned the egr and iac?
if its going to the solenoid, then that could be the problem, a bad solenoid.

 

[Sofireguy]

Since it say circuit fault, my thought would be the plug for the solenoid?? Are there any voltage parameters and schematics for it so I know what range of voltage it should be receiving and which wire is ground and hot, to allow vacuum to pass? I don't have a manual yet because they don't sell Chilton's around here locally, only Haynes (enough to get you in trouble).

 

[Sofireguy]

I was also looking into it further with google and found interesting information on the Purge Flow sensor for the carbon canister. The one that runs from the intake to the canister, it has a purge valve and a Thermistor. Anyone know anything about that?

 

[Sofireguy]

I tested mine with ohm meter came out non-continuous and should function under certain RPM ranges and does not. I'm going to the store to pick this one up, hopefully it helps my CEL. xD

 

[Sofireguy]

After changing the Valve, a CEL for P1443 came up, so i changed the sensor also. And after cleaning the EGR valve and replacing the Solenoid, i still get the EGR code P0401. I just changed the DPFE sensor since a lot of people are saying those go out before anything else, and my EGR hose and lines to the DPFE sensor are fine. The DPFE sensor is an original metal one, and the new ones that ford and aftermarket suppliers make are now ABS plastic, I guess it's never been changed.

Hopefully after a few drive cycles, it will be OK with no CEL.

 

[Steve W]

Sofireguy,

P0401 is hauntingly familiar to me. I got that code on my '96 Miata and it turned out to be a clogged line from the intake manifold to the EGR sensor: it was totally blocked with carbon. I reamed it out with a drill bit, then sprayed some Gumout through it. I removed the throttle body and mopped up the excess solvent and crud, then put everything back together. Problem solved.

Sometimes on high-mileage vehicles you will get "crud-related" issues like these. It's certainly a lot cheaper than replacing parts.

Good luck.

Steve

 

[CGordon]

Hey Sofireguy,

I have the exact same problem (P0401) on the exact same truck.

Were you able to fix this? If yes, what was the solution?

Please help! Thanks!