2.3L ('83-'97) '94 Rangeer sputters and pops

[pat julian]

I seldom come here as I usually don't have a serious problem with my third Ranger, but this has me as well as my master tech son stumped. Truck has 393,000 miles, drieven 150 miles daily as a delivery vehicle for a car parts dealer. About six months ago it developed as light exhaust leak at the manifold, It didn't present a problem then so I kept driving until it became louder, and started to pop and sputter upon acceleration. As you feathered the gas pedal, it would smooth out for the most part. My son tightened the bolts holding the exhaust pipe to the manifold, and checked codes with his scanner, Before tighting the bolts codes were 113, IAT issue and 335 DPFE problem..after tighting code 113 went away and only 335 eas left, Yesterday he put a new DPFE sensor on, but still the problem remains.I know the DPFE works with the EGR valve but no code for that. We do have a new EGR valve as well a O2 sensor not installed yet. I know the DPFE sensor is a common problem as I had replaced on a '96 Ranger I owned twenty years ago....Can someone give us advice on what to look for ? Even though no codes for the EGR or 02 sensors are present...should we install those ? Ranger are one touch truck with the 2.3 and manual transmission, I've put over 1.5 million mils on the three I've owned with only basic rerpairs, ...but sure could use some help on this one..Thanks for any help...pj

 

[scotts90ranger]

The DPFE code is probably complaining about insufficient EGR flow which is likely the port in the intake manifold plugged up at those miles. Just because you have a code for something doesn't mean the part is bad... it means there is an issue with what the part is reading usually.

 

[pat julian]

Here's an update for anyone who may have a similar problem, which is now solved. It seems pulling codes doesn't a;ways give you the corerect issue, as mine said itake air temp sensor was bad as well as DPFE sensor. The IAT was fine, not sure about the DPFE as replacing that had no effect, because.....as we found both coil packs had two terminals not firing . Replaced both coil packs, but still not fixed. It appeared the only thing left to replace was the ignition coil..which did solve the problem. This is my third Ranger which have always been very reliable witjh normal care, I had to replace coil packs on my '96 as well as the DPFE sensor, the igniotion coil on my '93, and all of the above on my '94. I put 500K on the '96 before selling it, sold the '93 with 620K, and my '94 is approaching 400K. The 2.3 five speeds seem to run forever with normal care, although finding the solution to common problems can be trying. The one constant I have found, and seems to be common on many years is the gas gauge never works,...none worked on all of mine, but since I drive them on a parts route, I zero the odometer and fill up every day...Hope this helps someone down the road with a similar issue...