'94 Ranger EEC-IV codes 157, 158, 181, 186, 189, 543, 556

[WhyteWolf]

This is my first time posting here, so bear with me...
I have a '94 Ranger 4.0, and have been having some strange issues. At random times, often when accelerating heavily such as when getting on the highway, the check engine light comes on briefly, then turns off a minute or so later. I drive roughly an hour to work each day, and it usually occurs between 1 and 5 times per trip. I also have noticed a ticking sound from the engine when accelerating under load (i.e. going up hill). I have been putting in 93 octane gas to reduce the ticking, but it isn't going away. I also had problems where it wouldn't always start, which I traced back to the EEC relay which I replaced about a week ago. I had been hoping that replacing that relay would have fixed the other issues as well, but I guess that was just wishful thinking.
So I hooked up my code reader today, and got a bunch of codes off of the continuous memory check, and no codes off of KOEO or KOER. The codes I got were:

157
158
181
186
189
543
556

I have found the definitions for all of these codes, but most of them don't really mean much to me, so I was hoping someone may have some knowledge of problems that could cause one or more of these codes, so I have somewhere to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

 

[Donnie strickland]

The last two indicate a problem with the fuel pump circuit, which was probably related to your "no start" problem.

According to Alldata, the rest of the codes indicate a problem related to your MAF sensor. Check for air leaks around the MAF, then check the MAF itself for possible contamination. Check your PCV valve. Also check the electrical connections to the MAF.

Also check your battery cables. A bad ground can cause all sorts of problems.

 

[CaptainStomp]

Sounds like a dirty MAF, I've had to clean my 94's MAF a few times. Somewhere on this website is instructions how to clean it up. It's a common problem with the 4.0 engine according to the fix I got of this website, sometime back. Oh yeah, I have no idea what the codes mean, I was just going off of the symptoms you described.

 

[WhyteWolf]

Thanks Guys,
I replaced the PCV, and cleaned the MAF, and a quick test drive looks like it may have fixed the issues with the CEL and the engine tick. I should know for sure after I drive to work tomorrow.
Thanks for the advice, I will let you know how it turns out!

 

[WhyteWolf]

This is great, cleaning the MAF definitely fixed the issue, no more ping, no more check engine light, and I can even use 87 octane! Thanks again for the ideas!

 

[Donnie strickland]

Excellent! Glad to hear it worked out.