First year for Check Engine Light?

[Mylesofsmyles]

New to Rangers, but not new to searching...my results yielded nothing to answer my question, on Google...

I'm shopping for a 83-88 Ranger 4-Cylinder...

I make a habit to buy cars that predate Check Engine Lights (CEL's)

What was the first year for CEL's in 4-cylinder Ranger's?

I'd imagine it was introduced, along with the introduction of EFI, no?

For that matter, what's the last year for carburetors on 4-cylinder Rangers?

 

[adsm08]

I am not sure of the exact year that they started, and I think it may have varied by options and state. What I can tell you is that at least from 86 on they all had the light, but not all of them had the bulb installed. Just buy whatever 83-88 you find and take the light bulb out.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

I am not sure of the exact year that they started, and I think it may have varied by options and state. What I can tell you is that at least from 86 on they all had the light, but not all of them had the bulb installed. Just buy whatever 83-88 you find and take the light bulb out.

I live in CA...

No can do on the bulb removal...if a CEL is present, it must be functional, and is tested during routine SMOG inspections.

I subscribe to the "Simplicity is Bliss" approach, and an extra light on my instrument cluster annoys me, especially such an idiot light...

I'm good at servicing my vehicles, and verifying that they're in proper running order...A CEL is just a joke to me.

All my Volvo's predate CEL's, so SMOG inspections just involve a basic visual inspection and rolling pipe test...plain and simple. Sometimes, CEL's get in the way of modest modifications, and I don't want that complication.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, what I am saying though is that all the information centers are printed with a spot for the light. Not all of the printed circuits had the hole open. The system isn't smart enough to know the difference, so unless the inspection involves actually taking the cluster out and looking for the bulb nobody is ever going to know.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

Yeah, what I am saying though is that all the information centers are printed with a spot for the light. Not all of the printed circuits had the hole open. The system isn't smart enough to know the difference, so unless the inspection involves actually taking the cluster out and looking for the bulb nobody is ever going to know.

I understand what you're saying...

However, the SMOG technicians have a book, indicating what years of cars have CEL's. At the very least, they'll know what they're looking for.

On a CEL equipped vehicle, with the key in RUN position, the CEL will come on, then go out in a second or two...call it a self diagnosis. That's what they look for, in the inspection. That self diagnosis has to happen to pass the SMOG inspection.

 

[adsm08]

I would start looking near 86.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

I would start looking near 86.

I'm hoping to drag a Carb'd truck home anyway, so I think so...

Still don't know what year they went to EFI.

Eventually, it'll get the '88 TurboCoupe 2.3 Turbo motor, with EFI and a Mitsubishi TD04HL-13c Turbocharger...but I want to implement the EFI my way, and start with a truck that's light on wiring.

 

[adsm08]

The carb thing is all about the engine.

The 2.8 V6 was carbed from 83 to 85 and then discontinued.

The 2.9L V6 was EFI from the get go and started in 86.

The 2.3L started carbed and got TBI (or CFI) in 85, went ported in 87 or 88.

The 2.0L was carbed until 88 when it was stopped.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

Good info...

Yep, I'll start with a 83-88 4-banger...hopefully Carb'd

 

[Road Angels]

smog

I was a smog tech in Ca. I will tell you right now You will not find an 88 down ranger that will pass smog, Ford had a 10 year abatement with the state to lower the standards with is no longer in effect, you will more than likely have to purchase a waver from the state $$$$ 2.3 where the worst thats why the wasted spark system came into play, my 86 2.3 when tuned and every thing changed even the oil it would just get by the waver, when in 1997 after the waver lappsed it would not pass, so I had a pre cat welded in up stream at the head pipe it then meet the current most stringent smog specs, yes it was illegal but it worked and because it was take off of a new car at my freinds muffler shop so he charged me $50

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

I was a smog tech in Ca. I will tell you right now You will not find an 88 down ranger that will pass smog, Ford had a 10 year abatement with the state to lower the standards with is no longer in effect, you will more than likely have to purchase a waver from the state $$$$ 2.3 where the worst thats why the wasted spark system came into play, my 86 2.3 when tuned and every thing changed even the oil it would just get by the waver, when in 1997 after the waver lappsed it would not pass, so I had a pre cat welded in up stream at the head pipe it then meet the current most stringent smog specs, yes it was illegal but it worked and because it was take off of a new car at my freinds muffler shop so he charged me $50

Interesting...I wonder why.

In any case, cheers to a SMOG exhaust system

 

[zekew64]

Not sure why you have to get a waiver...in my mind, you'd have to abide by the ppm measurement that the EPA created. They can't not pass a vehicle just because it's old; that would be an 'ex-post facto' rule, in that they would deny you something that would pass otherwise. TMK, if you have what appears to be stock equipment, they can't deny you passing a smog inspection. This is the reason why any car, even my '92, has the VECI label, which states that my truck has to abide by the laws that were in effect when the truck was built at the factory--same goes for even the '83-'86 Rangers. They can't use newer laws/regulations to keep a vehicle from passing a smog inspection.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

I read his post as an indicator that the engines wear poorly and component failure would lead to failed smog inspections.

I would agree with you, however, that a well sorted vehicle should pass, no problem.

It is the case, in CA, that smog requirements for particular older vehicles do get stricter and stricter. CA wants these old cars off the road. The case is the same with some f the old Volvos. I keep mine in order and have a healthy cat.

 

[adsm08]

It is the case, in CA, that smog requirements for particular older vehicles do get stricter and stricter. CA wants these old cars off the road. The case is the same with some f the old Volvos. I keep mine in order and have a healthy cat.

So use your voice to tell them how much you disagree with those rules. Move out of Commie-fornia.

 

[Mylesofsmyles]

So use your voice to tell them how much you disagree with those rules. Move out of Commie-fornia.

Small sacrifice to live in Paradise...

Like I've said, I've never had a problem SMOGging one of my well maintained vehicles.

I honestly believe I'll be able to sort out my Ranger and SMOG it without issue.