Flex fuel help.

[Gavinbaine]

99 3.0 flex fuel. Have a p0176 (flex fuel sensor connector) code. Won’t start. Is there a bypass for this or do I need to find and replace the sensor? Or remove and clean by some means?

 

[pjtoledo]

bad news, that sensor is very expensive. and you cannot clean it. maybe clean the connector, but definitely not the sensor.
it determines the alcohol content of the fuel and sends a digital signal the computer.

attaches to the frame, right in front of the fuel filter.
you can try cleaning the connector, and re-seat it several times.

there exists a "flex fuel replicator" that replaces the sensor and has a fixed 10% alcohol output.
I ran one on my 2000 for several years.

2000 FORD RANGER 3.0L V6 Flex Fuel Sensor | RockAuto

approximately where are you in Michigan?

 

[Gavinbaine]

bad news, that sensor is very expensive. and you cannot clean it. maybe clean the connector, but definitely not the sensor.
it determines the alcohol content of the fuel and sends a digital signal the computer.

attaches to the frame, right in front of the fuel filter.
you can try cleaning the connector, and re-seat it several times.

there exists a "flex fuel replicator" that replaces the sensor and has a fixed 10% alcohol output.
I ran one on my 2000 for several years.

2000 FORD RANGER 3.0L V6 Flex Fuel Sensor | RockAuto

approximately where are you in Michigan?

Around Sturgis