Newbie here needs help, Idle

[campermama]

I am actually pretty savy when it comes to cars for a female! I have never had any of my cars in the shop. So I think if I can somehow figure out what the problem is here I will be able to fix it.

So I am now thinking if the scan tool can be used on my other cars it may not be a bad investment and can help me diagnose problems.

Either way, I need to figure out this one as my daughter needs to drive the ranger to work every day.

 

[skinner]

An odbii scanner is not a bad investment honestly. Just get the cheapos...they can be found on sale for about 100$ usually...all you need is the code number and we can do the rest. Obviously we arent gods and cant fix it over the internet, but i've dealt with enough cars that if i get a code on certain vehicles i can usually tell you where to start looking...
Good luck,
alex

 

[campermama]

Sounds like a plan! I just looked it up and I will be able to use it on my car and my other daughters car as well, so I think it would be a good investment.
I will pick one up tomorrow and will report back with the code!

Thanks everybody, and stay tuned.........

 

[chazzone]

Wow...
This thread makes me lose faith in this forum.
Chazz...the jumper trick instructions are for ODB1. You have a 1989, of course it works. Those instructions will not work and have no relevance to an ODB2 vehicle such as camper's 01. You are going to advise someone to waste money on tools and then spend hours looking for a plug that doesnt exist? not cool
I'm guessing you live in California...they have that stupid no code scanned thing out there.
Get the codes read, or even put on a diagnostic machine. Costs here at least between 50 and 70$ but gives you a pretty good idea whats going on.
Good luck.
alex

Skinner, being an asshole...not cool.

I never told her to buy anything except what would work for her vehicle, and a volt meter is useful for someone who works on any vehicle, so get off your high horse.

-zz

 

[campermama]

Hey zz and Skinner (ALex), you have both been helpful to me and I appreciate it! Yes I live in CA.
I have decided to go ahead and get a scanner since I will be able to use on 2 other cars that I own. I will do this today and go to my daughters place and read the codes and hopefully find the trouble and fix it.
I will let you know later what the code(s) are and see what you guys think, I will bring my laptop so I can logon. Until then, please play nicely together! (sorry that is my motherly instinct coming out).

I am looking at the Actron CP9175 model. And I am guessing it plugs in under the steering wheel or around there inside the cab?

 

[skinner]

Yep, drivers side under steering wheel. Most rangers i can remember the plug is center and facing your shins, however it may be verticle mount that year. Either way youll see it.

 

[skinner]

Skinner, being an asshole...not cool.

I never told her to buy anything except what would work for her vehicle, and a volt meter is useful for someone who works on any vehicle, so get off your high horse.

-zz

I'll accept that I am admittedly an asshole.
And yes, a voltmeter is useful for anyone to buy.
But i'm not going to sit idly by while you feed a gal wanting to learn something about cars a line of garbage.


Wanting to help is good thing, even respectable. Giving bad information is potentially dangerous or costly.
To each his own.
Take care,
Alex

 

[chazzone]

I'll accept that I am admittedly an asshole.
And yes, a voltmeter is useful for anyone to buy.
But i'm not going to sit idly by while you feed a gal wanting to learn something about cars a line of garbage.


Wanting to help is good thing, even respectable. Giving bad information is potentially dangerous or costly.
To each his own.
Take care,
Alex

Gee Mr Helpful, where were you to start with?

I know that when you're a kid with a little knowledge you think you know it all, and I can tell from reading your posts that you have a pretty high opinion of yourself.

Admittedly, I didn't consider that she had the newer style ignition, but I didn't give her a "line of garbage" or anything that was potentially dangerous, so piss off.

 

[skinner]

Can you take the time to explain how the ignition system of a vehicle has anything to do with using its on board diagnostics?
No, you didnt give her anything dangerous I should have been even more clear I guess.
But to this day I still hear from time to time people telling others that you can check for a bad wire by grabbing and feeling the length of the wire with the engine running.
In the points days it gave you a little shock. On todays cars, it's POTENTIALLY lethal.
Sorry if I offended you, i'll be more careful with my words...
Take care,
alex

 

[campermama]

Ok so went and bought a scan tool, hook it up, doesn't work! I tried it on another car (older year) works fine! Any ideas?
I am going to trying air dusting it a little, maybe its dirty?

I will be right back.....

Somebody thought it may be the O2 sensor. I sprayed cleaner in the air intake and no change. Son't think it is the IAC either.

 

[skinner]

Make sure its all the way on. My 98 did that because it was hard to push on. Otherwise, its the fuse. Pull each fuse and check them.
On a lot of cars, particularly 2000ish gms, it was hooked to the cig lighter fuse. Not sure on yours.

 

[Ranger5.0]

By the way, you can pick up a volt meter for about $10. Since anything you'll have to buy to randomly throw at the problem is going to be a lot more than that. it'd probably be a good idea to add one to the tool box, especially if you want to try to work on this yourself.

It's one of the most basic tools used for diagnostic, and anyone who works on vehicles should have one.

-zz

hes right, eveyone should have one. Hell, I have 3 meters and a logic probe from matco. its handy to have tools like that when working with electrical

 

[campermama]

Ok, yup it was a fuse! Read the codes and this is what I got.....

P0102 - MAF or VAF A circuit low input
P0171 - Systen too lean (bank 1)
P0174 - System too lean (bank 2)
P0300 - Random/multiple cylinder misfire detected (I don't believe this one).
P1504 - Idle air control circuit

Like I said the truck runs fine except it is burning gas bad and lopes at idle.

So what do you guys think?

Man after the weekend I just had I was hoping for one code easy fix

 

[skinner]

Please remember that one problem can cause perhaps 3 or more codes...so youre most likely looking at replacing one or two things to fix all codes. I'd, for now, at least, not worry about the lean codes. They are mostly likely a side effect of one of the other two. I'd start by cleaning the MAF sensor if you havent already. A dirty MAF will not detect enough air coming in and keep accepting more...hence running lean. And running lean on all cylinders will make the multiple/random cylinder misfire code.
You're most likely looking at a MAF problem or IAC problem fixing all of these.
The MAF runs about 120$ here, and the IAC about 80. I wouldnt blindly replace them both, though. Id def try cleaning the MAF sensor first, resetting the codes and hoping for the best.
But I will say i've seen 3 3.0 ohc taurus that would start and would NOT idle with a p1504 and replacing the IAC valve fixed all 3 of them. Be careful what you go buying though, and do cheapest logical fixes to most expensive.

 

[campermama]

This is over by the air filter right? Do I need to take it off to clean it? I read about a test somewhere that said while truck is running disconnect the plug going to the IAC, if the RPM's drop it is working properly (I think). I tried this today and the RPM's dropped.