Random "check engine"

[RollinWOT]

I was driving along one day and my engine light came on. Pulled over and checked what fluids I could. I let it sit overnight and then checked the coolant level in the morning. BONE DRY. My radiator and overflow were both empty. I replaced the radiator and obviously had to remove some sensor connections to get to the radiator like the MAF, ECT, etc. I got everything buttoned up and when i reattatched the tranny cooler lines I accidentally left the lower line not tightened all the way. It leaked until almost empty. I filled it up and then tightened it down and now nothing leaks, not the coolant, not the tranny fluid. Fired it up and then my engine light was on again and hasnt gone off since. It doesn't make any strange sounds(none that it hadn't already been making), doesnt shift hard, and basically runs just like it was. Whatever it is thats causing my truck to do this has stumped me. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[AgPete139]

Did you reset the computer? Sometimes that's all that's needed to remove the CEL.

Unplug your battery terminals for 30 minutes. Replace, and the computer should relearn everything.

It seems like you everything textbook. Let's see if it stays on after this.



Pete

 

[RollinWOT]

I'll do it right now and get back to you on that. Thanks Pete!

 

[RollinWOT]

Usually when I took the cables off i only took the negative off and let it sit. When i would come back and attatch them again no engine light, but the 2nd time you start it, it would pop the CEL again. Whatever it was, resetting the computer did it, because i started it several times, no problems, no CEL. Thanks Pete, you made me worry a lot less!

 

[RollinWOT]

Well I guess i spoke too soon, that damn CEL came back on. Im gonna try out a scantool and see what comes up

 

[AgPete139]

lol Ok, keep us updated!

 

[barrys]

Even though the scan tool is worth the 20-30 bucks, you can pull your codes with a paper clip. (It's a bit of a PITA, but it's totally cool. As someone who works with computers, it's an old school, low cost masterpiece to me.) Read this and look at the KOEO section:
http://sbftech.com/index.php/topic,2471.0.html

After the KOEO codes are sent, the "continuous" codes are sent which are the ones that made your CEL come on while driving.

You look those up online and start your journey of discovery...

 

[RollinWOT]

I'm using the truck as a teaching instrument to teach some autoshop students how to pull codes and verify complaints and possibly find solutions. Hopefully I'll be able to find the problem and then get that pos fixed.

 

[RollinWOT]

TPS was reading a trouble code, so I need to run it at varying speeds so the Computer can run it's self diagnosis tests. I'll keep you guys updated

 

[AgPete139]

SON OF A B!**H! Had a lengthy response that didn't go through...

Anyways, with the "key on" ignition position, perform the following tasks.

Poke 2 needles/pins into the wires that connect to the TPS. Keep them close to the TPS. One should be for the black ground wire, the other should probably be the green signal wire, but I cannot exactly remember.

Connect a multimeter to the 2 pins.

You should now be reading ~ 0.90 - 0.99 volts. If not, adjust/rotate the TPS by moving the 2 hold down screws. You may have to shave away the screw hole material to acheive this.

At wide open throttle WOT, your multimeter should be reading over 4.00 volts.



Also, I commented that your TPS problems are ironic since your nickname is WOT.



Good luck.

 

[RollinWOT]

Used the nemesis scantool on the truck yesterday and it came up saying that my TPS was not reading all positions of the throttle, so it was reading "NOT READY" perameters. I just need to drive the thing at verying degrees of throttle so the computer can self diganose and read itself back to "READY" perameters. It was basically just a computer screw up. Anyhow, looks like I'll be needing to ROLL WOT down the freeway so it can reset itself. BTW, my Ranger doesn't have cruise control. ALL THROTTLE, BABY!

 

[RollinWOT]

Well, I drove the ranger through it's range of speeds, and the computer did it's self diagnosis, and the test came clean. NO MORE CEL!!!

 

[barrys]

Nice. That was interesting the way that worked out. I wonder if periodic (say annual) "reboots" would be useful maintenance in genera.

 

[AgPete139]

Interesting. Glad it worked out.

How much was the Nemesis scantool?

 

[barrys]

The prices on the Nemisys range widely depending on what year's version of the software you want:
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7GZAZ_en&q=otc+nemisys+scan+tool&wrapid=tlif12886372387801&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

I was also looking at the Equus/Innova 3150 which seemed like a good deal. I'd be very curious to find out what the differences in features are and how they would impact Ranger owners.