Sputtering and eventually dying - '97 3.0 auto

[drewcole.11]

For a little while, my ranger has had an issue with pretty violent sputtering on acceleration. At first it wasn't so bad but it got worse and worse, now the engine completely dies - cant get it to go 1/4 mile without shutting off. It also has a misfire that I've been working on resolving - may be related.
Codes are:
P1445 Purge flow sensor circuit high input
P0135 Oxygen sensor heater bank 1 sensor 1
P0155 Oxygen sensor heater circuit bank 2 sensor 1
P0141 Oxygen sensor heater circuit bank 1 sensor 2 (Pending)

Any help would be appreciated, thanks

 

[RonD]

In a 1997 Ranger the O2 heaters are powered by Fuse #3 in Engine Bay fuse box, 15amp, its blown

Replace the fuse, if it blows again, with key on, then there is most likely a short in an O2 wire where it got too close to exhaust pipe and melted
O2 sensors need to be replaced every 12 years or 100k miles


As for the stalling, when did you last replace the fuel filter?
If you can't remember then replace it

Next you will need to check fuel pressure, 35psi is expected at idle, REV engine a few times, should stay near 35psi

 

[rusty ol ranger]

In a 1997 Ranger the O2 heaters are powered by Fuse #3 in Engine Bay fuse box, 15amp, its blown

Replace the fuse, if it blows again, with key on, then there is most likely a short in an O2 wire where it got too close to exhaust pipe and melted
O2 sensors need to be replaced every 12 years or 100k miles


As for the stalling, when did you last replace the fuel filter?
If you can't remember then replace it

Next you will need to check fuel pressure, 35psi is expected at idle, REV engine a few times, should stay near 35psi

Dont the 3.0s call for 60 psi?

IIRC its considerably higher then the 2.9/4.0. Maybe 50?

 

[RonD]

1998 and up Rangers used Returnless fuel system that was 60psi, Gen 3

1986 thru 1997 EFI used Return type with 35psi

 

[drewcole.11]

In a 1997 Ranger the O2 heaters are powered by Fuse #3 in Engine Bay fuse box, 15amp, its blown

Replace the fuse, if it blows again, with key on, then there is most likely a short in an O2 wire where it got too close to exhaust pipe and melted
O2 sensors need to be replaced every 12 years or 100k miles


As for the stalling, when did you last replace the fuel filter?
If you can't remember then replace it

Next you will need to check fuel pressure, 35psi is expected at idle, REV engine a few times, should stay near 35psi

just replaced the fuel filter, but ill check the fuel pressure, thanks

 

[fixizin]

Just curious... was the FUSE BLOWN?

 

[drewcole.11]

Just curious... was the FUSE BLOWN?

Fuse wasn't blown, i replaced all three o2 sensors though and it seemed to fix the problem. Although, its still throwing codes for them.

 

[fixizin]

So after clearing the codes, it's still throwing out new instances of same codes?... might have to disconnect negative battery cable, headlight switch on-off, re-connect battery, to reset computer and "learn" new voltage levels from all 3 new sensors...

 

[drewcole.11]

So after clearing the codes, it's still throwing out new instances of same codes?... might have to disconnect negative battery cable, headlight switch on-off, re-connect battery, to reset computer and "learn" new voltage levels from all 3 new sensors...

Thank you, I just tried that. It didn't work though. I checked the power to the fuse too, there is power to that, but when I checked power to one of the O2 sensors itself, there was none. I am going to investigate the wiring harness and see if there are any wires damaged. I also have a problem with the speedo working intermittently. The O2 sensors and the VSS both share the same wiring harness so i bet its related.