Well, we're finding skeletons...

[JackLikesTrucks]

Just got this 02 Ranger XLT and we're finding things that don't look good. Like side window glass shards on boths sides of the cab and a MIL light that isn't illuminating. How convenient.

But first. On the 2.3L engine, driver's side, there's a vacuum(?) tube that exits from the plastic top cover, heads back, to a small 1x2" control assembly that is also bolted to the engine, not the firewall.

I think it is in vacuum family but can't find pics and am not sure from looking at the vac label.

Any ideas?

I found the tube loose and started the whole MIL light saga.

THANKS!

BTW It'll be a great truck!

 

[Earl43P]

IIRC, the CEL and cigarette lighter share a fuse....check that.

No idea on the tube, DPFE maybe? Does the 1"x2" thing have two hoses going to it?

 

[reno]

Did you buy this from a dealer? Disconnecting the CEL is illegal, before you pour a bunch of money out, might want to think about this one.

 

[JackLikesTrucks]

IIRC, the CEL and cigarette lighter share a fuse....check that.

Will do. I just got the powertrain checked out OK. I'll move on to electrical next. Maybe have AutoZone just go ahead and put on a OBDII reader before I pull the dash to check the lightbulb status.

No idea on the tube, DPFE maybe? Does the 1"x2" thing have two hoses going to it?

Thanks. There was 2 small vac lines going to it. When I reconnected the one from the cover (looked at first like a 1/4" drain tube), there was no engine change. The CEL was already off (or maybe disconnected) but no change in the CEL status either. Still good to know what it was anyway.

 

[JackLikesTrucks]

Did you buy this from a dealer? Disconnecting the CEL is illegal, before you pour a bunch of money out, might want to think about this one.

Scanner pulled 2 codes, probably related, all to a bad fuel issue. P0171, P1537

Well, I eventually had to break into the instrument panel.

CEL bulb is MIA.

I'd sic the Fla. Atty Gen after him but I'd tie up the truck and he'd just go out of business and open up in 5 days under a new name.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

I'd report them anyway. It's a serious crime and people doing it should be suffer the consequences.

P0171 - Bank 1 Lean - Clean your MAF and and replace/fix that vacuum line.

P1537 - Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open - This may be why they pulled the CEL light. If you just bought it from them, take it back and tell them to fix it. If they don't, threaten to take them to court for the missing CEL light.

 

[JackLikesTrucks]

FIXED! - P0171 - Bank 1 Lean - Clean your MAF and and replace/fix that vacuum line.
FIXED! - P1537 - Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open

WOOHOO! Well, we exhausted the research and figured out how this stupid system works.

Here's the link to: 2004 MY OBD System Operation Summary for Gasoline Engines
http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/diagnostics/pdf/OBDSM405.pdf

Page 70 has a nice review on the IRMC or as I have in the I4, a IRS(swirl)C

Anyway, turned out all the dealer needed to do was replace the bad vac line going from the solenoid on the driver side engine to the back of the intake actuator. After we assured the butterflys were moving, P1537 fixed!

Then we used electronics cleaner on the MAF and sterilized the throttle body with TB cleaner, P0171 fixed!

We were having a helleva time getting the missing CEL bulbs then my son came up with the BRILLIANT idea of using the 4x4 indicator bulbs we didn't need anyway. I would have thought of that maybe a year later after ordering new CEL bulbs. Ugh.

Disconnected the battery to clear the codes, turned on the power and the CEL lit up, fired the engine and the CEL went out as planned.

After hearing about $900 repairs elsewhere, couldn't be happier.

Now to go get it "ECheck" inspected so I finally get the darned thing titled and registered. Running out of 30 Day Tag time.