What is it & what does it do.

[1990RangerinSK]

I thought it was
1983 - 1992 Gen 1
1993 - 2011 Gen 2
2011 - Current - Gen 3

I'm sure somebody will correct me, but my understanding is this:

1983-1988 - Gen1
1989-1992 - Gen2
1993-1997 - Gen3
1998-2011 - Gen4.

Wikipedia seems to think that it's:

1983-1992 - Gen1 (Refreshed in 1989)
1993-1997 - Gen2
1998-2012 (There was a 2012 model year?) - Gen3
2019- future - Gen4

Part of the problem is that there is no standard in the industry to define what constitutes a new generation vs a refresh.

Ford's Escort is even muddier. There were two minor body changes between 1981 and 1990 (Generations 1, 2, 3 - or just Gen1), then 1991 - 1996 is Gen2 (or 4), and 1997 - 1999 (2002 for zx2) would be Gen3 (or 5).

Then there's the Aerostar (was it 1 generation or 3? Changes in 1989 and 1992) and the Tempo (also 1 generation or 3? Changes in 1988 and 1992), and the Focus (is it in it's fourth generation in North America or third? Changes in 2005, 2008 and 2012).

Honda, you can tell for sure by the 5th and 6th digits of the VIN (for the Fit, Gen1 is GD, Gen2 is GE, and Gen3 is GK, I think. Gen1 in the USA was 2007-2008, Gen2 2009-2013 (Canada got a 2014 model), Gen3 2015-present).

Ok, I've rambled on enough. Are we confused, yet?
Are we confused yet?

 

[Ranger850]

I think a new generation would require more than a face-lift and hp increases. A whole new design from the frame up or at least a major makeover like the Mustang from 93 to 94.

 

[adsm08]

I think a new generation would require more than a face-lift and hp increases. A whole new design from the frame up or at least a major makeover like the Mustang from 93 to 94.

I think it's funny that you used the Mustang in this example, because the SN95 Mustangs were still technically Fox Bodies with different sheet metal.

 

[fastpakr]

The tradition here has always been 83-88, 89-92, 93-97, 98-11. There are logical justifications for breaking them up differently, but it's definitely going to confuse people if you do.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I'm sure somebody will correct me, but my understanding is this:

1983-1988 - Gen1
1989-1992 - Gen2
1993-1997 - Gen3
1998-2011 - Gen4.

That's always been how I refer to the Ranger Cycle too.

 

[91stranger]

Ok lets get back on track to the OP. When I pulled my bed last summer I found that my evap canister looked as though it hasn't been working in a LONG time. I do have a CEL for a large evap leak. I assumed it was my gas filler neck (it literally rusted away where gas cap goes) so I replaced the neck and still got the large evap leak code. I assume its from the canister as it looks in really rough shape. I just threw some metal strap hangers on it because the mount rusted off. I never really understood the purpose of these. truck still runs whether its functioning or not.

 

[19Walt93]

If the check engine light is on it's telling you that the system saw a sensor out of range and plugged a good value for the failed part into the equation so the truck will still run, just maybe not run properly, or maybe not meet emissions standards. If the battery dies or is disconnected there will be no memory of a good value and whatever has failed will create symptoms. 1984 vehicles didn't have check engine lights so the driver never knew they had a problem until they left the lights on and killed the battery and then unexpected problems showed up. It's often foggy here in the morning during the spring and fall so folks would drive to work with the lights on and forget to shut them off because it was light when they got there and find a dead battery when they tried to go home. There were darn few cars with auto lamps in 1984, you had to pay attention and shut your lights off.