CEL on- code is 0141, 02 sensor heater malfunction- help???
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CEL on- code is 0141, 02 sensor heater malfunction- help???
Can anyone shed any light on this? 1996 Ford Ranger, 4.0 OHV engine, 5 speed. Check engine light is on Code is PO141, O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction, (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
So far, I have changed out the O2 Sensor involved, driver side (bank 1) and the second sensor (Sensor 2) and reset the CEL. It came right back on about 1/2 tank of gas later. The Ranger has 80,000 miles on it, engine compression is good, otherwise the engine and truck seems to run fine.
It does have the modifications as described in my signature, and no, dont suggest to go back to either a 180 or 195 degree stat, because i wont be doing that. Thanks- but the much better performance I have observed in many vehicles (not just this ranger) will mean that running 175 degree water temp (not 160 or 220) is what i will continue doing. I am not convinced that the CEL code and the stat are related anyway.
However, i would like to hear any insight anyone might have, especially if you have had that same code or seen it, and what you might have done to fix it. Thank you very much - J.D.
So far, I have changed out the O2 Sensor involved, driver side (bank 1) and the second sensor (Sensor 2) and reset the CEL. It came right back on about 1/2 tank of gas later. The Ranger has 80,000 miles on it, engine compression is good, otherwise the engine and truck seems to run fine.
It does have the modifications as described in my signature, and no, dont suggest to go back to either a 180 or 195 degree stat, because i wont be doing that. Thanks- but the much better performance I have observed in many vehicles (not just this ranger) will mean that running 175 degree water temp (not 160 or 220) is what i will continue doing. I am not convinced that the CEL code and the stat are related anyway.
However, i would like to hear any insight anyone might have, especially if you have had that same code or seen it, and what you might have done to fix it. Thank you very much - J.D.
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JD, you may have changed the wrong sensor. Bank 1 is the passenger side. Bank 1 is normally on the side that has the number 1 cylinder, which is the passenger side on the 4.0 ohv.
I hope you kept the old sensor; it's probably still good. Try switching the sensor to the other bank and see if the CEL goes off.
A heater circuit failure is almost always either a bad O2 sensor or break/short in the wiring. Sometimes the wiring will short against the exhaust pipes or manifolds.
Good luck.
I hope you kept the old sensor; it's probably still good. Try switching the sensor to the other bank and see if the CEL goes off.
A heater circuit failure is almost always either a bad O2 sensor or break/short in the wiring. Sometimes the wiring will short against the exhaust pipes or manifolds.
Good luck.
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I had no idea that bank 1 would be the passenger side! Thanks for the tip.
No, i didnt keep the sensor- i surely should have. But i will check out the wiring and/or replace the other sensor and see what happens, and post it. Thanks- J.D.
No, i didnt keep the sensor- i surely should have. But i will check out the wiring and/or replace the other sensor and see what happens, and post it. Thanks- J.D.
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O2 sensor issue....
Yes, I did replace that sensor (and since there is only one other O2 sensor, i just replaced it too) and so far, that check engine light is off! Thanks a lot!
Its nice to have the ole check engine light off - the engine seems to run smoother, it gets about 20 mpg now, just overall runs better. It is the best i have ever seen this truck run since i have owned it. Never backfires, pings, detonates, and starts instantly every single time. Warms up fast too for good heat. (electric fan- no mechanical fan)
SO- YOU CAN run a 160 degree thermostat (and 170-175 degree water temp) and NOT turn on the check engine light! (at least not so far- if it comes on again i will post again) So far all those folks that claim you will run in "open loop" with a 160 stat in a 4.0 Ranger- it is simply not true. I have one, no check engine light is on due to help here and changing the O2 sensor. Thanks again! J.D.
Its nice to have the ole check engine light off - the engine seems to run smoother, it gets about 20 mpg now, just overall runs better. It is the best i have ever seen this truck run since i have owned it. Never backfires, pings, detonates, and starts instantly every single time. Warms up fast too for good heat. (electric fan- no mechanical fan)
SO- YOU CAN run a 160 degree thermostat (and 170-175 degree water temp) and NOT turn on the check engine light! (at least not so far- if it comes on again i will post again) So far all those folks that claim you will run in "open loop" with a 160 stat in a 4.0 Ranger- it is simply not true. I have one, no check engine light is on due to help here and changing the O2 sensor. Thanks again! J.D.
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Hey,
I bought 99 ranger w/ 4.0 used and drove it for 3 months with minimal heat. When I went to replace thermostat with a "warmer" one, I found 92/106 deg. Motorcraft (OEM I believe, that was wrong all along) thermostat installed. I NEVER saw a CEL during that period!
I bought 99 ranger w/ 4.0 used and drove it for 3 months with minimal heat. When I went to replace thermostat with a "warmer" one, I found 92/106 deg. Motorcraft (OEM I believe, that was wrong all along) thermostat installed. I NEVER saw a CEL during that period!
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Glad you got it fixed, J.D. The PCM goes into closed loop somewhere around 140*, so your 160* must be working fine. I plan to swap to a 180* myself next spring. I think a cooler thermostat helps with the potential pinging problems that these engines seem to be plagued with.
Cory, do you mean a 192* thermostat? I've never seen a 92*or a 106*.
Cory, do you mean a 192* thermostat? I've never seen a 92*or a 106*.
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92deg/106deg?
To theloerangerxlt,
That was a Motorcraft "Made in Germany" Thermostat marked 92/106.(At 92 deg. it begins to open and at 106 deg. it is fully open. One gent replied that since it is German made it could be Celcius . 92 C = 197 F or so.
I'm not sure Ford would be that dim at putting the motor together, so I took the old T-stat and put it in water to bring up to temp on stove. Was able to see it begin opening at about 95 deg F, so I still believe it was wrong T-stat and there are probably plenty more out there. I too have a 15 minute drive to work and temps here in NE US have been setting record lows. I still get warm air at the 6-7 minute mark.
Hope this helps you!
KS
That was a Motorcraft "Made in Germany" Thermostat marked 92/106.(At 92 deg. it begins to open and at 106 deg. it is fully open. One gent replied that since it is German made it could be Celcius . 92 C = 197 F or so.
I'm not sure Ford would be that dim at putting the motor together, so I took the old T-stat and put it in water to bring up to temp on stove. Was able to see it begin opening at about 95 deg F, so I still believe it was wrong T-stat and there are probably plenty more out there. I too have a 15 minute drive to work and temps here in NE US have been setting record lows. I still get warm air at the 6-7 minute mark.
Hope this helps you!
KS
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Yes, that CEL is still off and i posted several months ago- (its been 10,000 miles since then) and i still run that 160 degree thermostat, and with an electric fan. Its gotten down to 0 degrees and i get plenty of heat, quickly too. But I'm sure I wouldnt get good heat without the electric fan- which doesnt come on until 170 degrees water temp- and gets the engine into closed loop a lot faster too, esp in the winter. J.D.
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