91 Ranger - "Check Engine Light"
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: LaGrange, Ga
91 Ranger - "Check Engine Light"
Greetings,
I just found the forum through a google search and Im hoping someone here can help me. My problem started a few weeks back, What happens is the check engine light comes on and the tach immediately drops to about 700 rpm. The tach never reads higher than about 1200 rpm while Im driving it. I would like to fix this myself but I would like to know if maybe this could be something major.
Any suggestions?
wgea
I just found the forum through a google search and Im hoping someone here can help me. My problem started a few weeks back, What happens is the check engine light comes on and the tach immediately drops to about 700 rpm. The tach never reads higher than about 1200 rpm while Im driving it. I would like to fix this myself but I would like to know if maybe this could be something major.
Any suggestions?
wgea
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,221
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From: Homer, Alaska
First you need to pull the codes to see what is wrong. Go to the technical notes at the top of this forum for info on how to do it. If you have a scanner, it is easier, but on yours, you can do it with a VOM. Then post whatever codes may show up for solutions.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Welcome to FTE!As mentioned, first thing you have to do is pull the trouble code(s) that are stored in your engine's computer. When the CEL comes on you know the computer saw something wrong and stored the code(s). You can pull the codes yourself on your EEC-IV system, it is not that difficult, maybe a tad intimidating at first, but easy to get the hang of, and a very important diagnostic tool. Here are a couple of tutorials that describe the process:
http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html
http://www.smpcorp.com/download/view/Tt4Q98.PDF
Once you pull the code(s), post them here and then we'll be able to get you going in the right direction.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
The code descriptions can be found here: http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/2digit.html
The 18 code (Ignition TACH signal erratic) confirms your tachometer problems.
What engine do you have?
The 18 code (Ignition TACH signal erratic) confirms your tachometer problems.
What engine do you have?
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New User
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From: LaGrange, Ga
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
I can send you some diagnostic material on the 2.3L DIS ignition system, and code 18 inparticular, if you send me an email requesting same.
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code 88
i have been having the same problem i thought i had got it worked out but it does it when ever it wants to sometimes as long as up to a couple of weeks. but anyway i was driving along thursday evening down the interstate when i heard a rattle like i had no water in the radiator. i looked down and noticed the temp gauge all the way to the right. i pulled over onto the shoulder and the truck died. got it towed home and let it cool down overnight and put water in it but now it will not fire up the engine cranks but not smooth. i pulled the code and got code 88 can someone please help ?
its a 1991 ford ranger 2.3
its a 1991 ford ranger 2.3
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Have you checked to see if the timing belt broke??
Do you have spark and fuel pressure?
The code 88 points to an ignition problem but that might be due to the broken timing belt disabling/damaging a positioning sensor, I'm not real familar with the 4 bangers.
Do you have spark and fuel pressure?
The code 88 points to an ignition problem but that might be due to the broken timing belt disabling/damaging a positioning sensor, I'm not real familar with the 4 bangers.
