Hi, My parents have a 1999 Ford Ranger V6 that must be the flex fuel type. They have asked me to see if I can help them find a flex fuel sensor for their truck. I have done a lot of searching and am having a hard time finding anywhere that sells the part. I was hoping someone here may know of a place they could get one. The dealer wants over $400 for it.
Is there a way that it can be bypassed? It seems like it would only be needed if you were planning on running an alternative fuel in the truck (they don't). I don't know much about it, but I think it could be bypassed somehow.
If anyone can help in any way I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

I have a `99, V6, "FFV" and am not aware of the sensor you are speaking of, and certainly not for $400.00 - perhaps its a sensor located inside the fuel-tank and the $400 is for part AND labor (?).

 

Thanks for the reply. This is what they told me "the part is located under the driver on the frame not on the motor". So I'm not sure as I've never seen it either. I'm really not even sure what problem they are having that makes them say this is bad. If anyone could tell me a good place to find Ford truck parts like this for cheap I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Nov-02 AT 12:27 PM (EST)]>Thanks for the reply. This is what they told me "the part is
>located under the driver on the frame not on the motor". So
>I'm not sure as I've never seen it either. I'm really not
>even sure what problem they are having that makes them say
>this is bad. If anyone could tell me a good place to find
>Ford truck parts like this for cheap I'd appreciate it.
>Thanks.


I know this is where the fuel "filter" is located, replaced mine (WITH some HELP!) a little over a year ago - part from local auto-supply store, I believe in the $15.00 to $20.00 range, maybe a couple more bucks - my "GUESS" is that the "dealership" wants $400 for this job in addition to probably an injector "cleaning" and Lord knows what else - check back w/ your folks, and then PIN the "dealership" DOWN!

A fuel FILTER (though again, there could be an FFV "sensor" that I'm not aware of) replaced, even w/ an injector cleaning, should not cost more than 1/2 of what they're quoting - ask politely EXACTLY what they'd do for $400.00, and then - PIN `EM DOWN!!

Best, Glenn . . . PS - Check over in the "Fuel Inject.\Carb & Fuel System" forum - you will probably get a quicker response there - meanwhile I'll be thumbing through my "Haynes" (repair) manual.

 

Flexible Fuel Vehicles can run on fuel ethanol or on unleaded gasoline. The flex fuel sensor detects the alcohol content of the fuel to determine what type of fuel is being used. The FFV fuel system components are made from special materials to withstand the ethanol fuel. It is located on the frame rail and has an electrical connector. Can't help with a low cost replacement.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Nov-02 AT 07:24 PM (EST)]Thanks for all the help. I'm pretty sure they will be ok with the bad sensor then. They say the truck runs fine, but the check engine light is on all the time. I think they will just live with it like that rather then pay for a new part.

 

I had the FF Sensor go out in my 99. I paid over 600 for the dealer to replace it after waiting a month for the part because it was backordered.

 

Theres got to be a way to fool the computer into thinking it's sill there. I'd unplug the thing and clear the codes. If the code came back I'd take a reading of the connection and either short it or stick a resistor in there...

 

I was told by a dealer that in California this sensor is covered by the 7yr/70,000 mile emissions warranty. I would imagine that in other states it would be covered by the 5yr/50,000 mile emissions warranty.
I would call a couple of dealers in your area

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-Jan-03 AT 11:11 AM (EST)]I did somemore research on this and found out you can not replace the sensor with a resistor. The sensor generates a frequency depending on what type of fuel you use. The higer the alcohol content the higher the frequency. This is probably the reason for such a high cost. If the frequency goes to high, the PCM thinks the truck is running on a high amount of ethanol at this point and will run rich to the point of leaving soot from the tailpipe.

I was also told these connectors have a water problem. Check and clean the connector at the sensor and at the bulkhead. (connector under the truck/ under the driver seat)

 

Greenpus - Thanks for the research and the "tips"!

Once again - more proof that this is THE place to be for Ford Truck owners!

 

 

Can you eliminate that sensor.

 

my dealer told me 454.00 list for the part

 

I don't think so, it would mess with the PCM since it's expecting a signal to determine the fuel strategy. The only thing you could do would be to convert it over to a non-FFV which would cost more I bet.