Hi all...I have a 89 ranger 2.3 ( 4 cyl-8 plugs) with engine light on and loss of power. Ran scanner code and it was 'code 88'. changed o2 sensor but stll the same . whats the problem?

any help much appreciated.....thanks

 

Ouch.

Hopefully that spent money on the O2 sensor was something you can sleep off. The code 88 I get for 83-later Ford trucks, from the Haynes emissions manual (good reading and worth the money) are:

Code Test Condition Probable cause
88 O Choke relay out of specified ranger
88 C Loss of dual plug input control

The choke relay has to be for carb truck, like the 351 HD trucks, and the like, so that's out.

From what I got the other day when I got my t-stat changed and the mechanic bumped some wiring by accident....the DP input involves either loosened or corroded wiring running into the coil packs. Check those connectors (I don't mean the plug wires, either, but go for them, too) and the ones coming from the ignition coil. The coil pack(s) are not getting juice or something of that sort. My 94 code was 211, I believe, but the definition was the same. My tach was dead, then some fiddling got it to 400 revs, half of normal, then we cleaned and reconnected the coil pack connector.

Next time, or anytime, really, don't throw parts at a code you are guessing at. Seeing that you didn't know what the "code 88" meant, you were easy to spot. Not trying to belittle, but that can be an expensive lesson, especially seeing how many others see a CE light and toss in an O2 sensor or 4 and hope somehow they can fool a computer with more computing power than Apollo 11 into thinking they fixed everything because that's what they hope to just happen!

Good luck.

 

thanks AlfredB1979

I will try that sometime today as it has been a nightmare. I know there is a burnt wire that goes to the coilpack but I thought it still had a good connection, maybe not. The let doesn't always come on but mainly when engine gets warm.

don't party to much tonight....Happy Newyear

 

AlfredB1979

I checked all the wires and they seem alright. Could the coilpacks be bad or will they go all out at once. The check engine light doesn't always come on thats what is puzzling

thanks

 

loss of dual plug input ........is that the driver side that i need to check for?

thanks