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'97 Ranger running rough, missing

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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 11:43 AM
  #1  
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'97 Ranger running rough, missing

All at once my ranger began to run rough. It is a super cab, fleet truck with no extras except: 3L v6, air, and overdrive automatic transmission.

It has a hard vibration when idling; loss of power (especially in high gear); the exhaust sounds like a cylinder is missing, but the engine does not. And my gas mileage went down immediately when the problem started.

I replaced the air filter and oxygen sensors and cleaned the EGR valve best as I could. The problem is a bit better, but not gone by any means.

Any suggestions?

jeff <><
 
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 12:55 PM
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Might be a vacuum leak. What codes have you pulled?
 
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:08 PM
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Several codes came up, all said oxygen sensor. So I replaced them all. I did not get the codes cleared yet. My AutoZone won't do it any more; they only check them they say. The check engine light came on after I changed the air filter and had a vacuum hose pop off. I did not get it back on and the light came on.

It does run like there is a vacuum leak, but I can't find one. The engine runs quiet and mostly smooth (except for the shake like it is missing on one cylinder). I can't hear any air or find any loose hoses, etc. Over all, though, the problem does seem like a leak, and the first thing I did was look for loose hoses.

What about fouled plugs? My air filter was covered with some sort of greasy, black, sooty stuff. It looked rather fresh, too.

jeff <><
 
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:46 PM
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Theres a lot of different O-2 codes. Bank 1 or bank 2 lean or rich, O-2 circuit open, O-2 slow response etc.

So what you need to do now is take it back to Autozone, get the codes pulled again, write them down & post them here.

I was helpng a guy awhile back who had O-2 open circuit codes. After replacing all 3 O-2s he asked why he was still getting the O-2 codes.

It was because he had a short in the O-2 wiring & a blown HEGO fuse.

So get the codes pulled again & post them here.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 01:51 PM
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Exclamation

Originally Posted by JHolt
Several codes came up, all said oxygen sensor. So I replaced them all. I did not get the codes cleared yet. My AutoZone won't do it any more; they only check them they say. The check engine light came on after I changed the air filter and had a vacuum hose pop off. I did not get it back on and the light came on.
jeff <><

Ah, like 87 XLT was getting to, you fell for the noobie trap of not doing any actual diagnosis after you get codes.

I'll say it again....Oxygen Snesors are the symptoms in most cases that a code comes up for them. Yes, they get dirty and "die", but all they do is sniff what comes out the tailpipe. Going by that logic, that means the problem lies in the engine somewhere. Fair enough.

Well, maybe you were going to need the sensors sooner than later....

Anyway, bring us the code numbers and we (or anyone still onshore) go from there.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 02:34 PM
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I don't remember the code numbers but they all said bank 1 or 2 lean.

AlfredB1979, Don't call me a noobie, please. It is unlikely that I rate that nice a call. I can do the mechanical stuff, but diagnosis is not my strong suit.

Thanks for the help. I will try to get back soon.

jeff <><
 
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Old Jul 27, 2005 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by JHolt
Several codes came up, all said oxygen sensor. So I replaced them all. I did not get the codes cleared yet. My AutoZone won't do it any more; they only check them they say. The check engine light came on after I changed the air filter and had a vacuum hose pop off. I did not get it back on and the light came on.

It does run like there is a vacuum leak, but I can't find one. The engine runs quiet and mostly smooth (except for the shake like it is missing on one cylinder). I can't hear any air or find any loose hoses, etc. Over all, though, the problem does seem like a leak, and the first thing I did was look for loose hoses.

What about fouled plugs? My air filter was covered with some sort of greasy, black, sooty stuff. It looked rather fresh, too.

jeff <><
This might sound a tad bit stupid but have you did a tuneup recently? *change all spark plugs and wires ect ect* and even if u baught a oxygen censor the one u baught might have ben bad *happened to me several times* a tuneup should stop some of the ideling (if not all of it) and about the gas milage not sure..... but goodluck and hopefully this thread will HELP a little *im more of a diesel mechanic *sigh* so ya sorry!
 
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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 05:47 AM
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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 06:55 AM
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all you need to do to clear the codes is disconnect the battery. If the problem is still there, the computer will start throwing codes, again.
 
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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 12:26 PM
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Well, my codes are now cleared. I have replaced the air filter, plugs & wires, oil an filter and cleaned out the egr. I also replaced the pcv valve, but nothing happened so I replaced the original as the replacement was not exactly the right shape.


My truck runs a lot better, but still has loss of power. I could replace the fuel filter, but this seems like a waste of time. The engine seems to run great until I put it in "drive". When I get on the highway and shift into high gear I can feel the engine bog down. There is also still a bit of vibration when accelerating.

Any further suggestions? Oh, yeah, not more check engine light or codes.

jeff <><
 
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Old Jul 28, 2005 | 12:42 PM
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If it's bogging down at high PRM's i'd connect a vacuum gauge & check for a clogged cat.
And check fuel pressure.
 
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