amber check engine light

franco123 · 03-28-2012, 10:13 PM

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum. My son has a 2005 ford ranger 2 wheel drive. He recently had a oil change. Since then his check engine light has appeared. The shop I brought it to said that it was running lean. It was either the O2 sensor or the catalytic converter. They cleared the code and said to continue to drive the ranger. The light has reappeared again. Not sure what to do now.

Thanks for any info. And thanks for having me on the forum.

Franco
Hope BC Canada

n.a.mccanna · 03-28-2012, 11:43 PM

This probably isn't any help.....but my check engine light is on 99.9% of the time.....at least I think it is....put a piece of black tape over it about 2 weeks after I got the truck.

Seriously tho, it could be anything.....it's just a sensor sending a message back to the computer. If the truck runs and drives fine, I would say to ignore it, especially if you have taken it to the shop and they have said to continue on.

AutoZone used to do a free code check. (Don't know if they still do). You could go there and double check that the information that you got from the shop is acurate.

Otherwise replace the O2 sensors and see if the light stays out after it's been reset. Not sure if there is any way to test them. Just some ideas. Happy hunting! (GO BLACK TAPE!)

**Tbars4** · 03-28-2012, 11:59 PM

..Get your codes read and bring the code numbers back here so other members can assist you on your fix..

..You will need an ODBII reader to pull the codes while member n.a.mccanna on the other hand only needs a paperclip to check his codes..

swshawaii · 03-29-2012, 03:59 AM

Ditto on getting the DTC number(s) to isolate the issue.
Waste of time and money by guessing and changing parts.

n.a.mccanna · 03-30-2012, 12:30 AM

I have a code 86......REPLACE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!

roboman · 04-04-2012, 01:21 PM

I had a P0174 code come up a few times over the course of a few months on my 99 Explorer (had the 4.0L V6 that the Ranger can also come with, if that's what your son has) which was a "System too lean, bank 2" code. The Explorer had only 74,000 miles on it at that point so I was hearing it was unlikely the O2 sensor had already failed. I probably had 4 or 5 different opinions from people at the oil change place, Auto Zone, and online forums. I ended up having a mechanic look at it, and he could very audibly hear air sneaking through where the worn out upper intake manifold gasket should have been. I had that replaced, and the code went away. Then it sprang back up 5 months later, and was coming back daily after I reset it. I did a visual inspection and discovered that the damn PCV valve was hanging loose outside of the hose coming from the manifold. I replaced the valve while it was partly freed, and the code hasn't come back since.

fifthranger · 04-04-2012, 07:11 PM

Autozone does still check for free if the check engine light comes on and so do other auto parts stores, like O'Reilly's. I had a 97' Ranger that needed an oxygen sensor with low miles, like 60,000ish. It happens since parts do wear out. I, too, wouldn't randomly replace parts since it can get expensive and frustrating. Also, my Ranger had two oxygen sensors -- Bank 1 and Bank 2 or lower and upper. I, think, they can be cleaned very carefully, but I don't think they can simply be tested.

03-28-2012, 10:13 PM	#1
franco123 Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	amber check engine light Hi All, I'm new to this forum. My son has a 2005 ford ranger 2 wheel drive. He recently had a oil change. Since then his check engine light has appeared. The shop I brought it to said that it was running lean. It was either the O2 sensor or the catalytic converter. They cleared the code and said to continue to drive the ranger. The light has reappeared again. Not sure what to do now. Thanks for any info. And thanks for having me on the forum. Franco Hope BC Canada

03-28-2012, 11:59 PM	#3
Tbars4 Offroad Moderator anaheim hills,california 95 ranger 4x4/ 91 X 4x4 Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 22,170 Vehicle Specs	..Get your codes read and bring the code numbers back here so other members can assist you on your fix.. ..You will need an ODBII reader to pull the codes while member n.a.mccanna on the other hand only needs a paperclip to check his codes.. __________________ I have Rocks in my head. What's in yours? '95 ranger xl 4x4 2.3L std cab, 2 sticks Ranger RegistryThe Squirrel '91 4x4=To much to list, much more to add.. Project "X" and more Pics & Mod's List How to: Wheels,Tires, & Lifts... Buy Explorerforum.com Items here

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03-28-2012, 11:43 PM	#2
n.a.mccanna Wannabe Elite Explorer Auburndale, Wisconsin 1994 Mazda B4000 4WD Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs	This probably isn't any help.....but my check engine light is on 99.9% of the time.....at least I think it is....put a piece of black tape over it about 2 weeks after I got the truck. Seriously tho, it could be anything.....it's just a sensor sending a message back to the computer. If the truck runs and drives fine, I would say to ignore it, especially if you have taken it to the shop and they have said to continue on. AutoZone used to do a free code check. (Don't know if they still do). You could go there and double check that the information that you got from the shop is acurate. Otherwise replace the O2 sensors and see if the light stays out after it's been reset. Not sure if there is any way to test them. Just some ideas. Happy hunting! (GO BLACK TAPE!)

03-29-2012, 03:59 AM	#4
swshawaii Wannabe Elite Explorer Kailua-Oahu, Hawaii '05 Sport Trac XLS (RWD) Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2,303 Vehicle Specs	Ditto on getting the DTC number(s) to isolate the issue. Waste of time and money by guessing and changing parts.

03-30-2012, 12:30 AM	#5
n.a.mccanna Wannabe Elite Explorer Auburndale, Wisconsin 1994 Mazda B4000 4WD Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 31 Vehicle Specs	I have a code 86......REPLACE TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!

04-04-2012, 01:21 PM	#6
roboman Wannabe Elite Explorer Michigan 2003 Ranger 4.0L FX4 Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 54 Vehicle Specs	I had a P0174 code come up a few times over the course of a few months on my 99 Explorer (had the 4.0L V6 that the Ranger can also come with, if that's what your son has) which was a "System too lean, bank 2" code. The Explorer had only 74,000 miles on it at that point so I was hearing it was unlikely the O2 sensor had already failed. I probably had 4 or 5 different opinions from people at the oil change place, Auto Zone, and online forums. I ended up having a mechanic look at it, and he could very audibly hear air sneaking through where the worn out upper intake manifold gasket should have been. I had that replaced, and the code went away. Then it sprang back up 5 months later, and was coming back daily after I reset it. I did a visual inspection and discovered that the damn PCV valve was hanging loose outside of the hose coming from the manifold. I replaced the valve while it was partly freed, and the code hasn't come back since.

04-04-2012, 07:11 PM	#7
fifthranger Wannabe Elite Explorer cleveland, oh Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 208 Vehicle Specs	Autozone does still check for free if the check engine light comes on and so do other auto parts stores, like O'Reilly's. I had a 97' Ranger that needed an oxygen sensor with low miles, like 60,000ish. It happens since parts do wear out. I, too, wouldn't randomly replace parts since it can get expensive and frustrating. Also, my Ranger had two oxygen sensors -- Bank 1 and Bank 2 or lower and upper. I, think, they can be cleaned very carefully, but I don't think they can simply be tested.