Problems with hesitation and confusing symptoms

[nessa]

I have a 99 Ranger v6 4.0. Thanks to some great help from you vets I was able to tackle my first problem a few months ago and replace my very own clockspring. YAY ME! Now I'm having another issue and hoping I can get some guidance here on tackling it. I noticed some weird hesitation when I drove a couple weeks ago. It wasn't constant and just felt like I was going to run out of gas or something but then it would go away. The truck never died or got loud and jerky or anything. I pulled the code and got P1450. Then a couple days ago I went to pull the code again to double check it so I could come here and look it up and I got the same P1450 but now also a P0306. I've just replaced the gas cap and had the fuel filter replaced last week crossing my fingers that it was something small and not too involved but sadly that didn't fix it. The fuses and relays are all good. I have the Haynes manual and tried to listen for the pump like it tells you in the early diagnosis stages but I live alone and have no "assistant" to turn the key for me to listen to it start up so I can only listen while it's running and I have no idea what I'm listening for. Is it a very loud sound? Will it be super obvious when it happens? I hear a whirring sound when I put my ear to the spot where I take the gas cap off but I don't know if that's the pump or just the sound of the truck running. I have no idea how to tell. So I don't know what to try next. I'm hoping someone out there knows what the code means and what the likely causes are. I'm trying not to drive it so I don't make it worse. It never has died or failed to start but I'd like to get it fixed for a long drive I need to make next week. Any help would be HUGELY appreciated.

Thanks!
Venessa

 

[rwenzing]

P1450 - Unable to Bleed Up Fuel Tank Vacuum

Monitors the fuel vapor vacuum and pressure in the fuel tank. The system failure occurs when the EVAP running loss monitor detects excessive fuel tank vacuum with the engine running (but not at idle).

• Blockages or kinks in EVAP canister tube or EVAP canister purge outlet tube (between fuel tank, EVAP canister purge valve and EVAP canister)
• Fuel filler cap stuck closed (no vacuum relief)
• Contaminated fuel vapor elbow on EVAP canister
• Restricted EVAP canister
• CV solenoid stuck open (partially or fully)
• Plugged CV solenoid filter
• EVAP canister purge valve stuck open
• VREF circuit open (harness near FTP sensor, FTP sensor or PCM)
• Damaged FTP sensor

Translation: The gas cap or carbon canister might be plugged. Something like a hose could be pinched or blocked in the evaporative emissions system, probably in the fuel tank or canister area. Possible problem with one of the solenoids or sensors that monitor or control the evap system.

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P0306 - Misfire Detection Monitor - Cylinder 6

The misfire detection monitor is designed to monitor engine misfire and identify the specific cylinder in which the misfire has occurred. Misfire is defined as lack of combustion in a cylinder due to absence of spark, poor fuel metering, poor compression, or any other cause.

• Ignition system
• Fuel injectors
• Running out of fuel
• EVAP canister purge valve
• Fuel pressure
• Evaporative emission system
• Base engine

Translation: You could have a bad spark plug or ignition wire on cylinder 6 (farthest back on the driver side). Possible plugged injector. These fit with the hesitation or jerking that you are feeling. Also this code might be related to whatever is causing the P1450.

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The fuel pump makes a steady whine when the engine is running but it may be masked by other noises. Some fuel pumps are louder than others.

If you key on the ignition without starting the engine, the pump will whine for a second or two and then shut off. You should be able to hear it if you stand outside the truck when you turn the key.