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Check engine light.       #: 779
 Moderated by: NoPower, Mike69, MaDMaXX,
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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 11:37 am
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squirrelhunter
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 Do the check engine lights come on after so many miles to remind you to service them on the 1999 Rangers like they do on some vehicles? Ours came on the last time we drove it,but it runs fine. I checked it with the Ford Rotunda T Handle tester and run a diagnostic scan on it and it said it passed. I've got a couple different diagnostic cards for the tester and I checked it with both of them and it passed both times. I guess I could try doing it with the cords to also have it hooked up to the PCM too but I'm not quite sure where it's at on this truck. I've tried looking it up but I've gotten a few different locations.  It's a Supercab 4x4 with a 3.0.
Any help would be appreciated.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 12:13 pm
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 I had a '98, and I don't think they come on for service intervals. Maybe someone else can chime in here as well.

I'm not familiar with the tester you mentioned, does it show you the OBD2 trouble codes? My understanding is that a trouble code is the only thing to set the CEL off. If your tester doesn't, most auto parts stores will scan for codes for you, and in some places either reset them, or let you reset it while they 'look away'...
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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 12:28 pm
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squirrelhunter
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 Yeah it checks for OBD2 trouble codes,it's the tester the Ford Service Garages used up until 2,006. It's got 3 different cards you can put in for diagnosing different systems,brake bleeds,reprogramming the computer settings etc. It said it passed. That's what got me thinking I may need to have it check the PCM too but didn't know if a problem there would make the engine light come on or if another light would come on or if I needed to have it plugged into the PCM too to get an accurate OBD2 diagnostic test,I just had it plugged into the diagnostic test plug. I may have to try and get another code reader when I get the money but that won't be for a couple of months. I have 1 that works for the 94's but the test plug is different on the '99 and it won't plug into it.

Last edited on Sat Apr 14th, 2018 12:45 pm by squirrelhunter



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 01:47 pm
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JAMMAN

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 No it does not come on at intervals on a 98, 99, 00 or 01 I know for sure.

Forscan is what us folks on this board use for just about everything. Nigel has programmed keys since he has been here, Anthony is like the forscan guru, TAW uses it frequently, I have played and diagnosed a bad O2 sensor, if you make the move to forscan there are multiples here that can be summoned to help even if they don't visit daily.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 03:31 pm
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squirrelhunter
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 What's forscan?

I did some more checking with the tester and the only code in the system was for a gross leak in the evaporative system. I cleared the codes and the engine light went out. Might be time for a new evaporative canister.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 03:35 pm
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JAMMAN

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 UGH there are a few things that can cause that. Not familiar.

Forscan is a free software that runs in windows, and requires a good ELM327 interface device that is real cheap. I upgraded to a bluetooth and I'm sure it was less than 30 bucks. I had an older one USB that I gave away to a member here.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 03:50 pm
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squirrelhunter
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 I did a little research and it looks like there's a lot of non-working adapters for it too,how would I know if it's a good 1,make sure it's an ELM327? I've got Bluetooth on my laptop and phone both.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 03:51 pm
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squirrelhunter
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Last edited on Sat Apr 14th, 2018 03:55 pm by squirrelhunter



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 04:00 pm
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JAMMAN

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 I bought this one on a recommendation from another forum. I can confirm it is sliced bread LOL. Works with everything.

https://bafxpro.com/products/obdreader

Forscan on a laptop is best, the mobile version I don't like as well I believe there is things you cannot do in mobile that they include in windows version.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 04:16 pm
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squirrelhunter
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 Thanks bunches



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 04:22 pm
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squirrelhunter
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 Wish I'd known about this before I'd spent over $600 on the other tester :brute:verymad

Last edited on Sat Apr 14th, 2018 04:23 pm by squirrelhunter



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 05:21 pm
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JAMMAN

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 Sell it on e-bay. People will buy almost anything



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 05:34 pm
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RCR4V3N
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 No Rangers came with a maintenance reminder system. The 99% of the time, an evap leak is a loose fuel cap.
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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 05:43 pm
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Mike69

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 If you have never replaced the fuel filler pipe I would check that & the hoses from the pipe to the gas tank for any leaks.The filler pipe & the hoses on my 2000 Ranger were leaking causing the same code back when I purchased my truck in 2013.



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 I have a Panlong Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII Car Diagnostic Scanner that I got on Amazon for $10.

I am using Torque Pro ($5) and OBD Car Doctor (free).



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 07:20 pm
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 JAMMAN wrote:
I bought this one on a recommendation from another forum. I can confirm it is sliced bread LOL. Works with everything.

https://bafxpro.com/products/obdreader

Forscan on a laptop is best, the mobile version I don't like as well I believe there is things you cannot do in mobile that they include in windows version.
That is the adapter that Anthony recommended I think.  I don't have it, I have another that I paid $20 for I think.  I haven't gone to Forscan yet as I have other make vehicles I need to scan (no laptop either as I despise them), so I am using the Torque app, $5, I am in for all of $25.  Has been VERY helpful!
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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 08:31 pm
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JAMMAN

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 Torque is my go to for reading codes only I guess I have no idea how to do anything else with it.

I do have another on my phone hang on.

OBD Car doctor pro just like Tony wow we have the exact same 2 apps on our phones for codes go figure.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 10:05 pm
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squirrelhunter
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 JAMMAN wrote:
Sell it on e-bay. People will buy almost anything
I may do that,that's where I got it all from.



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 Posted: Sat Apr 14th, 2018 10:22 pm
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 I have used Torque Pro to calibrate the speedometer in both my Ranger and Mini Cooper. Both were showing 4-5 MPH off on the speedometer at 60 MPH.

I also use Torque to display speed and RPM while running down the road. I have a dark tint and I cannot see the instrument panel so I have a mount just over the tach to hold my cell phone.

I need to get with Buggman and get an LED kit. When I replace the lights with LEDs I also want to switch out to a whiteface gauges. Project for the future.



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 Posted: Sun Apr 15th, 2018 03:05 pm
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Mike69

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 Tsquare wrote:
I need to get with Buggman and get an LED kit. When I replace the lights with LEDs I also want to switch out to a whiteface gauges. Project for the future.
I installed the LED's I got from buggman last weekend. I used the white LED's with the white faced gauges & at night the lighting is brighter then the stock dash lights & very even light distribution with no dark or bright spots. I just have to replace the 2 lights in the HVAC controls to finish it off.



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