Emissions Light on (flashing), jerky driving
#1
11-17-2016
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Location: New Carlisle, IN
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Emissions Light on (flashing), jerky driving
Hey guys. I need info!
I have a 2005 Ford Ranger access cab (4.0L, v6, 4x4). It has 106k miles on it. I just got new wheel bearings and sway bars put on it. However, my tailpipe was loose and rusty. I pulled it off the muffler and trashed it. The muffler seems to be loose / has a hole in it...my orange engine emissions light has come on and is now flashing when I drive. The vehicle is a little jerky when'd driving. It rattles a little when I am driving slow or braking. My exhaust smells funky and my engine temperature is lower than it should be (it's like barely 25% even when going 70mph)...overall, just not much trust in driving it far. Any ideas? EGR sensor?
I have a 2005 Ford Ranger access cab (4.0L, v6, 4x4). It has 106k miles on it. I just got new wheel bearings and sway bars put on it. However, my tailpipe was loose and rusty. I pulled it off the muffler and trashed it. The muffler seems to be loose / has a hole in it...my orange engine emissions light has come on and is now flashing when I drive. The vehicle is a little jerky when'd driving. It rattles a little when I am driving slow or braking. My exhaust smells funky and my engine temperature is lower than it should be (it's like barely 25% even when going 70mph)...overall, just not much trust in driving it far. Any ideas? EGR sensor?
#2
11-17-2016
Welcome to the forum
From 2001 to 2012 Rangers used the 4.0l SOHC engine, Ford Explorers used same engine starting in 1997
2000 and earlier Rangers used the 4.0l OHV engine, these two 4.0l engines are not related
Just FYI when you search for info, make sure it is about the 4.0l SOHC Rangers
You need a new thermostat and most likely thermostat housing since they are prone to cracking.
Good how-to here: How To Replace the Upper and Lower Thermostat Housing on a Ford 4.0L V6 SOHC Engine
Engine needs to run with coolant temp between 190-210degF, or it will foul spark plugs and generally run poorly.
The thermostat is there for that purpose, it will be rated 190 to 195degF, so will not circulate coolant thru the radiator until coolant in the engine is at/above 190degF.
190-200degF is just below 1/2 on Ford Temperature gauges.
Emission light is flashing because engine temp is too low so Cat converter can't work well and engine is running too Rich, it is like driving around with the Choke on all the time.
When you burn gasoline(H) with air(O) one of the by products is H2O(water) so exhaust system always have water vapor in them, this is why tail pipes often drip out water.
And this is why exhaust systems rust from the inside out.
Most auto parts stores will Read Codes from your computer for free.
WRITE DOWN the code numbers, they are VERY SPECIFIC, "I think the code was....." is worst than no code number at all, WRITE IT DOWN!!!
Post code numbers here, do not buy anything because the Parts Guy says it will fix that code, 90% of parts bought to fix codes were not needed.
Yes, the DPFE sensor(EGR sensor) does need to be replaced every 100k miles or so.
But that will not cause rough running engine.
DPFE sensor fails because of water vapor in the exhaust, same reason your muffler and tail pipe rusted out.
Fix the "cold running" first, and get the Codes.
From 2001 to 2012 Rangers used the 4.0l SOHC engine, Ford Explorers used same engine starting in 1997
2000 and earlier Rangers used the 4.0l OHV engine, these two 4.0l engines are not related
Just FYI when you search for info, make sure it is about the 4.0l SOHC Rangers
You need a new thermostat and most likely thermostat housing since they are prone to cracking.
Good how-to here: How To Replace the Upper and Lower Thermostat Housing on a Ford 4.0L V6 SOHC Engine
Engine needs to run with coolant temp between 190-210degF, or it will foul spark plugs and generally run poorly.
The thermostat is there for that purpose, it will be rated 190 to 195degF, so will not circulate coolant thru the radiator until coolant in the engine is at/above 190degF.
190-200degF is just below 1/2 on Ford Temperature gauges.
Emission light is flashing because engine temp is too low so Cat converter can't work well and engine is running too Rich, it is like driving around with the Choke on all the time.
When you burn gasoline(H) with air(O) one of the by products is H2O(water) so exhaust system always have water vapor in them, this is why tail pipes often drip out water.
And this is why exhaust systems rust from the inside out.
Most auto parts stores will Read Codes from your computer for free.
WRITE DOWN the code numbers, they are VERY SPECIFIC, "I think the code was....." is worst than no code number at all, WRITE IT DOWN!!!
Post code numbers here, do not buy anything because the Parts Guy says it will fix that code, 90% of parts bought to fix codes were not needed.
Yes, the DPFE sensor(EGR sensor) does need to be replaced every 100k miles or so.
But that will not cause rough running engine.
DPFE sensor fails because of water vapor in the exhaust, same reason your muffler and tail pipe rusted out.
Fix the "cold running" first, and get the Codes.
Last edited by RonD; 11-17-2016 at 09:42 AM.
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