Like many posts on this topic, I've been fighting this for a few weeks and learned a lot. My Ranger is a '96 w/2.3L Many here have pointed to the vacuum hoses from the manifold to the canister for leaks. Several have pointed to the purge solenoid which was my initial problem and solved the problem for a couple months, it was stuck open. The new one eventually stuck open. I attributed this to the loose charcoal in the canister getting sucked up the line, I replaced the canister, cleaned the solenoid, it now works as it should. I cut open the old canister and for the life of me don't see how the charcoal pellets can get out of their containment but after they did I can see how they "could" get into the solenoid as a foam filter at the bottom had deteriorated. You can check this by putting a rod down the hose holes and feeling for a cushion at the bottom. Still fighting this code I replaced the purge sensor. The cross reference from the auto parts store shows a Standard Products CP416 as the replacement. I can tell you it is not. If you look through the vacuum hole on my original and compare it to the CP416 it is different and I now was getting a P1445 code. Took it back and exchanged it for a Wells brand PV342 which had the Ford logo and matching numbers.......exactly the same. The P1445 went away but I am still dealing with the P1443. Scratching my head and trying to keep my sanity, what next? I pulled the PV342, plugged the solenoid side and put the vacuum pump on the manifold side, pumped it to 25 in and it bleeds off to 0 in about 3 seconds. Checked the old one, it too leaks but at a much lower rate. I have a replacement on the way. So while my code at this point is inconclusive I would assume the the sensor should be sealed and as is giving me a false reading just like a split vacuum hose. I would suggest others having this problem test the components for leaks also. I'll keep you posted on results of the P1443 code.

 

SUCCESS! Codes are gone (P1000 & P1443) and it reads "system passed". I picked up another Wells sensor, tested it in the store and it leaked as bad as the first one. I did find a CP509, tested it and it has a slight leak about as much as my old one. I bought it but did not install it. I sprayed some carb cleaner in the old one and reinstalled it. It works! Test your sensor and purge valve for leaks after finding your hoses are okay. Just because they may be new don't trust them!!!

 

I've been in contact with Standard Products concerning the CP416 purge sensor and they say it is not a replacement for the 2.3L, it is for the 3.0. I've found various places selling it as a 2.3L replacement. I have also been in contact with Dave Miller at Wells about the problems I had with their PV342 sensor and they are checking into this.

My Ranger's CEL has been off now for 2 weeks, the truck has never run this good since I bought it.

Dick