I filled up one night at the usual chevron station I have used many times, made it home and truck was running like normal. Woke up the next day to drive to work and it was misfiring and idling so rough i thought the engine was going to shake itself apart. The only codes it was running were the o2 sensors and a lean code. I did not have the money to replace them right then, so it sat for about a month until i could afford them. Ordered two new o2 sensors off of Rockauto, installed them and a new fuel pump after draining the fuel tank(which was clean with no trash or anything in it) filled her up with fresh gas and Heet and now when you crank it up, you have to do it 6 or 7 times until it evens out and doesnt misfire. Just recently changed the CTS, Coil Pack, spark plugs,cleaned the MAF, IAC, and the TPS... My question is could this still be bad gas or is this something else?

 

How do the plugs look and what is their gap?

 

Welcome to the forum

What year Ranger and what engine?

O2 sensors were fine if you have a V6 engine, only 1 side would be bad, both can't fail at the same time.

Lean code is a vacuum leak, so what you replaced wouldn't fix that.

Fuel pump failure is a no start, not poor running

What were the EXACT CODE numbers?

And no it wouldn't be "bad gas" at this point, only takes 20-30seconds of running to clear gas tank to engine lines of "bad gas"

 

They looked fine when I checked them,but they are gapped at .46 and I have been told that is a bit much,so I will be buying new ones tomorrow and see if that helps

 

What year and what engine?

 

This is driving me nuts. I went to get in my truck yesterday and it started right up. No problem,no hesitation,and I drove it around to do errands and even when I turned it off and on no problem. Went to work this morning,she cranked fine and had a slight hiccup on the way but it went away. I went out at lunch and cranked it up an it was doing the same crap. What the hell is going on with my truck??? I didn't change the spark plugs because it ran so smooth yesterday. Any Input is appreciated

 

2002 and 3.0

 

Intermittent poor running can be hard to diagnose

2002 3.0l will run 55psi fuel pressure, could be fuel pump is starting to go, cutting off now and then, computer has no "fuel pressure sensor", so can't see that happening.
But it would set Lean codes over time because of the lower pressure

Each time you turn on the key the fuel pump should run for 2 seconds, only 2 seconds, but each time you turn key off and on.
You can hear it run in the cab, turn down the radio
So try testing if you hear the fuel pump EVERY TIME you turn the key on
Repeat as many times as needed, doesn't hurt anything, until you are satisfied it runs every time for those 2 seconds.
If it does NOT run even 1 time then you found the problem

Computer does monitor fuel pump POWER, but not at the fuel pump, in the cab, so could be connector on the tank is loose or wire is damaged causing power drop now and then.

Most other systems are monitored and a malfunction would set a code


Long shot would be the computer itself.
In 2002 the computer is inside the firewall, connector is top passenger side middle of firewall, 104-wires
Ford found out that that was not a good place to mount it because it could get water in the connector if hood gasket leaked.
So they added a cover for it in later years
Disconnect battery!!!!!
And pull off that connector, remove bolt in center, inspect it for water damage

 

Just changed the fuel pump but I haven't had time to test the fuel pressure yet. Yesterday she ran fine had a few hiccups today but didn't throw any codes. I did tighten the shrader valve and put a new rubber seal on the inside of the service port cap because I used it to drain my tank the first time and i also added octane booster as well.i will check that cover and let you know if I find anything.

 

How did the wiring look on the fuel tank connector?