2.9L & 3.0L V6 Tech General discussion of 2.9L and 3.0L V6 Ford Ranger engines.

help!! engine running too rich

Old Sep 24, 2007
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help!! engine running too rich

a day ago my engine light came on, so i took it to the nearest advance auto place where they checked it and told me that the engine was running too rich on both sides

they told me that they could not tell me more than that, so i have no clue what to do

they gave me two codes that the computer displayed p0172 and p0175 has anyone had this problem before? any help would be appreciated thanks...
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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There are fewer reasons to run rich than to run lean. A couple of things to check could be a dirty MAF sensor or possible lazy oxygen sensors. If you have a K&N or other oiled element filter, the dirty MAF is a good bet. It is not a common problem but high fuel pressure could do it too.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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yes i do have an after market air filter ill go check out my maf sensor in the morning
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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by saying high fuel pressure what exactly do you mean?
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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Check out obd-codes.com, they have a pretty good summary of whats going on and how you might go about fixing it.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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k thanks ill go do that right now
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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Originally Posted by panzer
by saying high fuel pressure what exactly do you mean?
I mean out of spec, in your truck's case, greater than about 65PSI. This is probably not one of the things you want to check first because it requires a special pressure gauge/fitting to check it and the regulator that controls the pressure is inside the fuel tank. Like I said, it's possible but not likely that high fuel pressure is causing these codes.
 
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Old Sep 24, 2007
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ah ok, thanks im hoping that it will be just my air sensor, i haven't cleaned my filter in a while and i never cleaned the sensor
 
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Old Sep 25, 2007
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well i took my maf sensor off and cleaned it with a q-tip and some warm water yet my light is still on anything else i can do to try to solve the problem?
 
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Old Sep 25, 2007
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I think electrical cleaner or MAF cleaner works better.
 
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Old Sep 25, 2007
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when my check engine light came on, i went to a auto parts store and they told me the 4x4 low switch was malfunctioning and i was like wtf im 2wd!!!??
 
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Old Sep 25, 2007
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Originally Posted by Matt3203
when my check engine light came on, i went to a auto parts store and they told me the 4x4 low switch was malfunctioning and i was like wtf im 2wd!!!??


lol nice what did they say to that
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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From: phenix city, alabama
Originally Posted by panzer
lol nice what did they say to that
all they said was "im just reading it off here, i have no idea". i was like geez your were a big waste of time, thanks
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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Originally Posted by rwenzing
There are fewer reasons to run rich than to run lean. A couple of things to check could be a dirty MAF sensor or possible lazy oxygen sensors. If you have a K&N or other oiled element filter, the dirty MAF is a good bet. It is not a common problem but high fuel pressure could do it too.
Normally a contaminated (dirty) MAF sensor will cause a lean condition, not a rich condition. This is due to a dirty MAF sensor measuring a lower air flow than is actually flowing, which causes the PCM to reduce fuel (smaller injector pulse width).
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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that makes sense, so what are my options? take it to the dealer?
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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Originally Posted by panzer
that makes sense, so what are my options? take it to the dealer?
Just one other thought.....check to see if your engine coolant temp sensor is properly connected. If it opens up, it will cause a rich condition.....
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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sorry for a stupid question but where is it located?
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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Originally Posted by panzer
sorry for a stupid question but where is it located?
Mine is a 2-wire sensor next to the thermostat housing on my 1999 (see picture below). I've heard it might be different on the newer 3.0Ls......we need Bob's help
on this for an '02:

 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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thanks a lot very helpful ill go see if it is the problem
 
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Old Sep 27, 2007
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i found the sensor it seems to be in the same location , it was plugged in there good, but just to make sure i disconnected and reconnected it, yet it failed to resolve the problem
 
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Old Jul 27, 2011
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can you use throttle body cleaner for the MAF?
 
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Old Jul 27, 2011
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Originally Posted by Kris03
can you use throttle body cleaner for the MAF?
no, you need electrical cleaner.

good job on searching, you found a 4 year old thread lol
 
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Old Jul 27, 2011
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haha yea i was searching through and just been reading every thread i come across.
 
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Old Jul 27, 2011
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yes you can bro. CRC makes air intake cleaner. its non chlorinated so it will not harm your MAF just dont blast it too close cuz the pressure could bend/snap your wires. yes you can jut use CRC.

now let this thread die another death haha
 
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Old Jul 27, 2011
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thanks man. and thanks for the tip on the pressure too close for the sensor. i took my MAF out and someone put the adapter upside down. dont know what exactly to call it but its the part that the air filter connects to which connects to the heat blocker which then connects to the MAF. but yea ima clean that out today...thank you
 
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