In my 98 Ranger my check engine light is on. I had it scanned and it was saying that I had a MAF problem. I forgot the code..sorry. it was also telling me that I was running too lean and I had bad O2 sensors. So, I have yet to fix these problems and I can swear to you that I am getting AT BEST 10 miles to the gallon. I drive 30 miles to work one way and when I get home I would have used up a little over 1/4 tank. Are these problems causing my poor mileage? I love my truck....but this mileage is killing me and my wallet. HELP!!!

 

It would be more economical to fix the problems, than to keep paying 3 bucks a gallon and only getting 10 miles to it.

Yes, a bad MAF can cause very poor gas mileage.

Yes, a bad O2 sensor can cause very poor gas mileage.

However, fix the MAF first, before trying the O2. It's possible the MAF is causing a lean/rich condition which is tripping the O2 sensor problem.

Remove the negative lead from your battery.
Get a can of Electronic Parts cleaner at the auto parts store. Remove your MAF from the intake tube and air box lid.
Spray the tiny electrical contacts lightly with cleaner, and let it drip-dry.
Re-install and reconnect the battery making sure all electrical connections are secure. If you still get the same message, you'll need to replace the MAF.

 

Thank you so much for that...I plan on taking care of my MAf on my next day off.

 

Depending on the mileage of the truck, I don't think O2 sensors are that expensive and changing them should be considered normal maintenance. They are also not that difficult to change out. Usually a bad MAF sensor will cause the truck to run very poorly. Mine would barely run when it went bad.

 

My 02 sensors were $29.99 each, which I consider much more expensive than a bottle of electrical cleaner for $5.

 

i second "04 edge" responce

the computer reads the amout of air entering the engine via the MAF if you have a vacuume leak between the MAF and the Pistons then your getting "false air" the computer interprits this as a faulty MAF because it thinks the MAf is reading incorrectly BUT its just not reading all of the air entering the engine..

so start your vehicle make sure its in park and go open the hood...
listen for a sucking sound and try to narrow down the area its comming from, once you narrow it down to within a few inch radiu you can use a piece of hose and put it up to your ear and listen with it to eliminate outside noise so you can pinpoint the leak .. if that doeant work you can use a small.. SMALL amount of brake cleaner when you hit the leak the enigne will change idle speed and or sound different and might even missfire...

good luck JOSH

 

my old 98 ran the exact same thing... i changed the MAF and it fixed it for about a month, then the check engine light came back on. i ignored for a few days and changed the spark plugs cuz they just needed to be changed. the light went away and never came back

 

So Johnny...did ya clean the MAF?