Hello everyone. I just inherited my dads 97 ranger 2.3L 2wd with engine problems. P1443, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0171. I want to start diagnosing but I'm having a little trouble deciding where to start. Pulled the codes, have the info on each. Rough Idle/dies frequently when cold and after hard acceleration and then coming to a stop. I know before he gave it to me he took it in and had the plugs and wires replaced and the tech said that it might need new lifter springs. I'm thinking of buying a kit to rebuild the head I just need to find a place I can rent the spring compressor tool. Any suggestions would be great
-Preston

 

The P030x codes are individual cylinder misfire codes. Usually needs a tune-up. If you already replaced the plugs and wires, and the engine is still misfiring, check for spark and fuel. Could be a bad coil, or sticking injectors, etc etc.

P0171 is another common code, it is a Bank 1 lean code. That could be caused by a few different things. vacuum leak, bad MAF, low fuel pressure (faulty fuel pump or FPR), sticking injectors, etc.

P1443 is also common, it is an evaporative emissions code. There's a leak in the unpressurized fuel system somewheres. To fix it, you have to use a smoke machine and smoke the whole system to find the leak. Common issues are gas cap seal, vent valve, or purge valve. Rubber hoses sometimes rot out too that are in the system.

 

the p0301 is cylinder number 1 misfire detected .....p0302 is cylinder 2 misfire detected ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,p0303 is cylinder 3 misfire detected ,,,,,,,,,,,,, p0171 is system to lean (right cylinder bank)