1998 Ranger 2.5 4 cylinder. 5 speed manual single cab.
I purchased this truck 3 months ago. 130k. It hasn't been nothing but a pain in my neck. Already replaced radiator, fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, IAC, throttle position sensor, mass airflow sensor. Changed oil and transmission fluid. Greased front end. New tires and wheels. New brake pads. Thought I was good for awhile.

Now I'm getting this P0401 code. Checked the egr valve. It's not there. Previous owner deleted it im assuming. Found the EGR valve pressure sensor and it was corroded. Figured I'd change it out. Went and picked one up. Went to change it and found out the 2 hoses on it arent even connected. Ill attach pictures.

What started all this was the code P0401 being thrown then a rough re start after it's been running for awhile and you turn it off. Like going into the store ect.

Put that new valve pressure sensor on and it seems to be running okay now. Still have that code pending on my cheap code reader.

Any ideas why i could be getting that code with no egr valve? Maybe they didn't delete it out of the computer right?

Any suggestions on code readers i can buy that I could reset the computer with to make sure the egr is deleted? Trying to avoid a mechanic trip. It would take him a while to figure out this mess as well.

Any advice would be appreciated. Fixing to sit on the porch and make a stiff drink and walk away from this truck for tonight.

 

This code has been the devil for me over the past few months. The problem i stated above was a vacumn line that went to the EGR that wasn't capped off properly.

However I started getting a pinging noise under load in 4th and 5th gear. Couldn't get over 60mph. Took it to a very well known mechanic. He diagnosed it as the EGR system needed to be put back in it. That's what was causing the pinging. I was still driving it while trying to find the parts.

I drove it for a couple months. Would drive fine until 60mph then a ping ping ping when accelerating. Id just ease off and it'd go away.

Started hearing a ticking that stayed with the RPMs. If I sped up, the tick would speed up. I'm thinking its a lifter. Freaking out a little.

Spark plug #4 code gets thrown. I change the spark plugs. #4 wasn't even tightened down. It was the culprit of all my problems. Motor runs smooth as a new one now. Currently doing 80 down the highway.

Replace the spark plugs boys