Hi all! I'm brand new to the forum. I come by from time to time to check on different topics. I recently bought a 98 ranger. It's got 100k miles. I went to change the oxygen sensor because I had a code going on and realized there were 2 very small hoses that weren't connected. I'm having trouble figuring out what they are for? They both have that blue tape over them. Thanks for any advice guys.

 

Welcome to the forum, well first post on the forum

The Grey vacuum hose goes to the Heater hose by-pass valve, the one with the 4 heater hoses

The black one "might be" the vacuum source for the Vacuum Reservoir, this controls the VENTS in the cab
Do your vent controls work?
Do you have Defrost, Panel and Floor air direction?

If you have a 4x4 then it could also be for the Pulse Vacuum Hubs(PVH) on front wheels(1998-2000), its solenoid would be on the frame rail just below that area
Many people switch PVH to Manual Hubs, so disconnect the vacuum hose as its no longer needed

 

Thank you for replying. Sometimes the vents work and sometimes they cut off while they are working. With both the a.c and the heater going. Its random? How important is it that I replace them right away? Should I continue driving it? Thanks again got your time

 

That's for Blower/fan motor, nothing to do with the vents, i.e. Vent is the DIRECTION the air comes out, defrost vent, Panel Vent, Floor Vent

If your fan shuts off its usually the Blower Motor Resistor block

More of a comfort thing, fine to drive it

 

Right on thank you very much for the advice 🤙🏼