hey guys, i have a 2001 ranger 3.0 liter 2wd flex fuel with 206k miles and its been getting really terrible milage (10-11)mpg. ive done a full tune up, cleaned the IAC, and MAF and still nothing. I called up the ford dealership and they said they have had 7000 or so complaints about rangers having bad gas milage. Suposevly the problem is the flex fuel sensor, they tell me it is under the driver seat on the frame rail.. well that is Bs me and my boss that has 20 years of mechanic experience cannot find the stinkin thing. Anybody ever dealt with this sensor before?

 

i have a 99 flex as well and have not gotten good mileage lately like i used to. did a quick search. it said drivers side of transmission cross member.

just read an older post...and it said its rare for this part to fail and that its 650 bucks to replace and its on the fuel rail

 

The compensator is on the inside of framerail under drivers seat. I replaced mine with bone-yard unit for $25. Taurus used the same part, under hood of taurus.

 

My parts catalog shows the illustration as being on the driver side frame rail. In front of the fuel filter. Catalog shows it fits 2000 and up of course with the flex fuel 3.0l. Also fits 96 and up taurus agian obviously with the 3.0l flex. I show it sells for $661.46. We used to sell some to taurus' but don't recall selling to many to rangers. Been here 21 years. But I've been here long enough to start forgetting somethings.

 

well, There is no sign of this sensor i have checked everything in the area it was said to be. Short of using x-ray vision i don't think there is one. Any ideas why my beautiful ranger only gets 11mpg :(. The tune up and everything is recent ive cleaned all the recommended sensors i seem to be lost on this one.

 

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Well if it is flex fuel u shuld have one. I was poking around shortly after i read ur post and found mine its tucked up in there kinda hidden. I can get pics if u think thats the culprit

 

I recall reading that the flex fuel engines always get worse fuel mileage than the non-flex.The flex fuel also uses higher flow rate fuel injectors.
IMHO the higher flow injectors , along with their age , may be getting worn and/or weak. They are not responding as fast when closing and thereby allowing more fuel through than fresh injectors would.
The PCM may not throw a rich code as it senses the fuel mixture is at it's limit , but not gone over it.

Question for those with more resources to check:
Can non-flex fuel injectors replace the flex injectors directly ? Or will the PCM notice the difference ?

 

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No it will misfire and hesitate. Cause problems. Make sure there flex fuel injectors. I think if i remember right there flex fuel injectors are green and the others are grey?

 

pictures would be great if you got em.

 

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Ya let me go take some.

 

Im pretty sure this is it..and if not...thats embarrassing. lol

 

there must not be one on my truck. Ive heard there is and isn't one. maybe mines different because its the first year of a new body style idk?

 

stupid question-but you sure its a flex fuel?

have you tried going to ford and asking if they know?

 

its got the sticker and all the flex fuel parts. Even the vin # shows it to be a flex fuel

 

haha sorry i had to ask-its possible its in a different location i suppose. i dont see how it would not have one though

 

Not one person in my little town knows where its at. I guess ill have to take it to a ford dealership and get reamed for them to show me. Then on top of the labor charge the part cost like $600 bucks.

 

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Ya i saw that. Thats a crazyy amount of money. Are you sure thats wats causing the problem?

 

i don't see what else it could be and the ford dealership said they have had thousands of rangers with terrible gas mileage complaints. The truck has no vacuum leaks, Complete tune up, Cleaned Iac, Maf, throttle body, even replaced both the iac and maf sensors still no difference.

 

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Another dumb question- have u checked tire pressure? Timing? Or injectors?

 

yep, we have a snap on scanner that shows you all the live data coming from the injectors etc and the tire pressure is good.

 

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4x4? Vacuum hubs can fail makin the front axle live. More resistance=more gas

 

How does it run? Dont quote me, but Im pretty sure all that sensor does is let the ecm know if 87 or e85 is coming down the pipeline. If your running like **** w/ crazy knocking, you may be on the right track. Otherwise, the dealer may still be a good idea, but parts may be cheaper than you think.

 

Kyle,

With 206K on the truck have you done a cylinder compression test?

As for the sensor, once you locate it, check the connections both at the sensor and under the drivers seat were the chassis wiring comes into the cab for corroded terminals.

Another thing you could try is replacing the fuel filter and then running a fuel additive designed to clean the system and injectors through a couple of tank fill ups. I’d double the dose during the first fill up. Try tapping the flex sensor with the end of a plastic screwdriver handle a couple times throughout this event.

Another option is to purchase a flex fuel sensor replicator like the one from Point A Engineering for around $150.00 dollars Click Link Point A Engineering Note, I don't know anything about this company nor endorse their products.

If you’re familiar with electronics and want to know a little more about the operation of this sensor, there is a discussion on it at this link flex-fuel-sensor-technical-info

 

just installed a new set of heads 1k miles ago and haven't checked the compression. I have ran sea foam through the gas several times, oil, intake and ran some injector cleaner through it. I'll try what you suggested if i can ever find the damn thing.

 

You will never find a flex fuel sensor on your truck. 2001 and later FFV Rangers do not have it. Consider yourself fortunate.