Hello., I'm having a check engine problem with my 2009 Ranger 4.0 . The check engine light cycled on and off over a few weeks. I brought in in to my local garage for an inspection with the light on. Mechanic told me it was a emissions error but couldn't see anything obviously wrong. He reset the check engine light and told me to drive it for awhile and stop back. I stopped back and he put the reader on it and said it was not ready yet to pass inspection. I've since drive the truck over 150 miles - check engine light has not come back on - but my mechanic says it's still not ready to pass inspection. He said it appears to be trying to clear the codes but having an issue and to keep driving. Truck drives great. Any thioughts? I need to pass inspection. I'm reluctant to take it to the local Ford dealer as I've not had good experiences with them in the past. Thanks for your help.

 

Ops - it's a 2001, 58K mi. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

What was the Code number?

Full list here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...II_codes.shtml

As you can see there are A LOT of possible codes, so need to be specific when talking about CEL(check engine light) and codes

The shop probably did a RESET and not just Clear the code, so you will now have no CEL but will have P1000 code which means the computer needs to test each emissions system to see if its working

Read here: Ford Motor Company Driving Cycle

If an emissions test is done a few times and still doesn't pass then the CEL will come back on with a code or codes for the system that didn't pass
This takes a few drive cycles
A "drive cycle" is one warm up(above 180degF), and one cool down(below120degF), so driving 150miles on one trip is just 1 drive cycle, or running errands around town with no Cool Down between restarts is 1 drive cycle

Except for the EGR system emissions codes usually don't effect operation of the vehicle, they are for air quality around the vehicle