P1443 code, confusion inside
 

1997 Regular Cab 2.3L Automatic
Recently bought it. Code popped on couple days later.

I know many things can cause the EVAP P1443 code. I searched quite a bit on here and through Google. I've found many possible causes.

I've inspected the charcoal canister and attached hoses. I don't see any obvious problems, but it does look like the previous owner did some troubleshooting and hose replacing of his own. The actual canister looks original, but the hoses are newer looking, cut longer and kinda routed wherever. I guess I'm just confused on which part is which...and if the way mine is currently setup is even correct. I drew up a real quick drawing of how the hoses are ran in my truck below. It took 2 minutes, so no laughing.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1334176509
The black lines are obviously the vacuum lines. They come out of a small connection through the intake, run through an electrical device of some kind with a 4-wire connector running to it, runs through another electrical device of some kind with a 2-wire connector, then into the canister. From the canister, it just runs down out of the engine bay and connects to a steel line that runs under the truck and I assume to the gas tank. What are those electrical devices? Anyway I can troubleshoot them?

Basically I'm just looking to troubleshoot my problem, without buying $125+ in parts (if possible). Some people have said part# F57Z-9C987-AB (Canister Purge Solenoid/Flow Sensor) fixes their problem, but it's ~$150 everywhere I look online.

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https://www.ranger-forums.com/sohc-2-3l-2-5l-lima-engines-135/evap-emission-ctrl-system-ctrl-valve-132238/

my flow sensor was like $50 at napa, IIRC

i can also get pictures of mine if your concerned about how yours is hooked up. for instnace, on your canister there are two holes A and B, respectably. one should be capped, one open. (i forget which is which though) and the flow sensor has an arrow on it. make sure it is facing the right way. clean all your electrical connections too.

2-wire = Canister Purge Solenoid
3-wire = Purge Flow Sensor

Most common causes for a P1443 are leaking vac lines and/or a bad Purge Flow Sensor.

I bought a PFS for a 97 Escort from www.RockAuto.com for under $20. This is the same part used in the 95~97 Rangers. Heads up: some online parts catalogs erroneously call the CP416 a "purge solenoid" or "purge valve" but it is actually the Purge Flow Sensor.

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS Part # CP416. RockAuto

http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...75-0&width=450

the purge valve is the cheaper of the 2. if you need to replace that first. some folks have had success in cleaning it with carb cleaner.
if no dice then replace the solenoid (long cylinder shaped part).
check your gas cap for seal as well.

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't respond for awhile because I wanted to try a few things, clear the code and see if it would return a couple times. It did. I cleaned all the electrical connection with spray de-greaser and I tied zip ties around each connection of a vacuum line (just for insurance I guess). Cleared the code and it stayed off for a couple days, but then came back.

I was hoping I could do a little probing with a multimeter to help troubleshoot, rather than just throwing parts at it. So if anyone knows how I can verify if my purge flow sensor is operating correctly, that would be great.

If you could get me a picture, that would be awesome. My canister does have two connections, but neither is capped. I'd like to verify whoever messed with this setup before me didn't rearrange things out of order or something like that.

your vaccum lines aren't dry rotted? that was part of my problem. i don't know about how to test it with a meter , but you can remove it and shake it and if you hear the vavle rattle around, at least you know it's not stuck. also, on mine there is an arrow, make sure it's pointing with air-flow. i'll get pics as soon as i can, i don't have my truck today

No, the lines look good. And a couple of them have already been replaced. I don't recall hearing any rattling while I was cleaning. They should rattle?

And probably a stupid question.... but which way does the air flow?

yeah, if you hold it up to your ear and hear rattling when you shake it, the little check vavle is moving freely.

i believe the arrow on the sensor should be pointing towards the firewall, i wish i had my truck so i could get you a definate answer.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...ine=1334790897
here's my charcoal canister. you'll see that b (circled in red) is capped and a is open. it says 'b' and 'a' next to the inlets. my purge vavle is too old and coroded to see the arrow and which way it points, sorry

Purge flow is definitely rearward from the canister to engine manifold vacuum.

on mine both canister vents are open to the air...

The canister originally had the domed protective covers over both ports. Even with the covers in place, the ports are open to atmosphere.

so the arrow should be pointing to the firewall, correct?

i didn't realize there was supposed to be two caps on the canister.

If there is an arrow indicating flow, it should go in the direction of the firewall. I don't remember seeing an arrow on the Purge Flow Sensor but I could have missed it.

PROBLEM SOLVED!

Just to update and close out this thread, in case anyone digs this up in the future. My sensor did not have an arrow on it. The diagrams posted here show it facing one way, but the diagram under my hood on a sticker (by the hood latch) show it facing the other way. So I decided to play with it a little. I removed the hoses and soaked the inside of the sensor with carb cleaner (it was nasty). Reinstalled according to the sticker under hood. Drove it for about two weeks without the Check Engine Light turning off. Removed the hoses and reinstalled according to the diagrams on here. Drove for about two more weeks. No change. So I decided to order the sensor that rwenzing linked to. It's identical to the one in my Ranger.
It was shipped quickly. Eventually took the two seconds to throw it in. After a couple days of driving, the Check Engine Light turned off. It's been at least a week since then and it hasn't returned yet. It's fixed. I know all you guys said it was the purge solenoid long ago. But I could tell the previous owner had screwed with/replaced some things in that line already. Plus it was filthy and I thought maybe cleaning it out might cure it. No reason to throw 20 bucks away if I don't need to.

Rock on guys and thanks for the help!:biggthump

another satisfied p1443 customer.

P1443: Just knowledge gleened, probably well known info, as I work on 3d generation rangers,[93-97]
When you get this code, the first thing to check is the fuel filler tube. Every truck I've worked on has had cracked and leaking filler tubes. I always do new fuel pump and filler tube first thing.

mine had a leaky filler tube but that did not throw the 1443 code. ended up replacing the purge valve + solenoid. replacing the solenoid got rid of the code
+ CEL. replaced the filler tube later on... as well as rusted to heck gas tank straps...:eek: