N
Neilster
Guest
I thought I'd share this with who ever might be interested down the road. The Check Engine light recently came on solid on my wife's 1998 Ranger (80K miles). Checking the manual, it suggested one of three things. Loose gas cap, poor quality fuel and/or water in the fuel. We put in some gas line antifreeze and some high test gas but even after several days the light stayed on solid. I did notice that it had a tendency to ping or knock under load as well.
So, this morning I decided to change the spark plugs and change the oil. I figured that with 80K on it, probably the plugs were original and it would be a cheap fix and a good maintenance move regardless. The plugs were in bad shape. Gap was waaaay off and there were some nasty deposits as well. I replaced them with Champion Copper Tops and gapped them to spec., then took it for a run.
It ran great, but the Check Engine light remained on. My next thought, how do you reset the computer. Easy, disconnect the battery, which I did. The posts needed cleaning away. So, I left it disconnected for a while and then reconnected it and took it for a spin. I drove it around town for 10 minutes then onto the express way for a 15 minute run.
Problem solved. No more Check Engine light and no more pinging. Heather's a happy camper...
So, this morning I decided to change the spark plugs and change the oil. I figured that with 80K on it, probably the plugs were original and it would be a cheap fix and a good maintenance move regardless. The plugs were in bad shape. Gap was waaaay off and there were some nasty deposits as well. I replaced them with Champion Copper Tops and gapped them to spec., then took it for a run.
It ran great, but the Check Engine light remained on. My next thought, how do you reset the computer. Easy, disconnect the battery, which I did. The posts needed cleaning away. So, I left it disconnected for a while and then reconnected it and took it for a spin. I drove it around town for 10 minutes then onto the express way for a 15 minute run.
Problem solved. No more Check Engine light and no more pinging. Heather's a happy camper...