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  #1  
Old 09-19-2012, 06:51 PM
Lou 1 Lou 1 is offline
89 Ranger 2.9L 4x4 auto
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 286
Default need some help with a funky check engine light

This question is about the 89 ranger in the signature below: A coolant line started to leak on my tranny--changed that--immediately after when taking it for a test drive, the engine light came on for the first time. Drove it back home and shut it off, turned it back on and no engine light. Took it out for another drive and after about 3 or 4 miles engine light on again. Stopped at a gas station and got gas, turned on the truck and no engine light....about 12 miles later engine light on.... Doesn't matter if its cold or hot-shut it off and turn it on and no engine light--drive it a bit and get the light on... No codes come up when scanned. Is there something that could've gotten loosened when changing the tranny coolant line that I could check? It started right after fixing that. If not, any other ideas what might make the engine light behave like this and not show codes????? Thanx
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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project
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  #2  
Old 09-19-2012, 07:54 PM
Psychopete Psychopete is offline
Psycho Pete
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,489
Default Re: need some help with a funky check engine light

if you had a CEL come on, you have stored memory codes. I would check them manually if you're using a scanner. Not sure what you mean by no codes, no output from self tests or 11s?
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  #3  
Old 09-19-2012, 08:07 PM
Lou 1 Lou 1 is offline
89 Ranger 2.9L 4x4 auto
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 286
Default Re: need some help with a funky check engine light

I took it to my brother's garage because I don't have a scanner and a mechanic hooked up the scanner and scanned it and said there were no codes--everything was fine. Yet when I left the garage there was no engine light on--by the time I got home the check engine light was on again. I can go out and start it now and no check engine light will be on--but however long down the road (its been between 3-14 miles) the light will come on and stay on till I shut the truck off. When I restart the truck no light on. This happens hot or cold--whenever the truck is shut off and restarted, no check engine light when restarted--but it comes on later down the road. I was wondering if something could've been knocked loose when the tranny line was replaced--it started immediately after that--or any sensors or anything in that area I could check to see if they're loose. Or if anyone knows something that would display itself in this manner that I could check because the scanner shows nothing wrong.
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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project
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  #4  
Old 09-20-2012, 04:28 AM
Psychopete Psychopete is offline
Psycho Pete
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,489
Default Re: need some help with a funky check engine light

pull them manually, I have never used a scanner for Ford OBD-I systems. you need to see if the self tests are functioning correctly, big difference if it's not going into self test mode or if you're getting 11s. The scanner might only be looking for KOEO. Need to check KOEO, CM, and KOER when the engine is warm (engine warm for KOER only, or else it will throw a temperature out of range code). They will blink out on your check engine light in the cab. If you're CEL came on at any point withing a certain amount of run cycles, it stores it in stored memory. Seems like the scanner is not picking up on those codes.
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  #5  
Old 09-20-2012, 05:06 AM
Lou 1 Lou 1 is offline
89 Ranger 2.9L 4x4 auto
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 286
Default Re: need some help with a funky check engine light

Thank you--I will give that a try, but I've never had luck with doing that--its like deciphering morse code. I did it once with my other younger brother and we both couldn't agree on what was being flashed and couldn't figure it out....maybe I can go try having it done at my brother's friend garage and see what they get? I was wondering if there could be something in the area that I'd be working on changing the transmission line that if I jarred it might cause an engine light to come on???--do you know anything in that area? Cause this happened immediately after changing a leaking tranny line. Thanx again
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89 4x4 Ranger ext cab, new rebuilt 2.9L 1998, leer cap, 6' bed, original tranny (auto), power windows/drs/seats, cruise control, 16 mpg LOL---sweet restoration project
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