2005 Ranger/2.3, about 55k miles, mileage down from 24 to around 20, no particular performance problems. Paid serious bucks for big fuel system flush, no improvement whatsoever. Guru at auto hobby shop on local AFB suggested maybe dirty/failing mass air flow sensor.

(1) Does that make sense given my symptoms?
(2) If yes, where is it on the 2005 Ranger 2.3 engine? Is it one of those deals where I'm going to have to remove fifty other things to get to it?
(3) Any trick to removing and cleaning it, or are they cheap enough I should just replace it?

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LarryP

If it's running right don't mess with it

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

Its on the air filter box.



http://www.fordrangerforum.com/engin...-sensor-3.html

If you haven't did plugs and wires its time and if the check engine light is on you need to get the dct codes read.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

This^^^
A bad or failing MAF will cause noticeable idle issues(typically extremely low idle) not just a decrease in mpg.

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Gold 05 xlt 4.0 auto 4x4.

My build thread
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/proje...build-log.html

I went to that EasyAutoDiagnostics site and read through it, including the pictures, then headed for the garage to give it a go.

(1) When removed, my sensor does NOT look like the pictures, in that it is more or less a sealed "box" -- metal cover on one side, plastic on the other -- so you can't really see the sensor wires all that well. There is an opening on the "upstream" side of the air flow, though, so I sprayed some cleaner in there and hoped for the best.
(2) Tried to perform the wire tests, but discovered rather quickly that the wire sequence is NOT the same E-D-C-B-A-F sequence as shown in the pix on that website. I discovered after some trial and error that the 12v supply is in either the E or F position, depending on which side you're looking from, but did not want to experiment any further than that lest I blow something up by putting power to it when I shouldn't.

So for right now I'm going to fill up the tank and drive it for a few days, then see what the mileage does.

For those who replied with various thoughts, I HAVE replaced plugs and wires, including some very expensive iridium plugs, as part of that expensive-and-did-nothing-for-my-problem visit to my indy shop. And I haven't noticed the idle being any lower than normal, which is in the 850-900 rpm range, and no check-engine light. But cleaning the sensor was easy enough, so we'll see if that helps.

Oh yeah, and 17% loss in mileage doesn't count as "running right" in my book.

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LarryP

If you'll PM me with your email address, I'll send you the procedures I made for my 2005, 2.3 L. They cover cleaning the MAF, MAP, IAC and Throttle Body.

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2005 2.3L XL 5SOD 3.73 K&N
KYB Shocks Husky Toolbox
Alpine / Rockford Fosgate Sound

"Ask me about my AC Vent fix!"

It could have been a bad batch of gas. I would use it all up, and go to another gas station and leave it at that.

You can replace every sensor on the engine, but if you don't have any symptoms or codes then you are just throwing money away. It could just be in your head, or your odometer worm gear is broken.

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95 Ranger Xlt Supercab 2x4 Auto 4.0 128k
99 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 Auto 4.0 153k

Hey, give me at least a LITTLE bit of credit here. This has been going on for over a year, summer/winter, gradual decline from 24 mpg to 20 mpg, ~$350 worth of "fuel system flush" along the way including new plugs and plug wires. It was NOT one tank of bad gas, nor was it different seasonal gas formulations, nor was it any problem with the speedo/odo, as they agree with each other and with the mileage signs alongside the highway. Something is amiss, and that's why I'm posting, as I'm not sure what the possibilities are beyond what the fuel system flush and plugs should have taken care of.

And once again, a 17% drop in mileage after 50k of rock-solid 24mpg counts as a "symptom" in my book. If you have suggestions, let's hear them; if "it's in your head" is the best you have to offer, save your time and mine.

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LarryP

Well right there is the problem. Winter. Winter blend gas+ cold temps= lower MPG

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2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin

Do you know if they changed the fuel filter. I see your in Tucson so it definitely isn't because of the cold.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

No. As I said, this has gone on for over a year (and about 8000 miles) now, so the "symptom" is the same despite any seasonal differences in gas blend.

Oh, and for StateRanger, I changed the fuel filter myself, so that can be eliminated as a cause.

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LarryP

Malfunctioning o2 sensors will cause mileage to drop too but i'd send mike a message first and he can give you the info to clean the map sensor, iac, and throttle body.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.

Done that, waiting, thanks for input.

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LarryP

If you've sent me a PM, it hasn't arrived yet.


Take a look at the pics on my profile to see what bad shape my truck was in. Cleaning everything made a TON of difference in performance and milage.

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2005 2.3L XL 5SOD 3.73 K&N
KYB Shocks Husky Toolbox
Alpine / Rockford Fosgate Sound

"Ask me about my AC Vent fix!"

Mike I tried to send you a message but you dont get private messages. You have two visitor messages though.

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2014 F150 xl 3.7 6 speed auto.