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  #1  
Old 10-06-2010, 11:45 PM
CNLohr CNLohr is offline
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Default '89 Knocking (Rain and maybe EGR related)

I love my '89 ranger (or at least loved until recently). It's a 2.3L 4 cylinder 5-speed Manual.

My truck's been running for a long time, but in the last two years, it started knocking heavily after I went to a car wash, when I turned it on even from cold. I checked the codes and it said it was the EGR Valve Position sensor. I figured that couldn't be it since I didn't think it was active until the car got warm.

2) Replaced the EVP Sensor and it ran like a charm.
3) Similar problem happened 5-6 months later, same solution.
4) Similar problem happened 3-4 months later, same solution.
5) Rain-related problem happened 1-2 months later more heavy knocking, same solution.
6) Driving in the rain, it happened with heavy knocking and on my way home, my master cylinder acted up (basically just didn't boost brakes).

I checked my codes, as always, 34 - EVP Sensor Above Threshold came on.

I also noticed water was leaking in near my ECU. I still can't figure out where it's leaking from (But that's probably unrelated).

I got sick of it and replaced my whole EGR Valve and Sensor. The pipe from the exhaust to the EGR Valve had heavy corrosion, but was still fully in tact, so I kept it.

When I powered the truck back on, it behaved poorly. The EVP sensor and new EGR Valve didn't fix it. I checked the codes. But now, a plethora of codes came up.

21 - Engine Coolant Out of Range
22 - BP/MAP Sensor out of range <I don't even know what this is!
42 - HO2S Sensor System Rich Right Side
34 - EVP Sensor above threshold <It's a brand new sensor

I'm inclined to believe the rich bit since I was getting sick just sitting in the vehicle while the test was running.

For the heck of it, I did cylinder timing. It mentioned something was wrong and was corrected.

Still rough. Redid test.

Same codes, only now:
18 - SPOUT (Spark Plug Output Open Circuit)
and
13 - Low RPM Check
came up in addition to the others.

I'm starting to think there are two unrelated problems going on here.

1) Does anyone have any idea why my EVP Sensor would dramatically go out when I drive in heavy rain and cause knocking?

2) Why would replacing the EGR Valve assembly cause everything to go wrong.

3) The Haynes book suggested it might be vacuum related, does that sound right?

I'm totally clueless here. Can anyone provide any clues that may be able to help me?

Last edited by CNLohr; 10-06-2010 at 11:47 PM.
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  #2  
Old 10-07-2010, 06:37 PM
CNLohr CNLohr is offline
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Default Re: '89 Knocking (Rain and maybe EGR related)

I think I may have solved most of my problem.

Today, I decided to deal with the vacuum. Sure enough there was a broken hose hooked up to the long defunct air conditioning, so I plugged it up. That didn't help the problem overall, though.

Out of frustration, I unplugged the EGR vacuum hose and the vehicle started purring instantly. All of the other ECU Error Codes (minus the one explicitly created by unplugging the EGR) went away. I am thinking it's the EGR Control Solenoid. So, I'm going to try mail ordering that.

Unusually, I found water in the end of the vacuum hose hooked up to the relay.

I'll check for any suggestions y'all might have and post once I figure out what's going on. At least my post can stand to help those who have a similar problem in the future.
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Old 10-07-2010, 08:10 PM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: '89 Knocking (Rain and maybe EGR related)

I'm surprised the EGR didn't throw a CEL code...
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  #4  
Old 10-17-2010, 11:26 AM
CNLohr CNLohr is offline
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Default Re: '89 Knocking (Rain and maybe EGR related)

Turns out the primary problem was the egr control solenoid. There were still issues, but they were primarily caused by a coolant sensor. Once I recomputed the timing, everything calmed down. It's running better now than when I got it =D.
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