New fan, here. 65 year old lady. Love yr stuff, guy. I have a 2003 Ford Ranger 2.3 ltr, 2 wheel drive, automatic, plain jane. Been maintaining it real good. Got 183,000 on it. Except for replacing a teansmission, and rear end, this has been a great truck. Been running great, until the heat stopped working. Gauge showed it was warming up, but not overheating. Took it to a shop to have a radiator,and heater core flush. Nightmare! First was told it was plugged up after flush, then thermostat was stuck , then needed a radiator. Was feeling a liitle like something rotten in Denmark. I sat there from 10 am to 5pm, closing time. They bring it out, and the heater is working, and they told me it was idling rough. I didnt bring it in that way! They told me a sensor, i looked up AIV(?), Cuz now its idling so hard it literally shakes, then when i got home and put it in park, it died. Now my inside overhead light stays on for 1 second, my check engine light is on, and if i took my foot off the gas, it suddenly dropped, but idled high. So i ran it the next day. It was reving high for a minute, then dropped low,and idled very rough like it was gonna die. The tac didn't move though. Called mechanic, said to bring it back. It does sound like a vacumn leak or sensor, but it didnt run like this when i brought it in, and they know it. Told me to bring it back in, and they will inspect it. I dont trust them to run up another big bill. My poor truck just needed heat! Any suggestions, or help? Thanks, i just dont have rhe money for another vehical at this time. I need it to run a little longer.
Well you never know what people are going to do to a vehicle and these days are many crappy mechanics out there. I don't know that particular shop, but it sounds like they're not very well organized. Perhaps they have shotty mechanics. It's very hard to get good mechanics these days. I would just give him the stab to say hey didn't run this way. I want to fix free if they can fix it great. If not, take your losses and go somewhere else.
Thanks, Scottie.
Before going back to that mechanic, go by a major auto parts store and get a free scan to see what's going on with the engine and what needs to be done that they screwed up. Knowledge is power.
Thanx. Got a FIXD sensor. Told me what i needed to know. They knew. So hard to find an honest mechanic
Ok, i ordered a FIXD in the mail. Read they werent good after i ordered, but i was desperate. Anyway, it worked really well. Says Im misfiring on all 6 plugs . I just put in lifetime plugs, wires, and coil in 2 years ago. Bank 1, and 2 sensor running lean. Remember, i just had this scanned 6 weeks ago. Nothing. This only happened after they flushed radiator,then thermostat, then said radiator. Thing is i do have heat, but i bet they either pluged up my AIC, or messed up sensors, or missed a vacum leak. The idle is really rough. Can i run around local, until i can afford to get it fixed?. I watched your video on how to clean my AIC, and check the sensors, but i have neither tools or garage. I live north if Twin Cities! Just so upset cuz it was just supposed to be a simple flush. Thanks.
It sounds like a major vacuum leak somewhere but whoever did the work really screwed it up. Hope you get it sorted out. I got family in Blaine and White Bear Lake. Good luck.
Go through there to see my Dr.
Can i run it local like this?
Good news. Cleared codes, and used my FIXD sensor while running down the road. Ran like a dream. Pulled 2 codes, P0147, P0171, too lean bank 1, and 2. The FIXD cleared my check engine light, too. Handy little gadget for $20. Feeling better now i know. My 2003 Ranger lives to ride another day. Hey Scottie, used to live down by you in a place called Big Sandy, Tn. on Kentucky Lake. Best fishing ever!!!