Hello all,

I bought a 2006 Ranger 3.0 V6 a couple of months ago to replace my 2001 V6 Ranger. Within a week, I had the check engine light come on. I took the truck back to the dealer, and supposedly the problem was with the MAF sensor, and Ford replaced it. A couple of weeks after that I bought a K&N aircharger kit for my truck, had it installed and what do you know the check engine light comes on! I took the truck back down to the dealer. As soon as the serviceman popped the hood and saw the K&N, he already had his mind made up. They made me wait 4 hours to tell me that the oil from the filter contaminated the sensor. I knew it was BSbecause (correct me if I'm wrong) the MAF sensor is noting more than a thermistor that measures the temp of the incoming air and gives out a resistance reading that is calculated into the fuel/air mixture. I took my truck home, took out the MAF sensor and it was spot free; not a spec of dust was on it since it was replaced with the first visit. Well, I ran a code reader on the truck myself, and the ECU was storing codes 171 & 174. Both O2 sensors were reading a lean mixture. I would erase the codes, and within the same day the light would come back on. I even went as far as contacting K&N cust. service, and this is the response I received:

We are sorry to hear about the problems you’re experiencing with your vehicle. It is not normal for the check engine light to come on after installing one of our filters. When it does come on, it can be for a variety of different reasons.

You indicated the check engine light was set because of a “lean” condition. Some possible causes of a lean condition are an air leak in the air intake system, dirty/restricted air filter, dirty/restricted fuel filter, a vacuum leak in a vacuum hose, or a mass airflow sensor that is not reading properly. If there are no leaks (which is what you said) and the light comes back on after resetting (which you said it did), it is unlikely the light has anything to do with the K&N filter.

I would recommend taking the truck back to the dealer, let them know what you have done so far and if they still believe the system is the cause, please contact K&N Customer Support at 1(800)858-3333 and notify a Customer Support representative. They will gather the information you provide about the situation and forward it to a team of Dealer Relations specialists who will work with the repair shop to clear up the issue. K&N stands by its products and consumers with our Million Mile Warranty and our Consumer Protection Pledge. We are committed to keep you as a satisfied K&N customer.


I had a K&N kit on my 2001 Ranger as well, and never had this problem. I know this is a long post, but I wanted to share my story to see if any of you have experienced anything similar. I honestly feel that my OBD codes are being generated by a malfunction in my truck, and not the K&N filter like the dealer wants me to believe. I'm sure there are some of you out there that are baised either for or against replacing the OEM intake, but I'm just asking if any of you have had similar problems with what I am experiencing and could offer any suggestions.

Thanks for reading,
-metalgear138

 

Have you tried running it with a PLAIN-JANE filter just to eliminate the K&N filter? Starting in about 2000, Ford started to incorperate the MAF and IAT into one unit. TheMAF now containes both the Mass Air Flow sensor and the Intake Air Temperature sensor. Both interact with each other. Do you know for a fact that the MAF unit was replaced? Have they checked the wiring for the MAF and IAT (chaffing and such)? Bad intake gaskets?A bad IAT sensor in the MAF telling the computer that the intake air is hotter than what it actually is? Since hotter air is less dense, the computer will then inject less fuel causing a LEAN condition. If the vehicle is still under warranty, the burden of proof still falls on Ford to prove otherwise. I've had a DROP-IN K&N filter in my 04 Freestar since it had about 3,000 miles on it. I'm at 45-46,000 miles with no issues.

 

You are correct, the IAT is incorporated. I was running the OEM intake and paper filter when I had the check engine light come on about a week after I took the truckhome. The Ford dealer said that the MAF was the cause of the malfunction and it was replaced. That's why I thought it was weird when I took the truck back after I installed the K&N kit, and saw for myself that the MAF sensor was shiny and new when the technician was telling me it was contaminated. They wanted to charge me $500 to replace it! My 2001 Ranger had a completely different intake system than the 2006 does. For 2006, they did away with the housing for the MAF sensor; when I had the K&N kit for my 2001, I used the OEM MAF sensor and housing. I will have to check the wiring harness for any chaffing. The thing about the K&N kit for the2006 Ranger is it moved the MAF sensor from the stock location which was right after the filter box, closer upstream to the throttle body. I was thinking about replacing the MAF sensor all together, but if there's a simple fix, I will try that first.

 

hi i have a 06 ranger and once i installed a KnN intake my truck is not runing well it doest idle well it sometime stalls im not sure whats the problem i installed twice properly im not sure if its my maf plz help!