98 Ford Ranger With Code P0153 Questions

I'm not a do-it-yourselfer but I wanted to ask some advise on what service to ask for at my garage. My truck has been idling just a little rough and I've just gone over 66,000 miles. It is a '98 V6 3.0 liter automatic model. When the check engine light came on yesterday I took it to Autozone (got that tip from some other posting in the forums--thanks!!) P0153 was the only code that came up. So is this something I should take to the garage to have checked? Is there any steps a non-DIYer can do without hurting myself? Thanks.

HI ¡
Start by checking the wires from the oxygen sensor; check that they are in good condition and no broken. Then check all your exhaust sytem (starting in the exhaust maniffold and ending in the pipes) for possible leak. After you checked these, please post back to tell us what you had found ¡¡¡¡

The code is saying that the Oxygen Sensor in the exhaust manifold on the side of the engine that cylinder 2 is located is responding too slow.

As fuel injection center says, check the wiring and connections to it as well as for any exhaust leaks.

Given that your Ranger is a '98, chances are that you'll need to replace the O2 Sensor (if you can't remember ever replacing it).

Good luck and keep us posted.

If you're not a do it yourselfer then don't check anything! Take your truck to a good repair facility and tell them the code # and descritpion, don't clear the codes and have a proper diagnostic and repair done!

I appreciate all three of the posts received. I just took my truck in today, hence the delay in replying. The tech found that the thermostat was faulty (an $8 part). I had noticed that the engine temperature had been low, but it didn't register that that was a bad thing. I had told the tech about the code, and the general feeling was that the faulty thermostat also could have caused more fuel to be consumed and that triggered the code.

The engine seems to be idling a bit better which is a good thing. I could have tried lots of things and might never have considered the thermostat.

Thanks, Paula

Isn't it nice when you only get part of the story

Wow thanks Payton, I have a 98 Mazda b4000,same as a ranger.I have the p0153 code as well .I noticed the heat gauge was lower than normal as well but didn't think any thing of it. I will change my thermostat tonight.My temp.switch for my heater doesn't work ,allways blows hot.If you turn the switch to off, the valve goes to the cold pos.but any where else it stays hot. I wounder if this is conected to the motor not geting up to temp?

Well happy to report back that a new thermostat seems to have fixed the p0153 code on my Mazda.Thanks Payton for your post about the thermostat!