How to Reset Trouble Codes on a Ford Ranger
by Dwight Malone
Clearing trouble codes on a Ford Ranger is a simple and easy task that anyone can do. Trouble codes are set off by the truck's computer when it detects a problem, which can be as simple as a loose gas cap, or as severe as an engine misfire. For cars that are model year 1996 or newer, the codes can be read by an OBD-2 scanner; for cars that are 1995 or older, an OBD-1 scanner is used. Once the code has been read and the problem fixed, the trouble codes need to be reset, which can be accomplished by disconnecting the truck's battery.
Step 1
Put the vehicle in park and turn off the ignition.
Step 2
Raise the hood and locate the car battery.
Step 3
Place the adjustable wrench on the bolt securing the negative battery cable to the negative terminal on the car's battery.
Step 4
Adjust the wrench until it fits snugly around the bolt.
Step 5
Loosen the bolt until you can pull up on the negative battery cable and remove it.
Step 6
Wait between 30 seconds and one minute.
Step 7
Reattach the negative battery cable to the terminal and tighten with the adjustable wrench.
Step 8
Start the vehicle to confirm the check engine light is no longer on.
Step 9
Reprogram all of your radio station presets, along with resetting the time, as these will also have been erased when the battery was disconnected.
References
Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
Warnings
- Never touch the positive and negative battery cables, as it will cause a spark and short out the truck's electrical system.
Writer Bio
Dwight Malone is a journalist who has worked for various Chicago-area newspapers, including the "Chicago Tribune" and "Naperville Sun." He has been a writer, editor and graphic designer since 2000. Malone studied journalism at Eastern Illinois University.
