Check Engine light

[Blu Bronco]

MY "check engine light" has been on for weeks.  I had an analyzer on it and it says "left bank lean/right bank lean".  The guy with the analyzer said that all my engine stats are right on.  What the...tie rod...is going on?  Oh yea, my truck is a 1996 LT 302 with 5 sped.

Blu Bronco

 

[miesk5]

yo BLU,

WELCOME!

Assuming Codes P0171 and P0174

pin-point test;

check the pcv system elbow and make sure it is not broken or cracked, you can spray carb cleaner and listen for change or better

Read more: http://www.justanswer.com/ford/4gwy5-ford-f150-right-left-bank-running-lean.html#ixzz3aDf3rIzb

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DTC P0171 & P0174 Lean Troubleshooting; "...These codes commonly occur on many Ford vehicles, and are set when the powertrain control module (PCM) sees the air/fuel mixture is running too lean (too much air, not enough fuel). Unmetered air can enter the engine through a vacuum leak, a dirty airflow sensor (MAF) that is not reading airflow accurately, an EGR valve is not closing (DPFE) and is leaking exhaust into the intake manifold, an EGR valve that is allowing too much flow (because the EGR differential pressure sensor that monitors EGR flow is faulty and is under-reporting EGR flow). If the problem is not enough fuel, the underling cause may be a weak fuel pump, restricted fuel filter, leaky fuel pressure regulator or dirty fuel injectors..."

Source: by Larry C at AA1Car.com

http://www.aa1car.com/library/ford_lean_codes.htm

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DTC P0174; "...Basically this means that an oxygen sensor in bank 2 detected a lean condition (too much oxygen in the exhaust). On V6/V8/V10 engines, Bank 2 is generally the side of the engine that doesn't have cylinder #1 (driver's side); The MAF (Mass Air Flow) Sensor is dirty or faulty. Note: The use of "oiled" air filters can cause the MAF to become dirty if the filter is over-oiled. There could be a vacuum leak downstream of the MAF sensor..." READ MORE

Source: by obd-codes.com http://www.obd-codes.com/p0174

 

[Rons beast]

Hey Blu,

These things can make your hair fall out, but with some patience they usually can be figured out.

I assume you checked for vacuum leaks, and such that would cause a lean condition.

Is the truck running well?

First thing is to clear all codes. It is important to start with a clean slate.  Then drive your Bronc as normal.

Did the CEL come back on immediately? If is there is a hard code from something being totally out of parameter.

Do you need to drive some for the code to come back?  A few miles?  A week?  If that is the case there is something that is giving the ECM reading that are sometimes out of parameter, and after so many instances the CEL is turned on.

A "hard code" is easier to trace...it is always there.  The intermittent problems. or codes that come from "building of events" are a bit more difficult.

These things usually come from a sensor or regulating device that is wearing out.  First things that comes to mind are MAF sensor and O2s.

That doesn't mean to run out and buy new parts to replace them. 

Report back on the first questions I posted and then, with some help from those here that have great resources, we can guide you better.

Good Luck  

(I see Al is on that already!)