My Ranger 3.5L would stall, idle rough. Had P1131 OBD code. Cleaned MAF. Works GREAT!

[Machaon]

My "Check Engine" light had been on for about two years, on my 4cyl 2000 Ford Ranger. It ran a little rough, but it had always run rough. For the past six months, or so, it got worse and started to stall out upon stopping.

I finally broke down and purchased an OBD diagnostic tool, checked the codes and found out that I had a P1131 and P1132, which indicated that the Oxygen Sensors were not happy. I looked these codes up on the Internet and found the suggestion to first clean the MAF (Mass Air Flow).

I opened the hood and found out that the MAF has special Torx "Security" screws. I couldn't find the Torx bits locally, so I purchased a set through the Internet. I also purchased a can of MAF cleaner.

I unplugged the electrical plug to the MAF and removed the two Torx "Security" screws and then looked at the two wires that I was supposed to clean, and saw that they were completely clean. Not a spot of dirt or anything on them. I was not happy. I was going to have to bring my Ranger in for servicing, where it would cost me a bundle, probably require several trips, long waits and frustration as they experimented with my truck and my wallet.

I sprayed the very clean wires anyway. What did I have to lose. I took it for a test drive. It seemed to operate better, so I sprayed the "clean" wires again a few days later.

Well..... guess what! The truck is riding like new! It is not stalling! The OBD codes are gone! My Ford Ranger and I are back on speaking terms!

I plan to clean the MAF wires periodically.