My Dad has a '96 Ranger (5 speed, 2.3 liter, 2wd), which he drives a couple times a year. He let the battery die, then went in for a smog test, and he failed because the computer hadn't finished its testing cycle. Any idea how long that is?

He's driven it to the smog place, then on 2 ~20 mile trips, and he's been denied (twice). On my jeep, I'm pretty sure that would be enough time for the computer to run all its test, and call it good, but I've been unable to find the information for fords.

He swears he's too busy to drive this thing around town for no reason (he drives his work vehicle primarily because it has the tools he needs), so he swears the next thing he's going to do is put it on blocks, and put it in third with a brick on the pedal :laughing: I told him to video tape if he does :)

Thanks! :)

call the dealership, they should be able to tell you the drive cycle its going to need to get the OBD readiness codes to reset.

I'm curious to find out what code they are getting? I get p1000, which means the car hasn't been driven enought to set a code, but it never goes away becuase it's stored. Even if another code comes up, p1000 is still stored and first on the list.

Usually it takes several driving cycles, not a distance to set certain codes. Tell him to drive around the block 2 or 3 times, park it for a minute (shut it off), then do it again a couple times. Some codes come up right away. O2 codes won't show up for about 3 driving cycles, same with MAF.

Check with the dealer or try a different smog place. IF they are seeing p1000 it will never go away.