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Ford Ranger Lighting and Electrical Problems

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Comments

  • kristijkristij Member Posts: 4
    We have the same problem--where are the switches?? Thanks for any help.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    Well, the previous guy had a 1994, I think. Up until about 1995 or 96 the switches were the 'old' kind, just push switches on the front inside edge of the door.

    In later years, the switches moved inside the door, on the outside door handle pull mechanism. To completely get to these switches, the inside door panel must be pulled off. Sometimes relief can be gotten by liberally spraying WD-40 or electrical cleaner through the outside door handle 'slots'.

    These inside switches seem to give more grief than the older type. For mid/late 90's Rangers, they have common complaints about inside lite not going off, door open chimes dinging, etc, etc, etc.
  • chemancheman Member Posts: 1
    i have a 1998 4x4 ranger 3.0, there is a power distribution box driver's side by the fire wall, there is a relay for the 4x4 in this box they say but i can't find any diagram's that indicate which the # on the relay is any idea's ?
  • mmhamermmhamer Member Posts: 2
  • mmhamermmhamer Member Posts: 2
    I just bought a 2006 Ranger Sport 4wd. Most of the buttons on the radio do not work. It's the AM/FM 6CD changer + MP3
    How do you reboot a radio?
    Strange...
  • shady5shady5 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, all my lights work but when I back up both reverse lights don't come on. is this on a separate fuse ? could both bulbs be gone ?
    thanks for any info
  • NinjaJNinjaJ Member Posts: 1
    2000 Ford Ranger XLT Supercab-Manual
    The emergency brake like won't go off. You can pop the break as much as you want, and it will not turn off. Any ideas? It's been like this for a long while.
    Thank you
  • higgsfamily5higgsfamily5 Member Posts: 1
    Howdy folks. I recently purchased a 97 Ranger XLT with the 2.3 in it. The guy who had it before me hit a deer on the left hand front quarter panel. It didn't do much damage, just cracked the grill, pushed the bumper back an inch or so, and cracked the turn signal lens. Here's my issue. When you turn on the left turn signal, both the back right and left turn signals blink AND the brake lights blink. When you press on the brake pedal, both back turn signals and brake lights stop blinking and just stay. However, when you turn then right turn signal on, both the front and back turn signals work just fine. This is the weirdest thing I have ever seen and it has me baffled. Any thoughts on what might be causing this? Oh yeah, the dome lamp doesn't work either. The map lights work fine, but the dome light itself won't come on when either of the doors are open, and the bulb is fine.
  • rickcalifrickcalif Member Posts: 1
    hi All-

    I'd like to disable the "Ross" back-up module/sounder unit.

    Unit is very loud when in reverse..

    I tried disconnecting a few harness pieces near the rear license plate- but no luck
    yet. I am an electronics tech by trade.. but haven't spent much time investigating this...

    Any ideas would be helpful.

    Thanx, rick in n.calif
  • kwekwe Member Posts: 3
    Hi
    I just bought a 2000 Ranger 4x4 with the 4 doors (2 small doors) and if I hit a bump, the dome light and chime comes on. I have to slam the driver's door to get it off but it comes back on again if I hit even a small bump. I read your note that the dome light door switch is on or near the outside door handles inside the door panels and that perhaps by spraying WD 40 into the door slots it might free up the light switch. Am I understanding this correctly? Should I just pull off the door panels and if so, can the switch be fixed or adjusted? The person I bought it from just took out the dome light bulb. thanks
    Karl
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    PUlling off the door panels will enable you to actually 'get to' the switch.

    I would think it (the switch) would not be adjustable. I've never worked with the 'small doors', but I would think there would be some adjustments or something to tighten up that would help with this problem.

    The switches themselves cause a lot of problems, this is reported on forums all the time. So, lubing or replacement of the switches might be enough to solve your problem. But if the doors are worn, it might still happen. Don't the doors lock into some kind of catch or catches at the top and/or bottom of the doors. The latch here might have some adjustment on it, to keep the doors tighter.

    If the doors hinges are worn, large or small, you might have to replace these. I replaced a hinge on my 1994, the lower one, because it squeaked/popped and would not hold the door in the open position. It wasn't too tough, but the top hinge looked like you would have to take the instrument panel out to get to the bolts.....
  • sickleavesickleave Member Posts: 1
    2000 ranger electric door locks only work when they want to
    Same problem from drivers switch on door or push button on remote alarm.
    The passenger door is the one haveing problems.
    Key on drivers door is almost impossible and passenger key works but you some times have to try several times. Both keys are original got truck from my son.
    150,000 on truck, we put a low milage engine in truck.
    Engine had less than 30,000.
    3 litre flex fuel engine, are these engines any good.
    I know I will not use the flex fuel because of higer cost and lower milage.
    Tryed lock ease in passenger door lock, no change.
    Could some thing be bent or could I have a Bad ground on electric locks.
    Bad ground could explain electric locks but not the trouble wit key and manual
    opening of locks.Could keys be worn from use in ignition (no problem there).
    I guess I could take vechice up to dealer and have key made from Vechicle number
    on dash, which would be original key with no wear.
    SICK LEAVE, Bob
  • cfowleroncfowleron Member Posts: 14
    Hey all;

    When the truck is turned off and the driver's door is open, if I press the brake pedal the alarm sounds (the same alarm the sounds when you leave your keys in the ignition or your lights on...) Just tonight I found that when I engaged my right turn signal and pressed the brake the right turn signal would stop flashing. When I got home I noticed that the Left turn signal / parking light was out. I removed the bulb and reseated it and it works now. However, my left turn signal stopped flashing when the brake pedal was pressed (the issue moved). The hazzard lights also appeared to have ceased to work. I came back about 20 mins later and everything is now working the way it is supposed to, except for the brake / alarm issue, which started recently. Could this be a simple grounding issue (IE replace all the parking bulbs)?

    Thanks!
  • dazedmcdazedmc Member Posts: 1
    New guy here,
    I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XLT with 4.0 V6, 2 wheel drive. My probem is that everytime I hit the brake pedal, my right turn signal lights up. This includes both front and rear lights as well as the dashboard light. When I turn the signal on and hit the brake, the signal will not flash, take the foot off the brake, the signal works fine. Any ideas? Thanks
  • cfowleroncfowleron Member Posts: 14
    LOL, are you kidding me? That's pretty much identical to what I posted. Am I missing a joke somewhere here? - no offense intended... just seemed ironic when I got the notification.

    In fact, I meant to post this over the weekend but didn't get the chance... Check the mini fuse (perhaps in the driver's dash / door area - not sure on a '97). After booking an appointment with my mechanic who said it sounded like it was brake related, I decided to check the fuses. I thought it would be one of the larger relay types but as it turns out it was a 25 amp mini - #17 to be precise (the cigarette lighter / Data Control Link fuse).

    So, my advice would be to check all of the fuses and see if one of them was blown.

    Good luck!
  • shirob49shirob49 Member Posts: 1
    Own a 1999 Ford Ranger. Front Parking Lights come on with head lights. Back parking lights do not. Same when parking lights are turned on. The turn signals do not work at all. Checked the bulbs,OK. Changed out the flasher, no luck. Can not read voltage at the rear parking light socket. All other lights work OK. Any Ideas?
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    First thing I would check would be tosee if someone has cut into the rear wires for a trailer tow wiring.
  • casprigcasprig Member Posts: 1
    I have no passenger rear blinker, tail or brake lights. When blinker is turned on it blinks rapidly indicating the bulb is out. Nope, changed front and rear along with every applicable fuse and some. At first, I had tail light but would not intensify to illuminate brake. Now they're all gone. Very odd, but when I start to roll down my driver power window...I hear that distinct blinker sound just for a second. Half the dash lights are out also. How can my Br. in-laws '82 Ranger have zero problems but I've had electrical problems with a '98, '00 and now '02? Come on Ford....Toyota is smoking you.
  • huffcohuffco Member Posts: 1
    90 Ranger PU, daughters...poor
    Alt not charging, dies when batt disconnected, nothing from volt meter.

    2 plug connectors
    Large, 3 wires, 2 big and 1 small
    Small, 2 wires, both small

    No wire on large connector every reads anything on digital meter. Shouldn't 1 of the two large wires read batt voltage when unplugged and key off or on?

    1 wire on small connector reads batt voltage when unplugged, and key switched on.

    Isn't small connector field exciter and regulator?

    Isn't large connector battery charge output?

    2 new Autozone (yea I know) alternators, 1 new batt.

    Still, alt good or bad cannot work if one of large wires lost connection to batt?

    All fuses have been checked. All wiring checked visually. This vehicle does not have stack of wires off the solenoid, but has one large wire into harness that diappears into adjacent fuse block.

    Do Rangers have an issue with failure of batt wire to alternator?

    I am stuck like Chuck on this one and need to get this poor rag back to daughter to get her to work.

    Thanks...-Eddie-
  • cldavis65cldavis65 Member Posts: 1
    My overdrive light flashes and the oil guage needle bounces and now my battery will not stay charged.Is there a short or could it just be the battery i need to change?It's a 2003 ford ranger xlt.Any help would be greatly appriciated
  • fordfrustrat2fordfrustrat2 Member Posts: 1
    We are having this same problem. Will removing the fuse cause it to drain the battery or no? Clearly we'll have to reconnect the fuse, so other things in the truck work.

    Where do you need to take the panel off? We're new to this -
  • ctpapictpapi Member Posts: 1
    What was the solution for your Ford Ranger 93 headlight issue? I am having the same problem with the pull knob.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    Taking a door panel off isn't the easiest thing in the world. Look for screws thru the panel. Maybe inside the door pull area. Then, you have to pry out the push-pins which are all around the bottom and sides of the panel. Then lift up. Then remove all wires connected to the door.
  • kwekwe Member Posts: 3
    I had this same problem with my 90 Ranger with the 4 doors. Every time I hit a bump the door moved slightly and the dome light and buzzer went off. Easy fix. Remove the door panel on the front doors and unplug the wire at the door latches.
    The dome light still works when you open the back doors and they no longer pop on. Removing the door panel is easy. Just follow the instructions in any of the Chilton books.
  • irishmn322irishmn322 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the same issue. Any success in resolving your problem?
  • yourbuddypaulyourbuddypaul Member Posts: 1
    HELPP!!!

    All at once, here's what failed, without any apparent reason (I didn't do anything out of the ordinary):

    Interior lights out.
    Speedometer/odometer are dead.
    Wipers dead.
    Air bag light is ON.
    "Theft" light no longer blinks.
    Automatic Window Down doesn't work anymore, but the window still goes up and down if I hold the button.
    Seat Belt Alarm is OFF.
    And the radio doesn't pick up any radio stations.

    I've checked fuses, battery connections. What gremlin has gotten into my car?!?!?!
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    While you don't mention what year your Ranger is, those issues all happening at once sound a lot like a failed computer... particularly what is referred to sometimes as the body control module that handles various operating functions.

    kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
  • crswacrswa Member Posts: 1
    I bought a new alternator for my 99 Ranger and the pulley sizes are a little different between the new one and the old one. The only way to loosen the nut that holds the pulley on is with an impact wrench, which I don't have. I realize that if I use the new alternator with the smaller pulley, it'll create less amperage, but is that likely to be a problem in normal driving? My only other choices are to leave the truck out of commission until Monday when I can find an open automotive shop to swap out the pulleys or to just take the truck in and let them do the whole job.
  • kevin97116kevin97116 Member Posts: 15
    Actually, since the alternator pulley is "driven" rather than being the "driver" it will spin more revolutions rather than less for a given engine RPM. It will be able to generate maximum amperage at lower engine RPMs than one with a larger pulley.

    If you have means to stabilize the pulley (ie vice, strap wrench, big pipe wrench, etc) you can put a wrench on the pulley nut and give it a good whack with a hammer in the direction you want it to move. That will usually do the trick.

    Good luck
  • rick2343rick2343 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2003 ford ranger xlt with the 4.0liter v6 the problem is that ill be driving along and the engine just dies out, some times it will kick back in and keep going or other times i will have to pull over and have to start the truck again this is quite a scary expirience when you are doing 75 on the free way if any one can help or knows what is going on get back to me asap thank you so much...
  • ragtimegalragtimegal Member Posts: 1
    Won't communicate with state inspection computer. Previous owner had installed light bar, which was removed but wire and toggle switch remain (were disconnected last week). The dome light often comes on or stays on, so I removed the light bulb. Battery gauge light doesn't work. Temp and battery charge gauges read zero when engine is cold, then tremble and begin to register when truck is driven for a short time. Cigarette lighter will heat but won't lock into 'down' position. I went to another shop; the guy there said that the state inspection software had been modified to close loopholes, and he couldn't bypass functions like he used to. I'm an electronics tech, and I read in the Forum to check clusters 11 and 17, cleaning and checking connections. I'm off to look at the dash gauges. Fuses are ok. Any advice? Thanks -
  • billybob20billybob20 Member Posts: 1
    abs light has been on for awhile, brake lights stopped working a week ago. replaced brake light switch,no change,put wire in brke light switch plug in, light still wont work, the plug-in has power to it also, overhead brake light on cab has power . the turn signals and tail lights work fine, brake light wire under the cab has power but not at the brake lights . Im sorry it is a 1994 ranger 4x4 extended cab. Is the wire bad or could it be something else ? The brakes work fine .
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    ABS - On a 94 (I owned one), if you let the brake fluid in the master cylinder get low, the ABS light will come on when you press on the brake.

    Brake Light - I doubt the ABS light has anything to do with the brake light. You have found power in the wire 'under the cab'. Therefore, the problem is between there and the brake bulbs. I think there is a main connector at the back of the truck where all the wires come in - brake, turn signal, and backup. This connector may be dirty or loose. If you don't have an electrical diagram, trace back from the brake bulb to this connector (Get the brake color wire), and test for brake power at the connector. This will tell if the wire is good to there. If power there, the problem is toward the bulbs. CHECK THE GROUNDS back there. It might be a ground problem.
  • 03fordranger03fordranger Member Posts: 1
    Hi

    I know this information is late, but i wanted to pass on to you that I had the same problem with mine.. the problem was the "inertia" switch located under the passangers side dash... its a red button switch that is designed to cut off the fuel to the engine during an impact.. over time i beleive these things are designed to die out.... they are linked to the starting system.. if the button is pressed or i say gets old it will give out.... you can have it replaced or have it by-passed at your local pepboys ....... anyhow hope it helps........ send me a reply if this info helps or not

    thanks....
  • 99rangerxlt99rangerxlt Member Posts: 1
    i have a 99 xlt. i recently had to diconnect battery to clean connections, now my wipers and power windows won't work ?
  • animal1386animal1386 Member Posts: 1
    i've checked the fuse and cant find any that are blown
  • chankochanko Member Posts: 1
    I had a issue with the wipers first of not coming on and then the dome light would not come on and then the Windows would not roll down and the 4X4 Switch will not engage the 4X4. None of them have power to them. I used to start the truck and let it run for 15 minutes with the heater going and it seemed like it would work to get them going after the truck got 100 degrees inside. It acted like it had moisture on everything then yesterday I went out and ran the truck for a half hour to get them to work and hopefully dry everythying out but they will not work at all now. Does anyone know what the issue might be? :mad:
  • jerry57jerry57 Member Posts: 7
    have a 2003 ford ranger extended cab when i tilt steering wheel all the way down while driving my break lights or turn signals do not work but can move steering wheel back up and every thing goes to working a gain.
    also need a diagram to show what fuse operates what lost owners manul

    thanks guys
    jerry
  • mongos_rangermongos_ranger Member Posts: 1
    my ranger ran fine all of a suden it wont turn the starter it has new battery clean cables i can jumper the starter and it will spin and i can also bump start it and it will run fine till its turned off it has the 3.0 and its a manual 5 speed any ideas?
  • need4speedladyneed4speedlady Member Posts: 1
    i have a 98 3L 2wd i hoped in my truck recently and turned my park lights all the way on and then i had no dash lights no park lights but i had headlights. i tracked down the fuse to the powerbox under the hood i replaced the fuse it blew right away i put another in it took around a minute to blow so i got under the truck tracing the wireing wiggling it around put another fuse in it took 15 minutes to blow. so i swaped out a working relay and the fuse blew right away. another fuse in ran the truck for a few minutes blew again and i have a dim dome light after the fuse blows.my dimmer will not turn the dome light on when the door is closed either now.i also had a set of after market fog lighs i had spliced into the factory fog harness i cut the wire and the fuse is still blowing. if you have any suggestions on what could be going on i would apperciate hearing them
  • ricarguyricarguy Member Posts: 3
    hello i have a 94 ranger v6 xlt the 1st problem with it is their is no dash lights every other light works except the dash lights and the gauge work as well, could this be head light switch problem?? what else could cause this?? also the 4 wheel drive works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't . i have repaced the electrical motor at the tans that switches it into 4wd with a used one but it is still doing it? what could this be. also the truck only has 131000 miles
  • andrewjayandrewjay Member Posts: 4
    I have a 96 ranger that i bought off a friend of my parents. He was driving it since roughly 2000 and the check engine light is always on on the dash. A friend of mine also has one from this year with the same issue. is this a flaw with rangers of this year or is it something that needs to be fixed. My mechanic looked at it and only found one code to come up and it said it was the gas cap that was making it stay on so he shut it off. The next day the light came back on. It only goes out when the battery is un hooked or the mechanic shuts it off and then it just comes back on a few days later. anyone have any ideas why it might be doing this?
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    Gee, you think you might have a bad gas cap?
    Or a hole in the vacumn line that goes to the gas tank?

    Or maybe if you fix it, the check engine light will stop coming on?
  • andrewjayandrewjay Member Posts: 4
    I replaced the gas cap and its still on. i also have had my mechanic look and he cant find anything else wrong.
  • cfowleroncfowleron Member Posts: 14
    Did the mechanic do a smoke test on the neck? A friend of mine had this issue and when the smoke test was performed they discovered a small fracture located just below the gas cap, ergo, the new gas cap wouldn't fix it. I'm not sure how he fixed his, some type of goop I believe but I know he didn't replace the neck.
  • kynzzi38737kynzzi38737 Member Posts: 2
    Battery light keeps coming on and going off,, anyone else have this problem or can tell me what to do to correct this?
  • kynzzi38737kynzzi38737 Member Posts: 2
    I have a new alternator, i have a 2003 Ford ranger truck,,
  • bert02bert02 Member Posts: 2
    i just found a link details how to open the door panel and fix the light switch problem.

    http://www.sparkys-answers.com/2009/02/1999-ford-expedition-dome-courtesy-and.ht- ml

    follow the link to check the switch!

    Bert
  • kwekwe Member Posts: 3
    Hi Bert,
    Thanks for the note. I disassembled the front door panel and simply unplugged the light switch from the latch. Now I need to do the same with the rear suicide doors. I think the loose switch is in the rear doors as it still does the same and if I slam the rear door it's ok. Some rainy weekend I'll tackle that one.
    Karl
  • buster15buster15 Member Posts: 38
    My 1999 XLT 4L Ranger came with a tow package. The left signal (yellow wire in ford main wire harness) has failed. I disonnected the trailer harness plug and there is no signal. Next I disconnected the plug on the harnees that leads to the right side up near the rear frame and bumper and have a signal on the male prong.

    Following this yellow wire to the front of the truck, I untaped the harness and found a heat shrink connection on the brown wire. Moving on, after dropping the spare tire for access, I went as far as a "Y" wire connection all taped up just above the rear axle.

    From what I can tell there is no signal at this point. Fuses seem ok. Any help is appreciated.
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