86 ford ranger.

[thejdman04]

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I have an 86 Ford ranger, and recently the regulator on the altenator went. When the altenator went the radio quit working and the tail lights quit working. I have checked the fuses and bulbs. The turn signals and brake lights work. The head lights also work. The only 2 places I found the radio and tail lights linked together in anyway is in the headlight/dimmer switch. Thats the only place I found those 2 things(the tail lights and radio) linked together in any way. I tried a new headlight switch and still nothing works. Any ideas short of crawling under the truck with a test light and probing? The tachometer doesnt work but that hasnt for awhile.

 

[Red_Rider_00]

Start with buying a Chilton or Haynes manual for your truck. Very handy. Next, check and/or replace all fuses and circuit breakers. If you are lucky enough to have the factory owner's manual you will find reference guides for identifying fuses and breakers. Unfortunately, these guides aren't included in either Chilton or Haynes, but believe me, these books are an invaluable guide for every other aspect of your truck. My truck is 2001 with 3.0. I have a fuse panel below the steering wheel and also one under the hood near the firewall, driver's side. The one under the hood has 4 or 5 breakers which control lots of circuits. Good luck. P.S. The tach not working sounds like either a fuse or breaker as well.

 

[pillen140]

check the bulbs? also, if its an after market radio, they usually have an external fuse on the power wire behind the radio itself. just something to check.

 

[thejdman04]

I got the tail lights working. it was a ground issue. Now my dash lights and radio dont work unless the light switch is on and I turn the dome light on. My dash lights will work if I turn my headlights on and turn the dome light on