97 2.3 instrument cluster

[thateb]

The speedometer has been flaking out in my instrument cluster lately and causing my motor to die. I want to change it out with one with a tach. Is this possible, and where can I find a wiring diagram to make this happen? I would imagine that I may also need a sensor or some such as well. Does anybody know anything about the differences between models that have and dont have a factory tach? Thanks.

 

[Monty35]

your speedometer is causing your motor to crap out? how?

 

[thateb]

it sounds crazy, but when my speedo is acting normal, the thing runs normal. When I get on the highway and the needle starts bouncing around, then the motor occasionally dies out intermittently for split second. Eventually, the speedo completely quits and the hiccups quit. I was told that they are related and the cluster needs to be replaced. I want to put in one that has a tach now. How must extra work would be necessary to make a factory tach work in a ranger that didnt have a tach from the factory?

Thanks

 

[LearjetMinako]

Word of the wise, its not worth it. I know, I tried before. Best to just hook-up an aftermarket tach. If you really, REALLY want to go for it. You'll need THE correct cluster for your Ranger. All the wiring is already there.

Now on your issue, I highly believe its not your cluster but something else. Most likely a sensor or a PCM singal error.

 

[Buckeyes903]

Could the speedo jumping to the max speed cause the engine to cut off since it thinks its going the max speed? I don't know if Fords do that, but I know my dads 90 something caprice would cut the engine off cause of the speed limiter? Just a thought.

 

[thateb]

the dealer told me that the odd momentary stalling issue is related to the cluster, and it always coincides with the speedo acting up.

Is there some place to get a wiring diagram to research the possibility of getting a cluster with a tach? I will get a cluster from a salvage yard out of a 97 ranger regardless if it has a tach or not.

Thanks

 

[Monty35]

As far as I know, only the first gen rangers had different wiring behind the clusters. 2nd and 3rd gen should, as far as I've read around these parts, plug right in with a tach gauge. Just swap for an identical year and you should be alright. Also, worth keeping in mind, a cluster swap is a nice time to lose some mileage on your truck, as long as you dont mind possible legal issues

 

[Vonrak]

Speedometer clusters in most rangers are pretty much plug and play. I swaped non-tach in a 95 splash for with tach from a 99 Sport Trac. Only thing I had to do was swap out my temp gauge due to a added resistor on the 95 temp gauge.

Vonrak

 

[LearjetMinako]

Its best to choose a cluster that is for your Ranger. Same year and same engine. I tried with a 98 Explorer cluster and pretty much all my lights were wrong, the tach was off (too slow), speedo ratio was off.

How can a cluster affect the engine? I've already driven my Ranger without the cluster and it still was able to drive to the dealership without any issues.