A couple of nagging questions ....

[98v70dad]

My 1996 Ranger with air conditioning has a couple of minor things going on that really annoy me and I would like to fix them.

1) The first is the parking brake release. When I pull out the release I can hear the pedal disengage and move but it never completely releases. I always have to pull the release lever twice. This annoys me every time I drive the truck. Its been going on for years and I'd like to fix it once and for all. Is there an adjustment or does it just need to be lubricated. If so what gets the grease/lube?

2) Recently a periodic chirp like noise started coming from behind the dashboard towards the floor on the passenger side. The noise happens every few minutes. Its not really a chirp but its chirp like. A better description is the noise cockroaches make if you're familiar with that. Anyhow, I suspect its a vacuum leak that has something to do with the blend door for the air conditioning but I figured I'd ask about it here before I started tearing into things. It only chirps at me when the air conditioning is on.

Any thoughts on either or both problems would really help me out. I've got a bunch of projects going on and these annoying but minor problems are way down the list.

 

[RonD]

Yes, use some spray lube on Parking brake mechanism, then hold out the release handle and pump the brake pedal
If it still not coming back up all the way, go under the Ranger and look for the return spring on the equalizer, where 1 cable changes to 2 cables, outside of driver's side frame rail
Looks like this: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ra..._12de62ca46c9c808e1a74e847fcc94493e082d17.jpg


Vents(defrost, panel, floor) are vacuum operated
Blend door is electric, and can be an issue on 1995 thru 2011 Rangers

Google: Ranger Blend Door actuator
LOTS of videos and how-tos on that part
But its controlled by TEMP knob on dash so unless you are moving that there should be no noise, although it could be cycling, its not a simple electric motor

The 3.0l Cam synchronizer is right next to the firewall in engine bay, and it will make a chirp noise as its wearing out
But only with engine running

Do you hear the chirp with key on engine off?

 

[Curious Hound]

In addition to what RonD said; does the chirp happen with the heater-A/C blower running? The blower motor is over in that area. Could have dry or worn bushings in it.

 

[sgtsandman]

If the return string isn’t the issue, it could be that one of the cables is sticking some in the housing. You could try spraying a dry lube for cables in them, though I don’t remember there bing much room between the cable and the housing to do that.

 

[98v70dad]

Yes, use some spray lube on Parking brake mechanism, then hold out the release handle and pump the brake pedal
If it still not coming back up all the way, go under the Ranger and look for the return spring on the equalizer, where 1 cable changes to 2 cables, outside of driver's side frame rail
Looks like this: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ra..._12de62ca46c9c808e1a74e847fcc94493e082d17.jpg


Vents(defrost, panel, floor) are vacuum operated
Blend door is electric, and can be an issue on 1995 thru 2011 Rangers

Google: Ranger Blend Door actuator
LOTS of videos and how-tos on that part
But its controlled by TEMP knob on dash so unless you are moving that there should be no noise, although it could be cycling, its not a simple electric motor

The 3.0l Cam synchronizer is right next to the firewall in engine bay, and it will make a chirp noise as its wearing out
But only with engine running

Do you hear the chirp with key on engine off?

I replaced the cam synchronizer (with OEM Motorcraft) about 50K miles ago when I got the truck. I hesitated to describe the noise as a chirp because I really doubt that the synchronizer is the problem and chirping is how that failure is described. Could be but that part is pretty new. The only time I hear the chirp noise is when the AC is on.