Finally bought a truck I've wanted!

[DangerBlue]

Hey guys,
New here from Wa state. I just picked up a 94 Ford Ranger ext cab 4.0 truck the other day. She's in pretty good shape. Only 59K miles on it. My very first truck was a 90 Ranger 2.3. Good little truck. Sold it when I bought my diesel. Diesel is getting too expensive for my commute, so I parked it and bought this truck. I've always wanted one of these! Has a couple things I need to figure out. Like what is normal oil pressure for these trucks? My gauge sits in the "O" of normal. Seems kinda low. Also, my coolant gauge fluctuates a little bit. It was the worst on my drive into work today. It went up to about mid range, then quickly dropped below the "n" and fluctuates the N and O for most of my commute. Will some times drop below the N when I stop. Probably going to throw a thermostat and fresh coolant at it this weekend. Anyways, here's a pic of it if it'll show up. Look forward to learning a lot here.

-Alex

 

[XLTsplash]

Welcome, That's very low miles for a 94 = nice find . For the oil pressure gauge it should read in the middle. You can test the gauge and check oil pressure with a real gauge or just start by installing a new oil sender to see if your gauge reads where it should.

 

[DangerBlue]

Thanks! I stopped and talked to a tech at the local Ford dealer. He said those trucks have had issues with the senders and Ford came out with an updated version. I bought that and threw it in. Sits a little above middle now!

 

[97rangerstepside]

Welcome from Clark county

 

[LARRYBOMB]

I thought the oil pressure gauge was more like a dummy light. Meaning if you have oil pressure it moves up from the L position. That's why it never moves and stays in the same spot. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/101540-oil-pressure-gauge-is-really-an-idiot-light.html

 

[ranger nation]

you did not mention if your fuel gauge was fluctuating, from your description of whats going on I would be looking at the 5 volt regulator on the back of your cluster.... just my 2 cents

 

[DangerBlue]

The fuel gauge isn't fluctuating, it just goes down too fast lol I changed the oil pressure switch and now my gauge sits a little over half way now. They must have changed the internal resistance of the switch or something to make the needle sit higher.

Now I just have to tackle my other issues I've discovered like having no power to the radio when the key is turned backwards and my possible voltage problem. If I don't let the clutch out just perfectly smooth, my volt meter takes a dive for zero and the radio will blip for a second. Super annoying because it doesn't take much to do it. The radio will also blip if I punch it while moving. Wonder if I have a loose wire, possible short somewhere...

 

[XLTsplash]

I would start with inspecting the ignition switch.