how many idiot lights

[tmcalavy]

I had to dodge water from the sky getting to the truck this morning and a drop or two entered my left ear and soaked the memory chips on that side of my head, so I need a little help on a brain-fart day.
How many idiot lights are there on my 93 Ranger XLT with 3.0? The check engine light came on driving to work, so I figured it was time to add the occasional quart of 30-weight that my truck demands...since I couldn't remember the last time. Got gas, added a quart and a ways down the road the CEL cam back on and I couldn't remember if my truck has a low-oil level light or just the CEL...it behaves so well I've only see the CEL one other time. It was pouring so hard I couldn't take a soaking by checking the level before and after...but it's been about the right amount of time. A light alerted me to low oil the first time, but can't remember which one??
Gettin' older sux.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There should be a diagram in your owners manual that shows them all and what they mean.

I am pretty sure the parent's '94 Explorer (same dash as your truck) had a low oil light.

 

[tmcalavy]

Bought it used...so, of course, no manual.

 

[killj0y]

Bought it used...so, of course, no manual.

Ford makes it available online for free in pdf format.

 

[tmcalavy]

Cool beans Kemosabe...whereabouts on da Web?

 

[killj0y]

Cool beans Kemosabe...whereabouts on da Web?

http://www.motorcraftservice.com/vdirs/retail/default.asp quick search would have brought it up but here you go.

 

[tmcalavy]

No love there without a subscription, but I found this after my brain fired off this morning...for those who might read this thread later:
http://ebookbrowsee.net/1993-ford-ranger-owners-manual-pdf-d295555178

 

[Ranger-rick]

Why do you run straight 30 weight in your 3 liter?

Shouldn't you be using 5w30? They haven't used 30 weight in cars since the early 80s

 

[tmcalavy]

Well that's what I could find in the stop-n-rob where I stopped for gas...not a big selection there. I'm going back to 10-30W after trying 5-20W for two oil changes...it's too thin. Little Green consumes more of it over time than good old 10-30W. To wrap up this saga, there are two idiot lights on the 93 dash, left of the steering wheel...one is low oil and other is CEL. I took the bypass home after work the next day and opened Little Green up to 75-80 mph for about 4 miles...no more CEL and it idles better, too. Putzing around town at less than 45 takes a toll on how it runs. And the dipstick reads barely a hair over full. Thanks for your replies.

 

[Ranger-rick]

Gotcha. I understand. I thought you consistently ran 30 weight haha.


Good to hear your problem is solved!

 

[tmcalavy]

I like to run the recommended stuff until an engine shows signs of wear, then I move to progressively thicker oil...cause I tend to run an engine into the dirt. It's a tool after all, take care of if and use it until it breaks or dies and can't be rebuilt. Ford has been saying that the 3.0 back to about '95 is good with 5X20W oil, but I wouldn't use it in any 3.0 that has more than 80-100K miles and has seen heavy use.