Ranger needs a little work

[Fraser1989]

So I just picked my ranger 1996 xlt super cab manual. there are a few things that need a little work. If you can point me in the right direction to fix these up it would be awesome.

Engine temp gauge it does not work. It dosent move at all and is in the cold position. The truck pumps out good heat though. I am asumming it is some sort of sensor or something along those lines.

Noted with the above note the climate control only pumps out hot air. Right now that's not the biggest problem as it is - 20 celceus out here but it still gets a little toasty in the cab. The fan switch works as it should the temp control is just stuck on hot. The asembely does rotate properly. I am guessing it just dosent catch what's behind it.

The door ajar light is always on. The door is clearly very closed but does not turn off. Not sure where to go with this one?

Lastly the gauge check sign is blinking. I am assuming this is because the engine temp gauge is not functioning but not sure.

Also it kind of looks like the dash is from an automatic transmission truck. It has the strip to select drive and reverse and all that. Seeing as I have only seen the dash of my 1996 I am not sure if they all look like that or if mine had the gauge cluster swapped out?

 

[mobileaudio219]

The gauge issue is probably a bad sensor. If you haven't gotten one yet, buy a repair manual. It should tell you how to ground the sensor wire to see if it pegs the inside to over heating. If doesn't peg it, then it's a wiring issue or the gauge itself.

Sounds like you need to get the little heater control panel. Do ajar light is probably a broken switch, open your doors and look around the door jam, you'll see what I'm talking about. The switch controls your dome light and door ajar light in the dash. Does your dome light always stay on, or does it not work?

Sounds like the cluster is out of another truck, or your truck started out as and auto and somebody did a 5 speed swap.

 

[wildbill23c]

Like above, the coolant gauge could be the gauge, the wiring, sensor, or a combination of any of those. I just spent $30 and got a 3 gauge panel from Autozone that gives coolant temp, oil pressure, and voltage, I didn't want to mess with figuring out the previous owner's mess in my bronco 2.

Your instrument cluster is definitely not the right one. If you have a manual transmission the instrument cluster wouldn't have the automatic transmission shifting window in it at all. This could possibly be your problem is the wrong instrument cluster was put in it and in the process the gauges weren't hooked up correctly. This could also explain your idiot lights being on as well.

 

[James86]

Does the slot for the auto gear indicator actually have "P R N (D) 2 1" or is it blank? form what I recall on my friend's '96 manual, the slot is there, but it's just blank.

 

[johnday]

Does the slot for the auto gear indicator actually have "P R N (D) 2 1" or is it blank? form what I recall on my friend's '96 manual, the slot is there, but it's just blank.

My '04 Edge, 5 speed manual, has just what you describe.

 

[Fraser1989]

Thanks for the reply's so far.

So I have developed a thought process and I am not sure if it is right or not so please feel free to re direct my thinking if it is off.

Since all of the other gauges are functional with the expaption of the spedomiter that is off but still works they all work. I imagine the engine temp gauge is just not plugged in right or something along those lines.

What would be the proper process in order to further investigate this?
I doubt this is an OBD2 vehicle due to its age so I cant just plug in my scan gauge to it. For engine temp or diagnostics.

Also I did a lot of researching about the truck only blowing hot air. So the truck is clearly heating up properly. Looks like the proper fix is the door blend replacement or repair. Would this have any reason to interfere with the engine temp gauge not working?

 

[James86]

What would be the proper process in order to further investigate this?
I doubt this is an OBD2 vehicle due to its age so I cant just plug in my scan gauge to it. For engine temp or diagnostics.

Anything since 1996 should be OBDII

Oldest vehicle I've scanned is a 1998, but 1996 should be OBDII

 

[97RangerXLT]

The Check gauge light is just a note to look over your gauges because something needs to be checked. It will come on when you get down to the last 2 gallons of gas as well. I think your original thought that it is on because the temp gauge is not moving is correct.

The door ajar issue is due to a switch in the door latch assembly, common issue with these trucks. you will need to replace it more than likely, but you might be able to get it working again by spraying some wd 40 or similar into the door latch.

like the others have said, it looks like either your dash cluster is for an auto, or your truck was converted to a manual. This also might have something to do with your check gauge light.

The blend door is probably broken inside the dash. I believe you can access it by removing the glovecompartment. this is another common issue with the Ranger.

AJ