What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Things2do]

F&@:%€n Brake Lights…

I put in the new switch, I took it out and put it in again after checking everything, I sprayed it all with WD-40, and I still have the original problem that came up with the old switch.

I've noticed that behavior of the brake lights going off when you let up on the pressure on several Fords. I first noticed it on a 48,000 mile Grand Marquis and just assumed that it was some feature to let cops in Crown Vics sit in gear with the brake lights off. But my Ranger does it too, so I guess it's just something caused by that type of switch.

You might try removing the little plastic bushing that goes on the shaft that the switch rides on on the pedal, the little plastic cylinder that takes up the gap between that rod and the switch. When I first got my Ranger it didn't have brake lights at all unless I really stepped on them, like yours is doing when you ease off and then press harder, but removing that little plastic cylinder made them work like they should starting from barely touching the pedal. I don't know why and it probably isn't a permanent fix, but at least they work.




Today I put in my third NAPA reman starter, while laying in a large puddle in a dirt parking lot and being dripped on by melting snow. The first starter was bad out of the box and the second one lasted a whole 4 months and 800 miles. While I was under there and cold and wet anyway I replaced the 2005 date coded fuel filter. For some reason my engine seems a little happier now... I also did yet another round of cleaning on the front seats. They aren't turning my cleaning towel quite as black as they used to. And then I went and bought a pair of Skyjacker 132X 1.5" lift springs for $100 on Marketplace.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well, Saturday night my Choptop stopped pumping fuel, Mom’s 02 Explorer decided to stop letting the windows go up and down, friend Tom’s 96 Explorer decided also to stop letting the windows work and to flash the 4x4 lights on the dash, and the dome light in my F-150 decided to stop working. I got a ride home, dragged the tow dolly out of the mud and took the F-150 to tow the Choptop to Paul’s.

Sunday both Explorers started working fine. Also my dome light came back on (I got home after midnight). After church I got a ride up to Paul’s and started checking the electrical for the fuel system (I had done everything possible with the limited tools and parts I had Saturday night, really needed a multimeter and power probe). Got the pump to kick on and I think the relay is flaking out because it would randomly not click, click as loud as a starter solenoid with a bad starter, or click normally. I put a new one in after cleaning terminals and it appears to have solved the problem. Got a spare new relay on order, should be here today.

I also put new shocks on the front of the Choptop. The old shocks were still working. They were a higher grade Guardian or Gabriel shock. I decided to try some Rough Country N3 shocks. Definitely beefier than what I had in there. Definite improvement. Tamed most of the vibration I have been getting, removed the minor bit of bump steer I’ve been getting, and the front end feels planted for the first time ever. I’m now contemplating replacing the new KYBs in the rear, they were an improvement over the Guardian/Gabriel shocks I had back there but maybe there’s an even better option?

 

[Rick W]

Well, Saturday night my Choptop stopped pumping fuel, Mom’s 02 Explorer decided to stop letting the windows go up and down, friend Tom’s 96 Explorer decided also to stop letting the windows work and to flash the 4x4 lights on the dash, and the dome light in my F-150 decided to stop working. I got a ride home, dragged the tow dolly out of the mud and took the F-150 to tow the Choptop to Paul’s.

Have you checked if your toilets are all flushing?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Have you checked if your toilets are all flushing?

All are fine except the one that is currently not installed at Paul’s sisters house because we’ve been working on a bathroom remodel

 

[djfllmn]

drove it to work, felt like the first time in forever