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Question: 1997 Ford Ranger mileage: 115,000. My lights didn't turn on when I turned them on. I thought it might be my fuses. I replaced them, but that wasn't it. I was going to drive to work anyway so while I started to drive I flicked the bright light handle and it turned my regular lights on. So, for the next few days every time I turned on my lights I had to flash the bright handle to get them to come on. Now I do it and the brights come on but, when I let the handle go the regular lights are not coming on. I have been driving while holding in the bright handle, which gives me bright lights, but I have no regular lights anymore. What is causing this?

Answer: Sounds like your high-low headlight switch is faulty.

Question:  2000 Ford Ranger truck mileage: 1000.  Any time I step on the gas and make a demand on the engine the truck makes a lot of noise.   It sounds like a roar coming from an engine that is running a lot faster than it should.  The sound is similar to what you would hear from a faulty exhaust system.  I test-drove a truck with the very same eng.& trans.   To me it sounded a lot quieter.  The service man at Ford said that they could not find any thing wrong.  HELP

Answer:   The problem you describe is probably caused by the radiator fan clutch.  Because your vehicle is new, it may take a little while to break in.

Question:  1999 Ford Ranger   mileage: 54,000.   I am having trouble engaging the 4x4 wheel drive.  When I press the 4x4 button, I hear a tick, tick, and tick from the computer behind the drivers seat, hidden behind the jump seat.  I hit the reset button and that got the light that tells you the 4x4 is engaged to come on but the wheel did not engage and pull when I spun the back wheels.  I reset the computer again and again but the wheel never engaged. 

Answer:    Try replacing the engagement motor on the transfer case.

Question:  1997 Ford Ranger  mileage: 130,000.   This Ranger has seen a lot of miles and 3 clutches all in all a pretty good record.  What I've got happening now is the transmission gets stuck in gear unless I double clutch.   It only happens when the truck is warmed up or I'm accelerating hard.  Hydraulics?   Transmission?  Thanks for any direction so I can go to the mechanic a little more informed.

Answer:    Sound like the sync roes need replacing.

Question:  1998 Ford Ranger XLT mileage: 107,000.  When I start my ranger I have a hard time getting it into gear.  Sometimes turning the car off and then starting the engine again allows me to get into gear.  Typically, when I am driving it is not a problem...I can get it into gear.  Lately, stopping at a red light now it is tough to get into gear.   Everything is still original (clutch, transmission, etc.) and all fluids are good.  Do I need to drain and flush the transmission?  New clutch?  Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer:    You probably need a new clutch assembly.

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Question:  2000 Ford Ranger mileage: 46,000.  I had to have the transmission replaced (manual 5) due to a leak in the transmission case.  Then this past July I was having problems again and needed some gears replaced.  At this time I had the clutch replaced. Occasionally I was still hearing grinding going into fifth.  The shop replaced a bearing.  Two days after picking it up I got stuck not being able to shift and when driving it would start moving even with the clutch off and lurching with the break on.  They replaced the slave cylinder (originally replaced with the clutch although with two defective parts).  I again picked up my truck and in less than 24 hours, the same thing happened.  Now they say it is not the slave but the master cylinder.  Does this sound right?  Any ideas why I am having so much trouble?  Time to get rid of the truck?

Answer:    The problem you describe with the clutch could have been either the master or the slave.  Replacing the clutch master cylinder should fix the problem.  It was probably a good idea to replace the slave anyway.

Question:  1999 Ford Ranger 4x4  mileage: 87,000.  When I start up my truck the 'brake' and 'ABS' warning lights come on and stay on until I shut off the vehicle.  The brakes seem to work normally along with the parking brake.  This has been going on for 2 months now.  Is it serious?  What does it mean?

Answer:  The “ABS” (antilock breaking systems) light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the braking system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.   Because the ABS light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.  Your ABS system may not be functioning.

Question:  2003 Ranger mileage: 40,000.  What is the sparkplug gap for this engine?

Answer:    Your spark plug gap should be .035.

Question:  1999 Ford Ranger mileage: 100,500.  When I took it in to get it inspected, the guy told me that it was very close, but not quite passing on the low end.  (Fluorocarbons?)   I had not had a problem passing inspection before.  I had new plugs and plug wires put in approximately 3 months before, and since I took it in, I put in a new air filter and new PCV valve.  I have always run mid-grade gas in it.  Could you give me any more suggestions?

Answer:    Replacing the oxygen sensor and the catalytic converter should “clean-up” the emission problem.

Question:  1990 Ford Ranger 2X4  mileage: 83,000.  At 25-2800 rpm, I get a vibration in the engine regardless if it is in gear or not. I have checked the harmonic balancer by setting it at TDC and checking the distributor to see if it is pointing at the No. 1 plug. It’s OK. The balancer shows no signs of wobble, slippage or deteriorated rubber. I have removed the belts to check the power steering, alternator, water pump and fan. I have checked for parts rubbing and I have tightened the pressure plate bolts.  What’s left? HELP!!!

Answer:   If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem.  Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc.  Also, replace the oxygen sensor.  In addition, service the fuel injection system.  Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question:  1996 Ford Ranger  mileage: 64,000.  Heater won’t heat blowing cool air.  I’m thinking about changing thermostat. Any ideas?

Answer:   The heater control valve may be stuck closed or the vacuum hose is loose or not getting vacuum to open it.

Question:  1994 Ford Ranger mileage: 150,000.  M Ford Ranger stalls out if it sits and idles for to long.  When I try to restart the engine acts as if its flooded and it takes several minutes to restart.  I have had a tune up and replaced the plug wires even went to a higher grade of gasoline with no change.   The truck runs great the rest of the time, but in heavy traffic, it becomes a problem.  Help!

Answer: Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not “plugged” or restricted.  Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question:  1999 Ford Ranger 5,000.  I have a burn hole in the front seat and was wondering what is the easiest way to fix it.

Answer:   Bummer, only 5000 miles on your new truck and a hole in the upholstery.  An auto “trim” or upholstery service center should be able to do the repairs.

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Question: 1994 Ford Ranger mileage: 157,000. I am noticing a pinging sound from the engine, which has gotten worse in last few days. It is a similar type sound experienced when using lower grade gas in a vehicle. When I accelerate, it gets much worse. Is this a serious problem and can you tell me what could be possibly causing this noise?

Answer: Yes, this is a serious problem and the knock sensor has probably failed.

Question:  1994 Ford Ranger  mileage: 130,000. My starter went out. I also replaced the positive battery cable because it was worn. Everything seems to be re-connected correctly. However, I have no electrical power of any kind!

Answer: Recheck the battery cable connectors. One of the smaller power wires is either on the wrong location or off altogether

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