1998 Ford Ranger 3.0L 140,000 Miles Help Please

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DeathRace2000 - 22 Apr 2008 08:22 GMT

This truck has been through just about everything.

I have four big issues that seem to be getting worse as the miles add
up. This is a 1998 Ford Ranger automatic - 6 Cylinder 3.0L with
140,000 Miles. Any Ranger gurus out there? Any help would be greatly
appreciated. If no one has experienced these problems, I hope the
issues below are at least somewhat entertaining and amusing to you!

1. The idle is rough enough for you to sing a straight note that
sounds like a sheep. The truck is like a diaphragm. LOL! I mean this
thing shakes. Then when I get between 30 and 55 mph I notice it doing
it again. Must be a certain rpm that it is hitting on because I notice
it shakes at the same intervals. If I let off of the throttle it
stops. I know I need a new fuel filter, but I have no clue where it is
at or how to release the fuel pressure. What could be the problem
here? :?:

2. There is a rattling noise on the driver side in the engine. I hear
it more when driving in the low gears, but hardly notice it in the
high gears. When it is cold it sounds even worse. And I am in PA and
it gets cold here. It has made this noise for a while. It sounds
similar to an engine on low oil, but the oil is maintained very well.
What could the problem be? :?:

3. When it is hot out the belt gobbles like a turkey. The sound is
coming from the top pulley behind the fan. I sprayed it with lubricant
and it stopped for about 10 minutes and came right back. The belt
looks to be fine. I greased the pulley, but that only takes care of it
for a couple of days. And when it rains it sounds like a banshee! In
the cold weather; however, the pulley makes no sound at all. Humidity?
Loosen the pulley somehow? What could be the problem here? :?:

4. Somebody forgot to turn out the lights. This one baffles me. :?
The dome light seems to want to come on whenever the heck it likes.
The door ajar light comes on whenever it wants just as if I was
opening the door. Even when I am driving down the road. At night I
could be headed to the city in the dark with my headlights on and the
dome light will kick on while I’m driving for a few seconds and then
click off. This is scary. This truck is possessed and I love it!

:twisted: If I park and physically open the door while in motion

before I stop, the dome light will not come on and the door ajar light
goes out. But it is just a temporary fix because the next time I get
in all these little things start happening all over again. If I do not
open the door before I park, the truck goes crazy with no one inside
it. Crazy huh? What could the problem be here? :?:

I apologize for the huge post, but I wanted to be sure to be as
descriptive as I could be.

Thanks in advance for any advice that you may be able to post.

Sincerely,

DeathRace2000 :lol:

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david - 22 Apr 2008 10:38 GMT

> This truck has been through just about everything.
>
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
>
> DeathRace2000 :lol:

1) What codes are set? Is the MIL on? You can get it scanned for free at
your favorite national auto parts chain. If you don't know how to change
the fuel filter, or you aren't capable of doing a google search to find
out how, then you should take it to someone that can do it for you.

2) broken engine mount? Or, perhaps, just a symptom of problem #1.

3) worn idler pulley? Of course, if you're not comfortable changing a
fuel filter, then replacing an idler pulley is probably beyond you as
well.

4) Defective door latch. this is a common problem. Do a google search
for "ranger door latch" and you'll find a temporary fix. It involves a
can of WD-40

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Jeff Strickland - 22 Apr 2008 17:00 GMT

>> This truck has been through just about everything.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 64 lines]
> for "ranger door latch" and you'll find a temporary fix. It involves a
> can of WD-40

A word of caution on the WD40, it will turn to goo that will cause the
problem again next winter. WD40 is reasonably good to free the sticky
mechanism, but when it dries it gets sticky and gooey. I would suggest
avoiding WD40 in favor of contact cleaner, carb cleaner, or other similar
cleaner, then once the mechanism works reliably, a shot of lubricant.

I had a the same problem on a BMW, and I found that the latch mechanism had
to be removed to get to the right spot to make it work right again. The
Ranger could be different -- it likely is different -- but I suggest being
prepared to remove the latch.

Reply to this Message

Jeff Strickland - 22 Apr 2008 16:54 GMT

> This truck has been through just about everything.
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> similar to an engine on low oil, but the oil is maintained very well.
> What could the problem be? :?:

Broken heat shield on the exhaust manifold?

> 3. When it is hot out the belt gobbles like a turkey. The sound is
> coming from the top pulley behind the fan. I sprayed it with lubricant
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> the cold weather; however, the pulley makes no sound at all. Humidity?
> Loosen the pulley somehow? What could be the problem here? :?:

Replace the idler pulley that you are greasing. It should cost something in
the neighborhood of $15 to $20. You may as well put on a new belt at the
same time.

> 4. Somebody forgot to turn out the lights. This one baffles me. :?
> The dome light seems to want to come on whenever the heck it likes.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> open the door before I park, the truck goes crazy with no one inside
> it. Crazy huh? What could the problem be here? :?:

The Door Open Switch is mounted inside the door latch. You will need to pull
the latch out of the door and clean the crap out of the linkage and pivot
points.

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CarCrazy666@gmail.com - 06 May 2008 20:32 GMT

> This truck has been through just about everything.
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> at or how to release the fuel pressure. What could be the problem
> here? :?:

Change the filter. Disconnect pump fuse, try and start should remove
pressure.
Clean the IAC. A tuneup wouldn't hurt, air filter, plugs and wires.

> 2. There is a rattling noise on the driver side in the engine. I hear
> it more when driving in the low gears, but hardly notice it in the
> high gears. When it is cold it sounds even worse. And I am in PA and
> it gets cold here. It has made this noise for a while. It sounds
> similar to an engine on low oil, but the oil is maintained very well.
> What could the problem be? :?:

Could be manifold gasket. But check for loose heat shield on Cat
Converter.

Idler pulley and or tensioner need replaced.

Clean the door switch in the door latch, very common problem.

> I apologize for the huge post, but I wanted to be sure to be as
> descriptive as I could be.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> DeathRace2000 :lol:

Check on rangerpowersports.com forum

Many answers there too.

Good luck.

CC

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