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Ford Ranger Maintenance and Repair

2986 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 6:47 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Ranger, Truck

Messages Page 28 of 299

#271 of 2986 4x4 ranger noises by longboarder

Nov 29, 2001 (11:16 am)

Fellow ranger owners:
 
This august I purchased a 2001 4x4 4.0L 5sp auto 4door ranger. I like it overall except for annoying sounds/rattles:
 
My engine has knock/rap/ping when accelerating hard (see messages 241-243). Had a Ford shop foreman test drive it. We then drove a new 2002 same model ranger and it had the same noise. I also drove my friend's ranger with the same engine. his too has this characteristic noise. dealer said to drive it - he didn't think it was a problem.
 
There is a loud noise in the headliner in the area of the passenger sun visor. sounds like crackling glue.
 
There is a noise in the drivers door that sounds like something metal hitting the glass of the window. (when window is closed)
 
The worst noise is coming from below or behind the cab and somewhere along the drivetrain. It sounds like a metallic pinging/ringing and is evident at speeds of 45mph and higher. Real annoying on the highway. Its going back to the dealer for a second try at fixing it.
 
There was also a rattle from the glovebox - maybe a hinge/bracket or something.
 
Anyone else heard these?

#272 of 2986 01 noises by goldranger

Nov 29, 2001 (8:49 pm)

longboarder,
 
let us know what you find, I'm looking for the noise you mention behind the cab, but only when the left side hits a bump. I found both the cables on the tailgate rattle when you hit a bump, inside mine is very quiet. I do however have the engine noise under acceleration. I don't think it will hurt anything. If it does before 36K its Ford's problem. Again, let us know if you find the under body noise.

#273 of 2986 longboarder.... by tbunder

Nov 29, 2001 (10:21 pm)

i too have an '01 ranger 4x4 supercab 4 door off-road 4.0 auto. i too have the little cable banging on something noise from the glovebox. but your rattle on the driver's side door, i just figured mine out today. you know the little lever you pull down to adjust the shoulder part of the seat belt? you know, the lower or raise part? that little black lever is not on there tight and it is making noise, a very minute and fine one, but i narrowed it down today on mine. i hate rattles, but there is no way that you can build something like a truck, and have NO rattles at all. those are the only two i have. i too have the engine sounds from hard acceleration, but its natural for that engine. my '97 explorer did it too, and my parents '99 explorer does it. dont you love how it feels like a turbo kicking in when you floor it at around 60 mph? amazingly fast for a little truck. again, let me know about your rattles if they find them. hope i helped you out.

#274 of 2986 Your advice please by jackka

Dec 01, 2001 (3:12 pm)

I'm considering replacing my '89 Toyota with a new Ranger equipped with 2WD, 4.0L, manual tranny.
 
Reliability is my main concern.
 
Will it be as reliable and maintenance free as my Toyota was.
 
No anti-toyota lectures, please; your candid observations about the Ranger will be much appreciated.

#275 of 2986 Just take any used or new car for a good test drive by midnight_stang

Dec 01, 2001 (3:27 pm)

...before purchase. That way you'll know if anything is out of wack, like highway vibrations, noises, or other mechanical problems. Turn the radio off, only test it in the parking lot... and keep your ears and senses open.
 
Rangers can last a good long time, given proper care. My 93 is still ticking away. Regular cab with 2.3l 4cylinder, and A4LD 4 speed automatic. I have 138 thousand miles, and the drivetrain is still under warranty... But that's because I use zmax. I have never had to take the valve cover off for maintenance or repair, and still get over 21 MPG in the city(slightly more if I remove the A/C belt during winter). I had this truck since I was 16, so you know it's seen it's share of abuse. I did replace the auto trans at about 115 thousand miles, but that's what you get for drop shifting it at 4000 RPM to do burn outs at the high school parking lot. Plus I never changed the trans filter till afterwards. Only other things replaced were was the Radiator waterpump and thermostat at about 125 thousand miles. Original alternator still powers my 650watt stereo system(I did upgrade battery to 1045 CCA). But I still get 5 quarts out with each oil change (no oil burning, rings still good) and still feel motivated to wax it because it's held up great over the years.
 
To sum up: Ford makes some of the toughest trucks around. As I've matured and been through a few mechanic jobs I know what to do to keep it running pretty much like it's new. And it's soo nice not having car payments for the past 4 years. Just be picky when buying, and do all you can preventative maintenance wise and you'll have a loyal dependable truck.

#276 of 2986 Metallic noises in drivers door by kbf2

Dec 02, 2001 (6:18 pm)

Drove me crazy. Tracked it down to a sticking lock which would ride up when the cab flexed and suddenly snap back into position producing the metallic noise. Lots of lubrication tried but the cure for me was to clean lock well and pack the lock with lithium white grease. Do not use WD-40 in the winter- it freezes! No reoccurances in 2.5 years. I put it down to close tolerances in the new lock. My passenger door also did the same to a lesser degree. Windy days also increased the noise frequency as the cab was buffeted by winds more and so the cab flexed more.

#277 of 2986 noises and rattles by longboarder

Dec 02, 2001 (6:50 pm)

Thanks for your resopnses. Picked my Ranger up from the dealer on Saturday and both the drive train ping and the door noise are still present. They fixed the headliner...but it came back after about 10 miles of driving, so I'm back to square one. I'll try out some of your suggestions.

#278 of 2986 Ranger Heater Problem by sunfish

Dec 03, 2001 (4:57 pm)

Earlier I posted a heater problem........ heat stays on high and cannot be adjusted.
  The local Ford dealer diagnosed it as a Blend Door problem ($75 to find this out), and tells me it will cost $625 to replace the Blend Door because the entire dash has to be dismantled. I am quaking at the thought of all the problems these guys will introduce by dismantling my truck.
 Ever hear of this problem?? Any tips?? I am trying to find out more about it or hope that God makes it start working again.
  Oh yeah....... Merry Christmas!!!!

#279 of 2986 Been here before by bobhoh

Dec 05, 2001 (7:55 am)

In February of this year I purchased a 1999 Ranger XLT extended cab with a manual transmission. I loved the look of the truck and bought it even though the shifting seemed a bit "notchy" in the lower gears when I went for a test drive. I thought that it would just take awhile to get used to the new shifting mechanism and the RPMs required to synchronize, but it is now December and I'm still having troubles getting the truck into the lower gears. I have always driven Ford manual transmission vehicles (1965 Mustang and 1988 Bronco II) and it has never taken me this long to get the shifting down. The Mazda dealer suggested that I put in a high-performance transmission fluid, but the Ford dealer refused and said it would not help anything and that there was absoutely nothing wrong with the truck, even though they only drove the thing around. I don't know who to trust on this and thought that maybe you guys could give me some advice. This is my first almost new car and it is still under warranty. The Ford folks will not do more than drive it - is that normal since taking out the transmission is such an undertaking?

#280 of 2986 Ranger Heater Problem - Good News by sunfish

Dec 08, 2001 (1:24 pm)

I found a lot of info on the Internet with regard to Ford Blend Door problems. Long-standing problem with an improved part designed in 97-98.
  I called Ford Customer Service and pleaded my case and asked for help in paying for the repair. (truck is out of warranty).
  The next day they agreed to pay half of the repair. Not bad and I thought it was pretty fair.
  Mileage on my 6cyl 3.0 is 20 in Summer and 18 in Winter.

Messages Page 28 of 299

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