Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Post by **DuckRyder** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 7:12 pm

Working on a family members Ranger, it is a 2002 (I think) 3.0l.

The oil pressure gauge is fluctuating rapidly between midpoint and the bottom of the range, anyone aware of a common failed part (thinking sender?).

It is fluctuating too rapidly to be actual oil pressure in my opinion and I think this "gauge" is more like an idiot light with a needle...

Will dive into it tomorrow but if anyone knows of a common issue on these I'd love to hear about it.

Post by **DuckRyder** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 6:59 am

To confirm, it is a 2002.

Also, door locks spontaneously lock/unlock...

Heirloom · Post by **Heirloom** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:37 am

I've read that the gauge it's self has issues. I believe it has to do with it's internal voltage regulation. On our trucks we have the cluster voltage regulator, an easy to change part that regulates for the whole cluster. In the newer Fords, each gauge has it's own. Swapping the sender MIGHT help for a little while if the problem is actually the gauge. Ford Service Techs are knowledgeable on this issue.

Good luck!

EDIT: On the door lock issue, is there clicking coming from behind the dash when it happens? What exactly happens? Do the locks go up and down repeatedly? Search VSM problems.

Post by **DuckRyder** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 11:41 am

I'm reading that this is an idiot gauge, meaning it is designed to go to the middle of the range when the pressure is above 7psi. which is how it acts when its not swinging like a vacuum gauge with a roller cam....

I'm also reading that there is a less common problem with cold solder joints on the gauge, most of what I am finding seems to indicate the sender will likely fix it. Guess we will see...

I found several threads on door locks similar to:

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/electric ... elves.html

However my truck does not have the connector/fuse box mentioned in that thread and several like it...

To answer exactly what its doing, i'm unsure... if you leave it unlocked, you may come back to find it locked... presumably the reverse would also be possible but I don't know that anyone has ever actually caught it...

Post by **Ranchero50** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 12:38 pm

A 'T' fitting with a gauge would answer a lot of questions about the oil pressure.

Post by **DuckRyder** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 3:46 pm

I'm not concerned about the actual oil pressure, it has oil pressure... and I don't think a "T" fitting would fit...

The sender seems to have fixed it knock on wood, it was a little intermittent but I've run it long enough to think it would have acted up by now.

Now onto door locks... and tires...

Post by **DuckRyder** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 5:57 pm

Oh and i'm finding two forums that look decent for ranger's anyone have a reccomendation?

Post by **DuckRyder** » Wed Oct 22, 2014 9:57 am

Ok more information: it has been caught both cycling once and cycling multiple times... the driver did not note any lights or noises other than the doors locking, but that doesn't mean there were not any...

I've given the truck back, considering there isn't a lot to go on, but if some one has ideas I can get it back at any point.

The FORDification.com Forums

Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L oil pressure (sender maybe?)

Re: Ford Ranger 3.0L fantom door locking