1997 Ford Ranger: check engine light

Filed Sep 23, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 35,990 miles · CA

Ford ranger 4x4 xlt 4.0l has had problems from the beginning front tires two out , fog lights, air conditioning, transmission shift points , check engine light when new and to this day gas mileage not as stated on window sticker ,also windows motor and controls

Filed Jun 14, 2017 · Engine, Lights · MD

The dome light started turning itself on while parked in front of my house. Sometimes it would turn itself back off. It would also turn on while I was driving at night. I couldn't get the light cover off so I pulled the fuse which leaves me with no windshield washer squirter. The check engine light is always on. No mater what is done or fixed, the light stays on which is a problem because cars will usually automatically fail inspection when the check engine light is on. How am I supposed to get it to pass inspection if its on 90% of the time? I never had a problem with my 93 ranger but other people with rangers have had the same issues & this site shows others with the same issues. Why won't ford recall & fix it when its a known problem? These things are safety issues!! I can't add when these things happen because they are ongoing issues for the last tenish years!

Filed Apr 14, 2009 · Engine, Seats · 59,099 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford ranger. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicator remained lit until the engine was turned off. When the speed was reduced, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. On a separate occasion, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a transmission shop for inspection and the transmission was re-built replaced. The failure mileage was 59,099 and the current mileage is 126,431. Updated 05/08/09 *bf the engine light illuminated and the seat broke loose. Updated 05/12/09.*jb updated 06/09/09.

Filed May 23, 2004 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · TX

1) the vehicle is a 1997 ford ranger xlt extended cab pickup. A couple of years ago my wife complained about smelling gasoline when she filled the vehicle with gasoline. On more than one occasion gasoline was observed dripping from the area under the fuel tank after the vehicle was filled with gasoline. This would have been in the 2001-2002 time frame. *ak 2) in late april of this year 2004, the check engine warning dashboard warning light came on, and I had the computer code checked to determine if I could make the repairs myself. The problem was the fuel filter, and when I replaced it I noticed a great deal of dirt and debris coming from the inlet side of the filter. This indicated to me that the fuel tank was probably contaminated, and I removed the tank saturday, may 15, to clean the tank. Prior to reinstalling the tank, I examined the gasoline filler tube, and found three cracks in the vapor recovery tube that vents gasoline vapors to the filling station vapor recovery system. One of these cracks was quite large, and showed indications of gasoline leaking from this crack. Not only was the crack the source of the gasoline that leaked from the system, it was also the entry point for the debris and moisture I found in the tank. In addition, the gasoline that ran from the crack in the recovery tube accumulated in a plastic skid plate that is located under the tank. 3) I of course replace the tube assembly, at a cost of $262.29. I contacted ford motor company about the problem and for reimbursement for the replacement parts. They didn't seem to be the least bit interest in the problem and refused to compensate the expenses. I have retained the old part, and have several photos of the defect.

Filed Dec 26, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · OH

A few things here, engine light comes on and goes off at random. Had it checked a few times. No problems found. Dome light/door chime will not go off when door is shut and/or car is turned on. Left hand blinker went nuts a few time, basicly it was blinking at a very high rate of speed. A few second 'power loss' happend a few times while driving, lost power to raido, and lights. The rear end bounces way too much when I hit a bump, can cause loss of control at highway speeds.

Filed May 24, 2003 · Airbags, Brakes · MS · crash · fire · 1 injury

1997 ford ranger xlt extended cab. When I applied my brakes, instead of stopping at this "t" hwy intersection, I ran past it, and hit a 12" diameter tree head on. Ice on the road. I was wearing my seat belt. Neither the driver's side nor the passenger side air bags deployed. The indentation on the front bumper was over two feet deep. My head and right side of my body smashed against the steering wheel, and my I broke my left collar bone, fractured and bruised several ribs on my right side, broke my right foot heel bone, cut my nose, plus numerous other minor cuts, bruises and abrasions. After about 45 seconds, a huge ball of fire erupted from under the crumpled hood. I felt the sudden heat on my face, since the windshield was gone and there was a huge gap between the hood and the trucks body. A lady, an angel of god really, helped me out of the truck and into the back seat of her car. She drove about 100 yards to wait for the ambulance to arrive. Before we came to a stop, I heard the two front tires of my truck blow up. All I could see was a ball of fire burning about 20 feet high. Two things seem technically wrong: the air bags didn't deploy, and the fuel pump must have kept pumping fuel, for the fire to spread so rapidly and burn the front of the truck so very completely. This would seem to indicate the possible failure of the air bag crash sensors and the fuel pump safety cutoff switch. My tires were one month old michelins, so they weren't a factor. The truck was in excellent shape and it was carefully maintained and garaged. Everything worked on it and no malfunction indicator lights of any kind were on prior to the accident. I have very good maintenance records on it. I contacted ford by telephone and via e-mail, to let them know of what I thought could be a potential component defect affecting others also. I also contacted their legal office via phone, and they never returned my call.