I have a 2006 Ford Ranger, 3.0L with only 31,500 miles on it. I was wondering if anyone had any problems with the inertia switch? Today I drove 11 miles to work, stopped and unlocked the gate, then stopped and unlocked the fuel pump where we fuel up, stopped and got out again, again leaving it running, came back to pu and it had died. It would spin and sounded like it tried to hit but never did. Finally, another co worker showed up and ended up pushing the button on the inertia switch and it started right up. Never had any problem coming home this evening? So has anyone had to replace the switch? I understand the inertia switch is for in case you impact something or something impacts you. I never hit anything. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance for any help anyone may give.

I had a similar problem with my 2006 Ranger XLT. My wife drove it to the bank, parked, and could not start when she came back out. No accident or shock of any kind. I had the car towed to the Autoway Ford dealer where I bought it and they told me they could not guarantee that it would not trip out again if they reset it. They charged me $318.61 to replace it. When I got the bad part I was angry that they had ripped me off so badly, as it is designed to be reset by pushing the button.

Can anyone tell me where this switch is located in a 2006 Ranger so I will know where to look the next time it fails? I have seen several different tales of this switch failing when I google "Ford" and "inertia switch."

I have a 98 and it is located on the passenger side panel.

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05 Mitsubishi Lancer LS
17 Mazda CX-3
03 Ford Ranger XL - SOLD!
01 Honda Civic LX - SOLD!

Check this out : http://www.fordrangerforum.com/4-cyl...ff-switch.html

Mine is a 2005 so your 06 should be in a similar spot.

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CURRENT: 2015 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport

some if them trip sometimes for no reason. im not sure if its worth replacing or not though. the one in my old 86 would trip if the passenger hit it with there foot.

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Thanks Drew. Yours does not have an aluminum cover over it. They added a cover sometime recently because they replaced that as well. Given that it is so easy to locate, I'm angry that they charged me $170 labor to remove and replace! Ford is not winning any customer loyalty with these designs and rip-offs!

If it trips once for no reason, reset it and pretend it never happened. If it trips again for no reason, buy a new switch and replace it. Dirt cheap. Easy. Plug-n-Play. Do not take that to the dealer.

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(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

on the 2006 ranger the switch is located behind the air conditioning panels on the firewall, about in the center of the glove box... i have the same problem in mine, my gf tripped mine by bumping the parallel parking pole, my buddy keeps tripping it w/ his feet, i've even tripped it once, so i just keep resetting it and keep on trucking

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Niche 17x8 rims, turn signal mod, painted side mirror ohc, full length explorer console, eatc, auto dim mirror, kicker components, sido exhaust, painted headlight, nightshaded tails,
Can you do the three pedal two step? I know iim can...

I have a 2005 edge pkg. Mine caused me fits, it was going off after about 2 miles of driving then it would stall me out every block. Other forums have extensive info on this switch. it should be a recall, Ford knows it but refuses to recall it. It has caused many people grief and injury when it stalls the truck in busy traffic conditions. I took mine to the shop that told me it was a fuel pump. They wanted 750.00 to replace the pump. the codes said it was a short in the fuel pump wiring. Sure enough was. I took it home after not paying for the fuel pump. I pulled the tape off of the wiring to the switch and found charred wiring and plastic. My wife and I drove it around the neighborhood and found that the wires heating up very fast and then it would die. Other forums talk about fords replacement part and what they have done is sell you an new part with a suggested new location and the part they sell is the same crappy, defective part with longer wires. This switch is a problem for tons of rangers. Some people have changed fuel pumps many times and been told by ford and by shops that the pumps were all bad. When in reality, all you have to do is remove the switch, twist the wires together, tape them up good and forget the problem. I have driven for many weeks after this without a problem. And guess what,,, I have saved hundreds of dollars .

that will be my first mod when i pick up my ranger in 2 weeks

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'02 Ranger Supercab, 4.0l, 4x4
Magnaflow catback duals, SB cold air intake
16" Bridgestone Blizzaks, Bilstein HD's

http://kenoconnorracing.com/ for all your 2 & 4 stroke engine atv/bike/sled/jetski needs !!!!
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If you have not/did not assasinate them vai a local customer service website (e.g-Yelp.com), or by filing a complaint with the BBB in your area, you seriously need to do so. Yourself, and others, need not suffer the same unjustice you did with those creeps at the dealership.

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$170.00? Ouch!

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Cree Proverb

~Draw me not without reason, Sheath me not without honor~ 17th century swordmaker Gallegos

~1994 Ford Ranger 2.3L 4-Banger 217, 000+miles~

Ummm. Exaggerate a bit?

__________________
(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

My 2005 Ranger is giving me problems with the inertia switch. Two weeks ago I was stranded in a parking lot because it wouldn't start. Had it towed to a dealer who reset the switch and showed me the location of the switch in case it happens again. Today the truck stalled out in traffic, and I had to get out and reset the switch, as it can't be reached from the driver's seat. Supposedly this switch is a safety feature but I think it is far more dangerous to be stalling out in traffic.

I want to do as you suggested, remove switch and twist the wires together. I looked at the switch and saw taped wiring going to it, but no obvious connector. Are there just two wires? Should I cut them with wire cutters where they go into the switch, then twist them together? What do you recommend?

No. You need to replace your broken switch with a new one. Do not splice the wires together.

[Posted with my Android mobile device using Tapatalk Pro]

__________________
(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide

This inertia switch is mechanical, resembling a 19th century clockwork mechanism, which is susceptible to shock and vibration. A properly designed switch would consist of an accelerometer and circuitry to open a relay when it senses a force of at least a few g's, as would occur in a crash. As it is, the switch poses a greater danger, stalling in traffic, than the possibility of fuel spillage in an accident it is supposed to prevent.