Hello all,i'm new here and havent had much time to navigate around yet,looks like a great resource.The problem that I have appears to be either a malfunctioning temp gauge or sensor,or possibly a stuck thermostat.The gauge does not read above the "cool" mark even after the engine is warmed up.(half hour of freeway driving,moderate outside temp) This just appears to have started since Friday,before it worked normally.The gage appears to work since the temp rises slightly when I am idling,but not to where it used to,about in the middle of the gauge.I have not worked on the cooling system recently.Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.I am looking for a 2002 workshop manual to buy if someone can help with that.
Thanks, Jim McGuinness

You might replace your thermastat like you said. If the thermastat is stuck it would stay open and never let close when the engine is cold. The good news is thermastats are easy to repalce and cheap to buy. Like $4.

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2004 Ford Ranger, 2WD, 5 Speed, 2.3 4 cylinder, stock.

Hello all, thanks for the replies.Unfortunately, I have the engine that the thermostat lists at $230.00. It is part of a housing assembly that mounts to the side of the engine down by the lower hose.I had a tough time even finding the location since even the local dealer doesnt have an exploded view of it on their computer.Jim

save yourself a load of missery and replace the electronic body module.

OP, did you replace the thermostat?

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

yes they initially replcaed the thermo , temp sending units and even replaced the cluster. nothing worked until they replaced the electronic body module

Where is the location of this electronic body module? What does it look like? Thanks.

sounds just like the thermostat is stuck open. dont mean to jack your thread but did you say a thermostat for your vehicle ran $230? bear with me as this is the first ford i ever owned but i must be missing something here.

The thermostat is built into a housing with the sensor is the reason it is so expensive.

Yeap. I think some guy from the forum found a great deal on ebay. IIRC, it was for 60 bucks.

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

This is one of these "what were they thinking!" when they designed it.
Are all 2.3L thermostats made that way?
I sure hope mine last a very long time if that is the case.

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2010 Silver Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L 2WD StyleSide Reg Cab Auto, Open 7.5" - 4.10 diff.
TruxEdo tonneua cover, rubber bed mat, Ranger all weather floor mats.

I think all of the 2.3 Duratec have a tstat housing.

Mine is the original one. Last year, I removed the tstat and sanded it with a small wire brush and it started working just fine. You can remove the tstat from the housing (like I did, and it can be a pita). Ford won't sell you just the tstat.

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

gota agree with you tensilver on the "what were they thinking"
just looked it up for my new 1997 2.3. musta been early enough model as mine is replaceable with a 1 year warranty for just over $10.

Ford states 01 to 05 have this tstat as well as some Focus cars.

Any info on this mysterious "electronic body module"?

Ford ended this special thermostat in 05 or 06 and replaced it with simple thermostats, to bad they missed the boat and didn't offer a fix for 02-05 models. :bastards:

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Regards

Rick
2002 Ranger (Base)
2.3, 2wd, auto