Ok so I just bought this 98 ranger reg cab 2.5l 2wd manual about a week ago. Since then I have noticed that no matter how long I drive it for the coolant temp gauge never goes past the bottom line! I checked the coolant and it is full even tho a little dirty nothing major. I was wondering what it could be? Maybe the thermostat is stuck open? Maybe the temp sensor is bad? If so where is that located? Or maybe the gauge is bad? Any way to test that?

Any help would be great!

This pic was after driving for 15 minutes oh and I live in Florida so the coldest it has been is like 70 degrees

Attached Images

image-2952034773.jpg (6.0 KB, 73 views)

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98 Ranger 2.5L 5spd

The thermostat prob has failed. They fail open so your over cooling the engine. Most likely

Also could be the sensor. Get to replacing

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I don't know about that engine, but on my 4.0 there are 2 coolant temp sensors (technically one is called the "sender"). One sends the coolant temperature to the ECU for proper air/fuel mixture, the other sends the signal to your dashboard gauge.

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- Jay

1999 4.0L supercab. 4dr, 4x4, 5spd - All stock except some accessories and small upgrades to worn items.

Run through my no-heat troubleshooting guide to find the problem.
>>> http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-s...ing-guide.html <<<

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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

I had the same problem with my truck. It was benign, but it pissed me off because it would read cold after driving with the A/C on a 90° day.

I replaced the coolant temperature [B]sender[B] and it now works as it should Go to the library and get a manual to find out where the little guy is on your particular engine. Easy fix!

I have the same problem in my 96 3.0 V6 (manual tranny).

But also, the temp gauge fluctuates, it never goes uper than the lower line and after a while it moves ramdomly (up and down, just a couple of millimiters).

What do you suggest?
Replacing the thermostat and also the temp sender???

IMPORTANT!!!
Also in my truck, the COOLANT SENDER HAS ONLY ONE WIRE (black/white stripe) instead of two wires

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Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"

Does the heat get hot?

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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

I didnt get it pal

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Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"

i believe he's asking if the cabin heater is blowing hot air

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1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

ahhh, no no pal, its summer here, no warm air out of the HVAC.

but the heater wors fine, Ive already tryed it and it works perfectly

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Paysandú, Uruguay
1996 Reg. Cab Ford Ranger, V6 3.0L, 5 speed manual trans.

THAT AWESOME MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU CAN TAKE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT A JUSTIN BIEBER ALBUM, MULTIPLY IT BY 6 AND STILL DON`T GET TO REACH THE SELLINGS OF PINK FLOYD`S "DARK SIDE OF THE MOON"

If you replace that unit that the single wire plugs into, your gauge should work fine. That's exactly what my 2.3L Ranger was doing and after replacing the coolant temp sender, the needle rises into the "normal" range when I drive. That said, I don't think it's going to hurt anything if you just leave it the way it is, as I do not believe that sender tells the computer the temperature of the coolant, it only activates the gauge in the cab. It just bothered be to see my truck say "Cold" when I was driving on a 95° day with the AC on, because it wasn't working as it should.

I dont run my A/C or heater at all and have not tried it as the guy I bought it from said it doesnt work and said it needs an accumulator i think. There is a big black box in the rear of the engine bay on the passenger side. Not sure what it is but it doesnt look like it is working right or has been ghetto rigged at some point in its life. Any one know what this is or would it be my heater something. The a/c lines look like they go into it. I can try and snag a pic if no one knows what im talking about.

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98 Ranger 2.5L 5spd

hook up a scan tool and unplug the coolant temp sensor. the scan tool should read -40 if the wiring up to the sensor is good.

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HAD -93' xlt supercab, 5-speed, 4wd, k&n filter,cb, fog lights
HAD-2000 Ranger Xlt 3.slow V6 4wd K&N, gibson exhaust, cb, hid's, fog lights, backup lights, interior blue lights, kenwood sub & amp, push bar, t-bar crank, frf stickers, cab lights.
NOW-00' xlt reguglar cab, 5-speed, 2wd, coil springs, "rangeriee" as my girlfriend named it , red interior led lights, and much more planned for the future!

i had a verry similar problem in my 96 with the 2.3. i replaced the thermostat the sender and still it appeared to run cold so i fiddled around the circut board with inback of the guage cluster with my multi meter and found that the stepping motor that was showing engine tempreture had too much resistance, probably from years of use. i know if you'r reall good with a solder gun you can replace the stepping motor but otherwize as long as it produses hot air in the winter i dont think it'll affect much besides the angle of the needle

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96 xlt 2.3l 4cyl extended cab 2wd 5 speed no mods yet

hi guys, new poster here. does anyone have a ranger with 2 senders very close to each other? ie, not with one back by the oil filter? I think ford must have started putting them next to each other and plugging with receptacle back by the o.p. sender. I have a 97 xlt 2.3 with no temp reading at all. it has one sender near the housing of the thermostat that is connected to a green/red and grey/red wired grey plastic receptacle and a brown plastice receptacle with a black/white and red/white wire that is unconnected and zip tied out of the way. I believe a previous owner replaced some coolant hoses and left out one of the two probes required to get a temp reading. trying to solve this mystery. thanx