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03-15-2010, 01:01 PM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
Hi all,
My friend DaveO owns a 93 Ford Ranger and it has really baffled me twice. I found the solution to the clutch bleeding nightmare, but have not found one to the no heat problem, yet.
here's the story:
The truck used to heat just fine, then the heat stopped working 2 years ago. The engine temp gage also rarely gets above cold, except while idling. While it is idling, the hose leading to the heater core gets warm. the return pipe is cool. As soon as the truck gets moving, the temp gage cools down and the heater core hose cools down. Even if there is cardboard in front of the radiator, the engine temp gage stays relatively cool and the heater core hose gets only warmish, not hot. It's too long ago to remember if any work had been done that coincided with the loss of the heat in the first place. I have read that this problem is not uncommon, but have notread a definite fix yet.
We replaced the thermostat, water pump, flushed the system and the heater core. We also put the new thermostat in a pot of water and heated it while a thermometer was in there to make sure it opened and closed at the proper temps. It did. I spent a lot of time scratching my head, restricting flow in the hoses and putting cardboard in front of the radiator, all to little avail.
In reality, though, the heat used to work fine, so no "modifications" or restrictions or cardboard are necessary for the heat to work.
I'm going to begin to work on it again this week. If there are new answers to this dilemma, I'd LOVE to hear them.
The radiator needs replacing first and we've bought a ford water pump and thermostat and will be checking them against the ones we installed. After that, I'll try to burp it very carefully with the front end up on ramps. Other than that, though, I am at (and have been at) a COMPLETE loss as to what is happening.
I have heard mention of a valve that could be stuck closed, but I don't see one in the engine compartment and there did not seem to be any restriction in either direction while i was flushing the heater core with water and air.
I have heard it is important that the incoming water hose to the heater core be attached to the bottom, not the top. From what I remember, his hot water goes in the top. Is there agreement on that?
A couple of questions first:
Is the sensor that is in-line in the heater core hose the one that operates the engine temp gage on the instrument panel? If so, the engine could be running at a good operating temp, but if the water wasn't be flowing through the heater core much and it would produce an artificially low temp reading cause the hot water wasn't flowing past the sensor. But why isn't it flowing?
Gaaaah. i sure hope someone has figured this out once and for all.
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05-10-2010, 04:54 PM
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ForD tRucKin
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 15
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
one try the thermostat if not that try the water pump. i had that same problem and i started at the thermostat then the water pump it was my water pump not pushing the water the way it should. but if the radiator is original change that too. because mine went right after i replaced that. then flush the system out. and refill with fresh antifreeze.
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05-11-2010, 06:34 AM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
Thanks for the suggestion. In my OP, I mentioned that we had already replaced the water pump and thermostat. Back in March, after I posted, I went in to change the timing belt and the leaking radiator, so while I was in there I re-replaced the water pump and the thermostat. I burped it bery carefully with teh front end way up and the engine revved high. A lot of air came out.
Sadly, though, it still doesn't heat.
I keep hearing about the "blend door." I guess I'll look at it next, prolly when it gets cold out again. I have my doubts that that is the problem, though, as the hoses to the heater core don't seem to be hot enough.
We are still completely baffled.
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05-11-2010, 08:09 AM
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Tank Diver
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,129
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
It could be a two fold problem. A bad temp sensor and a plugged heater core. When you did the flush, was the heater controls set to full hot? Have you tried running water through one diconnected heater hose to see if water comes out the other?
The by pass doors could also be the problem. I believe they are vacuum operated. It is possible you have a leak or a door is stuck.
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Sgtsandman's Work in Progress
2011 Ranger XLT, 4X4, 4 door Super Cab. 4.0L, 5 Speed M50D-R1HD, 3.73:1, 8.8" open differential, Jason Pace cap
2019 Ford Ranger STX FX4, Super Crew, 2.3L Ecoboost, 10 speed automatic, 3.73:1 with rear locker, Leer 100XR cap
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05-11-2010, 08:51 AM
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Ford Tough
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 325
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
I am leaning toward the temp sensor.
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(SOLD) 2003 Ranger 4.0L V6 FX4
2001 F150 Supercrew Triton V8 (DD)
2008 Fusion 3.0L SEL V6 (my baby)
1992 Taurus SHO MTX (my toy-almost Supercharged)
2004 Nissan Murano SL AWD (Wife's car)
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05-12-2010, 07:40 AM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
In the OP I mentioned that we flushed the whole system including the heater core. I did not mention that the core was plugged up with a lot of junk and that after clearing, it ran freely.
Also in the OP I mentioned that the engine temp sensor does work and the gage does work and that the temp gage runs very cool. What i did not mention is that when one of the radiator hoses in pinched nearly shut, the temp gage rises and the heat does flow to the heater core and the heat does work inside.
The symptoms make me think that the truck is running magically cool.
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05-12-2010, 07:44 AM
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Blinded by the light
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
You mention the temp gauge does not climb above cold. This indicates the problem is not the heater core. The entire system is not warming up. The only way that happens is if the t-stat is not closing. I'd swap it again.
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05-12-2010, 06:53 PM
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ForD tRucKin
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 15
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
i dont think it will be a thermostat due to my truck dont reads thats it cool all the time also. but i have heat. due to my change in the water pump. it could be a plugged heater core. cause i was told that about my truck. i would look into that. i no mine will have to be changed out soon its looking rough.
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05-13-2010, 06:56 AM
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Blinded by the light
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
I'm refering to the original poster with his problem. It is without a doubt a thermostat problem. The only thing that could make it more obvious is a sign hanging off it that says "I'm a thermostat and I'm broke". I realize he already replaced it, but it clearly didn't work. Either it is the wrong one or the new is failed out of the box.
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01-13-2011, 10:46 PM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
My 2005 4x4 Ranger does almost the same thing now..The heat works inside but it is not as warm as it was previosuly. The heat Gauge barely gets above cold. It warms up quick but then the gauge then drops a little after driving more. Rangerrick
My friend DaveO owns a 93 Ford Ranger and it has really baffled me twice. I found the solution to the clutch bleeding nightmare, but have not found one to the no heat problem, yet.
here's the story:
The truck used to heat just fine, then the heat stopped working 2 years ago. The engine temp gage also rarely gets above cold, except while idling. While it is idling, the hose leading to the heater core gets warm. the return pipe is cool. As soon as the truck gets moving, the temp gage cools down and the heater core hose cools down. Even if there is cardboard in front of the radiator, the engine temp gage stays relatively cool and the heater core hose gets only warmish, not hot. It's too long ago to remember if any work had been done that coincided with the loss of the heat in the first place. I have read that this problem is not uncommon, but have notread a definite fix yet.
We replaced the thermostat, water pump, flushed the system and the heater core. We also put the new thermostat in a pot of water and heated it while a thermometer was in there to make sure it opened and closed at the proper temps. It did. I spent a lot of time scratching my head, restricting flow in the hoses and putting cardboard in front of the radiator, all to little avail.
In reality, though, the heat used to work fine, so no "modifications" or restrictions or cardboard are necessary for the heat to work.
I'm going to begin to work on it again this week. If there are new answers to this dilemma, I'd LOVE to hear them.
The radiator needs replacing first and we've bought a ford water pump and thermostat and will be checking them against the ones we installed. After that, I'll try to burp it very carefully with the front end up on ramps. Other than that, though, I am at (and have been at) a COMPLETE loss as to what is happening.
I have heard mention of a valve that could be stuck closed, but I don't see one in the engine compartment and there did not seem to be any restriction in either direction while i was flushing the heater core with water and air.
I have heard it is important that the incoming water hose to the heater core be attached to the bottom, not the top. From what I remember, his hot water goes in the top. Is there agreement on that?
A couple of questions first:
Is the sensor that is in-line in the heater core hose the one that operates the engine temp gage on the instrument panel? If so, the engine could be running at a good operating temp, but if the water wasn't be flowing through the heater core much and it would produce an artificially low temp reading cause the hot water wasn't flowing past the sensor. But why isn't it flowing?
Gaaaah. i sure hope someone has figured this out once and for all.[/QUOTE]
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My 2005 4x4 Ranger does almost the same thing now..The heat works inside but it is not as warm as it was previosuly. The heat Gauge barely gets above cold. It warms up quick but then the gauge then drops a little after driving more. Rangerrick
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01-14-2011, 04:46 AM
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Blinded by the light
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
Quote:
Originally Posted by rangerrick1201
My 2005 4x4 Ranger does almost the same thing now..The heat works inside but it is not as warm as it was previosuly. The heat Gauge barely gets above cold. It warms up quick but then the gauge then drops a little after driving more. Rangerrick
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Ok. Did you read the rest of this which explains why and what to replace?
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01-14-2011, 07:51 AM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 6
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
Update on the Ford Ranger. a very reputable local shop decided to re-re-replace the thermostat. they found that:
1. The thermostat that I installed was both incorrect and was now partially stuck open. (They needed to look up engine code or VIN to get the correct one.)
2. replacing it made the truck heat a little better, but it is still not adequate.
The mystery continues.
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01-14-2011, 08:32 AM
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5.Oh All the way
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,603
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
like mentioned above it may be a few problems. the thermostat half fixed it.
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2014 F150 SuperCrew XLT 4x4
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01-24-2011, 08:29 PM
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Learning to use the forums
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 5
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
Any luck yet? I have the exact symptoms. You mentioned the radiator hose when squeezed would cause the heat to work. What if you replaced the hose?
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01-24-2011, 09:19 PM
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Like the Forums
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 33
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Re: 93 Ranger doesn't heat anymore
Not a hose. Recheck the heater core hoses & if one is hot & one is cool then the core could have stopped up again.(may need to reflush) Also check the blend door. I also had a truck that came into my shop for the same thing as the engine would get hot & cold, The heater would only get hot when the guage on the dash showed hot & when it went fluctuated back cooler the heater was cold. (end result) Small head gasket leak.But of course he was also loosing coolant over time of a couple of days.
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