Hi everyone.

In this How-to I will show you what to do when you upgrade your cluster to newerer models (like Sportrack white/silver ones) and things dont work in the way they should.

These are the common issues:

1- temp gage
2- check engine light
3- door ajar light

lets begin:

1- TEMP GAGE: The problem is that older models (up to 98) uses a resistor on this gage motor, and newerer models wont have this resistor at the back. As a result, this gauge is not accurate and totally useless:


Temp gauge at "normal" temp: its way down, the normal temperature should be arround the half of the graphic scale

What you will need to do is to dissamble the cluster, remove the temp/gas gauges panel (left panel) and simply remove the 2 screws that holds this motor on place (T-10 Torx screwdriver). Once this motor is out, simply replace with your OLD MOTOR, WHICH SHOULD HAVE A RESISTOR IN THE BACK:


Original white/silver temp gauge motor: note theres no resistor at the back

Once the new motor is in place, simply put the needle back in place. Place it at the bottom if the truck is cold or simply let it idle for 10-15mins and place it at the normal temperature. YOURE DONE!

2, 3- CHECK ENGINE / DOOR AJAR LIGHTS: The problem is that the back circuit changed with the years. Simple, we are going to re-route this lights.

"Door Ajar" will light up as "CHECK FUEL CAP" and "check engine" will not light up

Reroute IN YOUR NEW WHITE/SILVER CLUSTER "CHECK FUEL CAP" TO "DOOR AJAR" AND THE BLIND LIGHT TO "CHECK ENGINE" JUST ABOVE "CHECK FUEL CAP"


Blind light to "check engine" reroute


"check fuel cap" to "door ajar" (in the middle of the cluster) reroute

Youre done! Now your lights and gauges will work the same way as your original cluster! Enjoy!!!

__________________
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"

great write up. i did this with my door ajar light.

__________________
1997 Ranger XLT
4.0 4X4 Lotta Mods.

2001 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. 4.6 V8

Thanks man... this is helpfull for all the "oldies" owners, like us

is the spelling correct????

__________________
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"

The resistor can also be removed from the old gauge and placed on the new gauge. It just slips on. Doing this would save having to reset the needle

__________________
Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install

interesting and clever... never though of that!!!

__________________
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"

another thing I did way back when, was I cut the door ajar from the cluster. Moved it to the right spot (or the light that powes up. The bezel that covers the cluster will cover the "cut disc" spots, so it will look factory

__________________
Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install

this wont work on a 93 will it?

__________________
93 FORD RANGER XLT 4.0L OHV 2WD 3.73 GEARS 7.5" LIMITED SLIP AXLE
FLOWMASTER 40 SERIES,10000K HID KIT,ANTENNA DELETE MOD,EXPLORER DOME MOD, 98 SIDE MIRROR ,06+ TAIL GATE,06+ TAIL LIGHTS,01 BUMPER MOD,4/4 DJM STATIC DROP

mmm, no pal... 95 up

__________________
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'm trying to understand exactly what it is u did here OP. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. Neither am i the dullest. But u glazed over parts of ur writeup. Specifically regarding the long wire which u used to "turn on" the CEL. 1) How did u connect them? And 2)what is the blind light? Reason i ask is cuz i cant seem to find an exact replacement tachless gauge for my 96. So i went to a jy & picked up a 95 4x4 auto gauge w/tach. All lights work as normal except the CEL. It doesn't come on at startup. As a result, i cant pass smog. Considering its a 95 gauge, everything really should work...

__________________
Red 1996 2.3 Flare-side
Manual Tranny.
Totalled Gold 1999 2.5 for parts.

what kind of wire is that you use to reroute the those with...

__________________
95 reg cab ranger 2.3 liter 5 speed 2x4 truck 4.10 gears turbocharged soon....

mods: 31 inch tires, explorer rims, flipped shackles, explorer gauge cluster,explorer OHC, Explorer leather bucket seats, Explorer full length console, ultragauge, touch screen radio, 10" kicker sub, kicker amp, 5 % rear tint, 35% front tint, black billet grill,color matched exterior, black chrome headlights, black tool box, line x, smoked brake light and taillights,

Do you want me to tell you the truth?:
The wires came from an old Panasonic VHS I have here

Nothing special... its a low voltage lamp, just solder it nicely to the bulb holder and youre done!

__________________
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"

Is there any way to rewire the plug to avoid having to mod the cluster?

i guess, but its much complicated to reroute the plug

__________________
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"

Ok I have this issue and think it will fix my issue but I am not quite understanding the jumper wire deal. Can I see some more detailed pics or Anyone in the USA know how to do this that willing to set my cluster up for me Ill pay SH??

__________________
1996 Ford Ranger
2wd 2.3l
Stock

damn man... your truck looks very very similar to mine!!!!!

__________________
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"