2003 Ranger 4x2 Tremor - 3.0
The oil is full and clean and now it's got a tic on the passenger side. Haven't pinpointed the tic nor started any other checks.
I've read some articles about the #2 cylinder plug, wire, coil pack, injector, etc. I read ONE other that talked about faulty factory heads on 2004 -2009(?) models described in a maintenance bulletin. Of course, replacing the heads would be on par with my lot in life. I didn't see any other threads exactly like this, so I'm curious whether anyone else has dealt with it before I get to digging.

Thanks for your time!

 

Welcome to the forum

There would be A LOT OF TICKS if oil pressure was low....or 0, so its the oil pressure sender on the engine thats not working
Just behind passenger side head on the block near bell housing is the Oil Pressure Switch, common failure on 3.0l, or.........its unplugged

Picture here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/attach...h-dscn0413.jpg
That's a 3.0l engine out of the truck and on an engine stand, so looking at the back of the engine
In the center is the Cam sensor on top of cam synchronizer
Just to the right is the oil pressure sender, with white connector, behind passenger side head


Misfires can just be spark plug or coil, so lets not plan a rebuild just yet, lol
Swap around spark plugs 1 and 2, have a look at #2 first could have cracked electrode or ??
Clear codes then see if P0302 comes back, or if it changes to P0301

And it was 2004-2006 Ranger 3.0ls that had the TSB about misfires and recessed exhaust valve issues

 

You're not going to believe this. I went out to look it over with cup of coffee in hand (it was too dark and I was too tired last night), and lo and behold the #2 plug wire was just dangling there, disconnected! Plug was tight and in good condition, the wire looked good, so I just reconnected it. Ticking is gone, oil pressure is good and she's purring just like the sweetheart she's always been!
I cleared the code and ran it again - nothing. The only mystery that remains is, how in the world could that boot have become disconnected?

 

Tick was the arcing of the spark, end of spark plug wire must have been near a metal part of the engine
If it wasn't pushed on tight then it will arc inside the boot which heats up the air inside the boot and it pushes the boot off

But this wouldn't explain the oil pressure gauge showing low or 0, that's unrelated

 

Yeah, it finally clicked with me this morning on the test drive that the ticking was coming from the boot. I guess the real mystery is the oil pressure guage. It reads fine now but showed 0 last night. Could it be that it was driven about 15 miles with the wire off?

 

No, there is no connection between spark and the oil pressure system/circuit, they are unrelated issues

 

Curious the misfire and oil pressure guage reading occurred at the same time, although I know it's not impossible. I will keep my eye on the guage. Thanks for your input!

 

Coincidence is the Mother of misinformation..................lol