I have a couple of questions.

When turn off the motor and pull out the key this "red" symbolized indicator starts flashing. It looks like a steering wheel with a lock on it. I looked it up in the owners manual but I'm not sure it gave me the information I was looking for.
It said that it was a passive anti-theft system. I don't know what that means.
Will this run down the battery?
Is this normal?

The second question is that the seat belt indicator keeps blinking on and off.
I have the seat belt, which is hard to get it to click, on. There's no "ding ding ding", like I'm not wearing it, just the blinking thing. It's driving me up the door panel.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Ron

 

Hi Ron,

You don't mention year of, or engine in, your Ranger, which is helpful for answers, also 2WD or 4x4

1999 and up V6 Rangers got PATS, Passive Anti-Theft System, this is not an alarm, it's part of the computer(PCM) software, PATS prevents fuel pump or fuel injectors from working if the wrong key is used to try and start the truck.
In later years starter motor was also disabled by PATS.

No, the slow flashing Anti-theft light will not run down the battery, it is to let thieves know the PATS is active and to pass on by, lol.


Seat belt reminder
Check the wires under/beside the drivers seat, probably a loose connection

You can also disable it by unbuckling and then rebuckling the seat belt after engine is running, but only disabled until key is off again

For permanent deactivation read here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...-minder-49364/

 

It's a 2002 2WD 4cyl. Short Bed.
Thanks for the reply and I will give that a try, along with some silicone spray for the reluctant seat belt to see if that makes it easier to click.
Thanks
Ron

 

2002 4cyl Ranger will have PATS, first year for the 4cylinders I believe

Rangers used the 2.3l SOHC LIMA 4cyl engines until 1997 then the 2.5l LIMA until mid-2001
In later 2001 Rangers got the 2.3l DOHC Duratec 4cyl engines, 2002 was first full year of the 2.3l Duratec in Rangers

Just a heads up if you Google: Ranger 2.3l or Ranger 4cyl
You will get BOTH engine types which will be misleading since the engines are totally different

The 2002 2.3l engine used an electric heated thermostat, which did go bad, and is expensive to replace, but you can use later model 2.3l non-electric thermostats

2002 2.3l also used IMRC, intake manifold runner control, if your engine starts to seem sluggish then IMRC controller probably has a vacuum hose that is leaking, simple fix just have to know about it, lol.
Later models didn't have IMRC

2.3l Duratec engine was designed for use in Front wheel drive(FWD) cars, so transverse mounted engine, side to side.
There is a coolant hose and fitting on the back of the head, which is easy to get to if engine is mounted sideways, but not so much if mounted in a Ranger, lol.
If you have to pull out the transmission for any reason, replace this hose and fitting.
They could leak and best to put in new than to wish you had if it starts to leak :)

The 2.3l Duratec is a very reliable engine, the above are just heads ups, and really the ONLY problems seen for these engines in a Ranger so very very short list

 

RonD,
I am so embarrassed. I had looked at so many trucks for sale I forgot which year model mine was. It's actually a 2004.
Which 4 cyl. engine would that one have?

Thanks,

Ron

 

I think it's the 2.3L I4 engine.
That's the only option the Owners Guide gives for a 4cyl.

Ron

 

2004 is the same 2.3l Duratec engine but didn't have IMRC or electric thermostat, so better year to have
2.3l Duratec was used until the end of the Ranger models in 2012

 

Thank you, RonD.
I appreciate it.

Ron

 

These were in the glove box.




Ron