Picked up a '96 Ranger the other day, and the temperature gauge doesn't work. The needle is dropped down past the C, and replacing the sending unit as well as the thermostat didn't do anything. I also tried grounding out the wire from the sending unit and it didn't make the needle move at all. Does it sound like the gauge itself is shot? If it is, can I buy an instrument cluster and replace the temp gauge (and gas gauge if necessary; that area anyway) instead of trying to find an instrument cluster with around the same miles? Is there anything else I can try before attempting that?

 

It is very possible to pull the gauge segment that holds the temp gauge from a compatible cluster and swap it into yours. Gently pry it out and plug it in. Easy.

 

is the connection right at the sensor clean mine didnt work for the longest time and i cleaned that connection really well and that solved the problems

 

The sensor itself is clean as it is brand new. The "one wire" connector may be dirty but I would think that removing it and putting it back on the sensor would keep the connections clean; I will try cleaning it out good, though.

 

I took the dash apart last night - I can now definitely say that the hardest part is getting the dash out in the first place. Are there any tutorials for swapping these out, or does it really just pull out of the front? What connects it to the circuit board?

 

There are 2 or 3 large pins on the back of each of the small gauges. They serve as both mounting points and electrical connectors. Gently work the pins on the two gauges from their sockets in the cluster body and the 2-gauge segment will come right out.

 

Great, thank you very much. I can assume that when I swap that out, the gas gauge will come up to where it was on the old set, correct (and the temp gauge will work again, hopefully)?

 

double post

 

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't.

 

Just had the same issue in my ranger. I bought the coolant sender switch (the sensor with one wire). Upon going to take the old one out I noticed the wire was Worn out and exposing the copper inside. I ordered a new wire and now it’s back to normal.