I am new to the forum and I hope you can help me out.I have a 2001 Ranger Edge 4x4.This morning I started my truck to head out to work and the oil pressure gauge did not move and the "check dash gauges" light came on.I immediately turned it off and checked under the hood.Everything looked good so I started the engine again and the oil gauge worked properly so I went on to work and didn't have any other problems with the gauge.After work I started the truck and once again the gauge didn't move.I tapped lightly on the gas pedal and the gauge started working again and worked fine the rest of the evening.I am thinking that this is some sort of electrical problem and not an actual oil pump problem.The truck only has about 16,000 miles on it and I have taken very good care of it.Have any of you heard of this type of problem or is it something common to this truck?Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank's Gary

 

I would have to say from experience that you should check you oil sending unit. It is a bolt looking thing with wire's coming out of it that is on the front drivers side of the engine block. Mine went on me but only after 80,000 miles. If any oil comes out then that is prolly your culprit, could have gotten a faulty one from the dealer. They are somewhat inexpensive if I remember right. Good Luck, Blades

 

I would bet that itz the sender too. The gauge is actually a dummy guage and will register good pressure or no pressure. Mine went at about 55k. Best bet is to swap it out. It cost me like 10 bucks.

 

Thanks for the advise guys.The gauge is still acting up, off and on.I looked on the engine for the sending unit but I haven't found it yet.Will keep looking.Can the sending unit be changed with the oil in the engine or does it have to be drained?Thanks again for the help.I really appreciate it. Gary

 

Assuming that you have a 4.0L, it is on the driver side of the block below the A/C compressor. Look for a dark green/white wire. You can change it without draining the oil. It will just drool a little.

 

Thanks Bob I will check it out.I will post on this when I get it changed.Hopefully this will fix it. Gary

 

Now if you get an aftermarket oil pressure gauge will it replace that sending unit with a new one or does it go somewhere else?

 

Definatly a common problem with Rangers in the cooler months. Mine would do that on cold mornings too. Nothing to worry about, just a couple bucks to replace. I believe mine was around $10 CAN.

Just another Ranger quirk.

 

Hello,I just got done changing the switch and so far it seems to be working.I started it several times and it worked properly.The switch was $12.00 and was made in U.S.A.I just know that the first time it malfunctioned,it scared me to death thinking that the oil pump had gone out.I read somewhere that if the oil pump would go out that the computer would shut down the engine.Does anyone know if that is true?Thanks to all of you that helped me out with advice on this problem.It's greatly appreciated. Gary

 

Mine is now doing the same thing your truck did. This is the third 4.0 v6 Ranger I've had and all 3 have had the oil pressure switch go out somewhere over 100,000 miles. I was beginning to wonder if it has anything to do with using Castrol Syntec blend 10w-40 motor oil.

 

No, it won't. It's up to you to shut it off. Your 01 Ranger has a "gauge" and a Check Gage light to warn you of low pressure/no pressure.

 

it replaces the factory sender.. im runnin a autometer gauge for oil pressure

 

My truck has always had Castol Syntec in it, but it only has a little over 16,000 miles.Sounds more like a faulty part imo. Gary

 

Cut the wire off the sending unit and ground it. problem solved thats what I did and i just intalled a mechanical one