I have a 2001 2.3l 5 speed. At random times during driving all power cuts out for a second, radio, lights, etc., but the engine stays running. the power only goes out for about 10 seconds but its really irritating. I have a new battery and alternator. I also have an amp and sub, light bar, led pods, and rock lights. I always ride around with my rock lights and parking lights on cause they look great to me (pics included). Any electrical guys feel free to point out any flaws my truck may have. I also included picture of some fx2 stickers I had designed that I'm in love with

 

There are 4 separate power(12volt) wires run to ignition switch in cab, then those power wires are each connected to separate Fuses in cab fuse panel when key(and ignition switch) is turned to RUN

Below are the diagrams for power distribution in 2001 Ranger

Maybe you can find a common wire for the systems that are shutting down

Also there is a Battery Saver Relay that cuts power to the systems mentioned, but it is suppose to only OPEN after 20-30minutes after key is turned off, this relay is controlled by the GEM
Might be this relay is failing or the GEM is, be hard to tell, but Relay is not expensive, you just need to FIND IT, lol.
Might be in a box above gas pedal area, Aux relay box 1, "might" is the key word there :)

2001 was a transition year for Ranger 4 cylinders
2001 had 2.5l Lima engines
2001.5 has the 2.3l Duratec engines
So mid-year change
These are the only Power diagrams I have for 2001 Rangers, but should be correct since they mention 2.5l and 2.3l on some wires

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you should be able to run lights AND the radio at the same time while driving, right? but is it still possible I'm burning out that relay you mentioned or, god forbid, worse? I'm not really good with diagrams, I kinda just know what I'm doing with wires in a car.

 

You wouldn't burn out that relay, power wouldn't come back on if you did, it would just fail to hold so would drop open then reconnect(close)
Or GEM has a problem and is opening relay then saying "oops" and closing it again

If you overload a circuit the fuse blows, doesn't come back on until you replace the fuse

Go thru the diagrams and find the things that "Go off" then trace it's wire back to common point.
It's just lines on a page, don't be intimidated, it's only as complicated as YOU make it, don't need to look at the whole thing, just one wire at a time

 

Alright, I'll get out there and look tomorrow and let you know

 

Okay so I found a common wire, but the wire isn't frayed, all connections are tight, all fuses. Thoughts?

 

It would be something else then, may be the Ground, do they share a ground point

 

Okay, I'll get some panels off and chec that out next, is it possible I bought a faulty alternator and it's only quitting every so often?

 

If the alternator were cutting out, the battery would still supply voltage, so you wouldn't lose power. Do the gauges go out at the same time as everything else, or do they stay on?

 

Okay, I've paid more attention to the issue and it turns out it is killing the engine, it restarts it self because I'm moving, but if I'm in neutral or stopped it completely dies and won't restart for about 30 seconds. This video is exactly what mine is doing. It also has a CEL for p0442

 

It happens the first time at 2:40

 

In that video Speedometer is shutting off, so electrical fault
None of the gauges seem to be effected, even tach stays high, but speedo drops like a rock

In 2001 and up Rangers with V6's the PCM(computer) gets the OSS(VSS) speed signal directly from transmission, then corrects it for tire size and axle ratio then sends it out to Speedo and cruise.
So speedo dropping out without any other issues might be dash wiring issue, but since engine seems to be effected could be PCM issue
p0442 could be false code because of PCM issue, can't see any other relationship between speedo and EVAP, unless there is a common ground or power in PCM or chassis wiring

Whats the Red indicator light?
Can't see its symbol?

The gas gauge was driving me NUTS!
Can't stand to even watch a gas gauge that low, lol.
Which reminds me.....I didn't see a "check gauge" light, and that would be on with gas gauge that low, now that is strictly an in dash light, no PCM involved

 

Mine tach drops and not the speedo, but you can definetly feel the jolt as the enigine stops and restarts itself. the red light is the theft light, happens with mine as well, flashing as if the truck was manually turned off.

 

Does tach drop like speedo did in the video?
Tach is also from computer

Theft light?

So reads like PATS could be shutting off injectors, until it reads the PATS key again, extreme long shot.

 

I didnt think of that, could that problem be caused by my alarm system. it doesnt have remote start cause thats dumb to put on a stick

 

PATS is passive anti-theft system, not an alarm, no lights or horn, just disables fuel system

Just think it is ODD for theft light to come on at same time engine cuts out

 

This just has me at a loss. More good news but irrelevant to this situation, my brakes cut out today there was a rupture in the line about the length of a dime, so all this is a lot of fun.

 

I just thought of another variable to this problem, it's still happening. Is it possible that the PATS is acting up due to the fact I put a new engine in it?

 

Bump up. Today at the gas station when I went to get back in, I pressed the cutch and turned the key, nothing.... The theft light flashes and it won't turn over, all power in the truck works, it just won't turn over and I don't know why.

 

New engine wouldn't effect PATS

Theft Light flashing mean PATS did not recognize the key in the ignition so no crank and no start.
Try another key if you have one
If not, try turning key to on(RUN) without touching the black plastic of the handle

PATS key has an RFID tag in the handle
When you turn on the key the antenna around the key slot sends out a radio wave "burst", this gives the RFID tag just enough power for it to send out its own "burst" that has a unique ID number.
The antenna picks up that number and PATS compares it to the 3 or 4 numbers it has in its memory(keys programmed in at the factory when new).
This takes milliseconds, so pretty much instant.
If match is found starter motor works and fuel system as well
If no match the Theft light flashes and no start

Maybe RFID tag in your key is no longer transmitting a legible number, or is too weak.
Many places have RFID key testers.
A locksmith can usually add new PATS keys to your system

 

So I tried the first suggestion, no start, it doesn't even try, no click no nothing. I should probably mention that its a rapid flash and not the normal flash. I went to a parts store and the said a key couldn't be tested if it didn't have a button. I had to have it towed home, no other keys to the truck either.

EDIT: I just tried unhooking the hot battery cable for more than 5 minutes, still the same problem.

 

Yes, Rapid Flashing Theft light means Key did not pass the PATS test.

There is no work-around for PATS, wouldn't be much of an anti-theft system if there was.
Besides no starter motor there will be no fuel pump and the big one............no fuel injectors.
You can get around starter motor and fuel pump, but no way to get around fuel injectors not working

You will need to call a Mobile Locksmith that has Ford software on a laptop, and have them come over to make and add PATS keys to your vehicle.
It could be the PATS system itself is at fault, long shot but could happen, locksmith will be able to tell if that is the case

 

Alirght, I'll call around Monday, as always thanks for your help, Ron

 

PATS is only used at startup

It can't cause engine to stall or lose power after engine is running.
If computer loses power momentarily it could cause reset and new PATS key test would be required, but CEL(check engine light) would come on at that time.

Found this TSB which includes 2001 Rangers with Type E PATS: http://v8sho.com/SHO/TSB01062PATS.htm

Type E has PATS software INSIDE the PCM(computer), so doesn't use a separate PATS module, 2001 was first year Rangers got Type E and only the V6 models, 4cyl Rangers didn't have PATS until 2002, and the 2.3l Duratec engines

 

Well mine is a 2001.5 2.3 Duratec, so I guess thats where I'm lost because I've heard that before.