Hi everyone,
I just switch from an 89 nissan maxima to a 96 ford ranger, so I'm glad to say that ranger-forums.com is my new home because it looks like a pretty decent site.

When i got the ranger i noticed quite a few problems with the combination meter (speed, odo, fuel, etc.). First of all the oil needle just falls to the bottom unless I keep revving the engine then it stays where it should be. Next, the odometer doesn't work (it seems to not work when its really hot outside, usually when the door chime stays on for no reason). Next, the fuel guage doesn't work, it just stays on empty. Last of all, at night, the whole thing doesn't light up (just the fuel, which is useless because it doesn't work). I guess my question is, should I replace that whole combination meter or are they all related to the same problem that I can fix. And if I do replace it, what are the chance of those problems returning.

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

Welcome to R-F.

Oil pressure sending unit is the cheap (<$20) and easy fix for your oil gage. Very common.

Search on "door ajar" for your chime. Uber-common.

Odometer gear strips when it is reset while moving. It is replaceable, but can be tedious (you decide if it's worth the trouble).

Fuel gage sounds like the float has a hole in it, filled with gas. Cheap part, but also tedious (remove bed, remove the fuel pump/float assembly, replace float).

Instrument lighting is #194 lamps. Dash cluster comes out easily and the lamps are cheap.

I don't think your gage cluster itself is bad. Fix all those individual problems.

 

for the door ajar issue, soak the inside of the door latch mechanism with wd-40. squirt on a good amount and then open and close the door a few times. the light should stay off after this

 

Welcome!

 

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. All that sounds fairly easy to replace except the fuel float. Do I really need to take the bed off to get to it?
Maybe I'm just used to working on cars, but would they really make it that hard to get to the fuel sending unit?

 

yep you need to remove the bed to get to it... its not as hard as it sounds... just a few bolts and the fuel filler and you are done

 

Oil gauge is fake. Its a switch that turns on between 5-7 psi. I would invest in an after market pressure gauge setup if you like to know.


Second option on the fuel gauge. If the lead is grounded it will read a little past empty.
Not a common problem but happened to me.