So I installed some Explorer Sport gauges a long long time ago (like 6 or 7 years ago) and the tach worked perfect. Idle was right on and so was redline. But just recently the the tach is showing idle around 400 RPMs and Redline is around 4000 something.

Just recently I changed out my GEM and wiring harnesses from another ranger with power doors. But I looked at my wiring manual and it showed that the tach signal is coming straight from the PCM. So what could be the problem?

 

Correct. The tach pulse comes directly from the PCM.

However, the ground wires present in the cluster connector of the dash harness determine if the Ranger/Explorer tach is calibrated for a 4, 6 or 8 cylinder engine. If you swapped a V6 dash harness into your 4-cylinder truck, the tach will read 2/3 of actual RPM because of the lower number of pulses/revolution.

So, assuming that you have a V6 dash harness transplanted into your 2000 2.5 truck, you'd need to disconnect the black/yellow ground from pin 8 of C216.

 

Brilliant answer! I just noticed that little box next to the ground wire that reads "3.0 and 4.0", and it was a V6 donor harness. I take it you had to mod yours for your V8 conversion.

 

Don't mean to hijack, but yes I do. What about for a 95? I can't find much info on that.

 

Yes, recalibration is as simple as releasing the 'V6' ground pin from one of the cluster connectors and moving it to the new 'V8' position in another connector.

 

Compared to the years before and after, 1995 uses a unique cluster and a unique harness pinout and it is not clear in the 95 EVTM how the tach difference between 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder trucks is accommodated.

Based on what was done in 94 and 96, here's my best GUESS for 1995. A black/yellow wire to ground from pin #1 of the 14-pin calibrates the tach for a 6-cylinder; no ground from pin #1 of the 16-pin sets the tach up for a 4-cylinder. Remember, this is an unproven guess, nothing more.

 

OK so if I understand this its just plug and play to put in an instrument panel with a tach in my 2000 with 2.5 in it ranger?

 

Yeah that is correct. I put in an Explorer Sport white faced cluster in mine and it was plug and play. Probably the easiest mod I've ever done.

My problem was with swapping out a wiring harness.

 

Wasn't 95 the year they changed the dash over and went to OBD2?
wouldn't that make it the same? as what you said above?

 

Yes



No.

The 1995 cluster appears outwardly identical to the 96~2003 style clusters but there are differences in the 95 cluster itself and its connector pinouts.

 

Thanks for the reply Anthony thats what I plan on doing to mine

 

OK now that I have the 02 explorer sport cluster in my 2000 ranger every thing works but the check engine light is this common on this swap?

 

By saying that the light doesn't work do you mean that its on?

Have your codes read if it is.

 

no it doesn't light at all and i'm sure that the bulb is good

 

Did your check engine light come on before the swap?

Does it not come one when you first turn your ignition on?

 

[QUOTE=sheltonfilms;1894329]Did your check engine light come on before the swap?

Does it not come one when you first turn your ignition on?[/QUOTE

yes Im sure it came on before the swap and no it dont come on when you first turn on the ignition

 

Ok looks like the is a pinning difference. Let me double check all the wires for both models and see if others are switched too.

Edit: For some reason I was looking at a 95 Ranger diagrams (got confused with above posts)

 

Pins on 2000 2.5 and 2002 sport look identical. Check engine light pin is the same. I would say you have a bad bulb.

 

Ill pop it out and change it and see what that does thanks for the help
Brent

 

well three different bulbs and sockets later I now have a check engine light
Thanks for all the help Anthony

 

I'm sorry, I have not done any modifications to my truck. Over the past 6 months my Tach would sometimes jump to 3400rpm and then drop back to accurate RPM's (2000). Now it has stuck at the jump spot (3300-3400rpm). Does anyone REALLY know what causes this?

Thank you, BR