I'm switching my 1997 Ford Ranger from an automatic to a manual transmission. I have heard that it is possible to use the same wiring harness from my automatic transmission on my manual transmission. If that's true, how would I go about doing so?

 

You can not use the same connectors, of course, but the wires you need are there

The large 16 pin connector has nothing you need, thats for solenoid control, but seal it up, if it gets wet or corroded it will blow fuses

The smaller 6 or 8 pin connector for the DTR sensor has the wires you want
It has backup(reverse) light activation wires and starter motor activation wires

For starter motor pass thru connect the Pink wire and Red/light blue wires together, just twist or solder them together, then seal them

For backup lights connect the Purple/orange and Black/pink wires to the backup light switch on the manual trans, order doesn't matter its just an open/close switch

If you have a 4x4 then you may need Neutral wire to shift to 4LOW

In a 1997 Ranger you need to use a transmission with a speedometer gear on the tail shaft or transfer case, so a 1997 or older transmission, later models won't work without using a speedometer interface, ($90)

Your 1997 computer has software inside that needs to "see" automatic transmission solenoids, so without those connections CEL(check engine light) will come on and stay on
There are programmers that can erase that software or you can get a 1997 computer from a Ranger with factory manual trans and same size engine, 2WD or 4x4 don't matter to the computer

 

Hi CS Tucker,

I'm about to do the same thing as you. I just got a 96 Ranger with an automatic, and I am planning on putting in the 5-speed trans from my 97 Ranger. Both are 4.0s. This post is very helpful.

Have you started your swap yet? Do you have any tips?

 

Make sure your driveshaft is from a 1990-1997 manual otherwise you'll run into the same problem I'm running into. There will be about a 3" difference in the length.

 

I have the computer from a 95 will it work in a 97?

 

Hi there. Doing a manual swap on my 03 ford ranger edge got the trans, t-case, wiring harness, fly wheel etc... installed my computer from my donor and I’m trying to figure out how to bypass the neural safety switch. Can send pictures to help. Any input would be great

 

On the wiring harness for the DTR(digital transmission range) switch there will be a Pink or Pink/white stripe wire, thats the 12volt wire when key is turned to START
And there will be a Tan/red stripe wire, thats the 12v OUT to starter relay in engine bay fuse box

You need to cut, strip and twist those wires together, but engine can be started "in gear"
OR
You can extend those 2 wires into the cab and hook them to a Clutch safety switch

Just FYI, up to about 2001 there was a Clutch switch jumper wiring harness in automatics, so there was just one wiring harness for manuals or automatics, but in 2003 Ford was using a separate wiring harness for manuals and automatics

You "may" need a neutral/in gear sensor for the manual transmission computer, to remove the REV limiter and to shift into 4low, that would be done with the clutch switch, it has 3 switches inside, for START and for clutch pedal Down(neutral) and clutch pedal up(in gear)

 

@RonD so I used the wiring harness out of a 03 that was manual and have already wired up the harness from it too my pickup would that be a issue?

 

@RonD also the computer from the manual donor ranger as well. I have a sct tuner my dad loaned me and it says that the ecm isn’t connected could that be because I swapped wiring harness and computer on too my truck

 

Well you can check the wiring on the clutch switch to see if it matches the diagram above, both auto and manual are shown
And you do have PATS(passive anti-theft system) so I assume you are using keys matched to the new manual PCM(ecm)
PATS will disable starter motor relay if it doesn't see a matched key

The OBD2 connector wiring is pretty simple, diagram below
Make sure fuse is good
Just has the 3 wires to the PCM, the other wires are not need to "talk" with the PCM but are good to have connected

Just google: OBD2 pins
so see the pin layout, its standard on all makes 1995 and up

Does the CEL come on with key on?
That means PCM is powering up

 

@RonD so short story the computer I got to manual swap wasn’t connecting a couple of pins were corroded come to find out that the inside was all corroded so I’m back to using my original wiring harness and computer and ignition and key. so now my question is how to use those to work with my manual transmission?. I’m pretty new to the wiring side of newer vehicles (as apposed to my others that are from the 70’s—80’s) I’m going to look at what you told me to do before and try my best to figure it out,
Appreciate the pointers has made understanding my wiring harness a lot clearer!

 

@RonD So I reinstalled my auto wiring harness tied the pink and tan/red (I think it’s tan and red) and still nothing, same key same computer, where would the CEL light be on the dash I Can not find it and that might be the reason my theft lifts going off and keeping me from starting it

 

If CEL is not coming on with key on then Computer is not powering up

Get your owners manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

It will have the lay out of dash lights, as their locations changed based on year