'95 Ranger 2.3L XLT Manual

I want to start off and say that I have checked as many threads on here and other forums as I can and I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here but I have a mystery "Check Gage" light on.

The "CG" Light only comes on when the motor gets to temp.

Things I have checked:

- Oil Pressure reads fine L-----|-----H
- Yes, there is gas in the tank and the light comes on at any level of fuel.
- Temp gauge reads a little past middle but seems to be working fine. e.g. L------|----H
- A/C heater works great.

I plugged in my OBDII scanner to get a reading of temps and the highest temp I got was at idle (184°F but would average about 178°F).
As far as I know that is not high at all.

I really would appreciate anyone's advice on this.


(tags: check gage, help, cooling, general help, advice)

 

Welcome to the forum

You must have a late model 1995 Ranger, my diagrams don't show "Check Gauge" light until 1996

Oil gauge, Temp gauge and Fuel gauge are the monitored gauges but via the Anti-Slosh Module in the instrument cluster

Like most dash indicator bulbs Check Gauge bulb gets 12volts when key is on, then is Grounded for a bulb test then ungrounded and goes off
Anti-slosh module will Ground the Check Gauge bulb if fuel or oil gauges get low, or if temp gauge gets high.

You say all your gauges seems to work:
The oil is at 0 before startup and then goes up at startup
Temp gauge starts off at COLD and then slowly goes up to about 1/2 after 5 minutes or so of driving
Fuel gauge changes as you drive and then goes up when you add gasoline

Anti-slosh module is there to prevent fuel gauge needle from swinging up and down when you drive around corners, as fuel in the tank "sloshes" back and forth causing float to go up and down.

I would be tempted to change the Temp SENDER on the engine first, they are not expensive, and it should be below 1/2, closer to 1/3 unless you are pulling a trailer or driving up a long grade.
All fuel injected engines have TWO temp units
ECT(engine coolant temp) Sensor is ONLY USED by the computer, thats the temp you saw on OBD reader, and yes about 190degF is correct after engine is warmed up, yours looks a little low, maybe someone put in a 180deg Thermostat, 195deg is recommended for best MPG and cleaner oil

ECT SENDER is only used by the dash board temp gauge, and center line on Ford temp gauge is usually about 210-215degF, so if ECT sensor is showing 180degF then Temp gauge should be showing below 1/2 instead of above 1/2, and that "may" be causing the check gauge light.

1995 2.3l should still use 1 wire SENDER, located on drivers side of engine at the back
Drawing here: http://repairguide.autozone.com/znet...5280077d27.jpg

Oil pressure switch is just above it

You will need to drain out some coolant
And make sure parts store gives you a SENDER
They almost always get a sensor first time, stress SENDER when they look up part number.

SENDER tip will be a round cylinder
Sensor tip is a cone shape

Generic SENDER picture: https://www.carpartsdiscount.com/aut...-unit-ts58.jpg

Generic sensor picture: https://www.2carpros.com/forum/autom...p_Sensor_1.jpg

If new SENDER reads the same as old one then you could actually have a circulation problem in the back of the engine, water pump issue maybe, so check gauge light is on for a good reason

ECT sensor is at the front of the engine, where you were reading the 180degF

Wiring Diagram of 1996 2.3l instrument cluster below, as said 1995 didn't show Check Gauge Light

 

Wow, thanks for all the info and the welcome. I am going to start with replacing the sender and let you know how that goes. Hopefully it's that simple.

 

Wow, thanks for all the info and the welcome. I am going to start with replacing the sender and let you know how that goes. Hopefully it's that simple.