Ford RangerMore than two decades ago, the Ford Ranger debuted as an answer to various compact pickup trucks being made available by Japanese automakers. The Ranger was cleanly styled and offered with a choice of a 6-foot or 7-foot bed. Ford boasted that the Ranger had more interior room than the best-selling imports and that 4-by-8-foot construction material could be carried in the bed.
Just curious if anyone has ever experienced this in their rangers. I have a 2000 Ranger. Auto with the 3.0 Flex Fuel motor w/130xxx miles. I live in MN and I have noticed that it doesnt do this in the winter, but since it warmed up and were getting into the 90's everday whenever I go to start my truck it will start up but for about 4-5 seconds the oil temp gauge will stay on the low side and not read. This will cause the check gauge light to come on. It will flicker back up into place and it will be fine. But when I drive it almost everytime that I come to a stop as I slow down my RPM's will drop down below 1,000 (that about normal idling for it) typically it will go down to about 300 or 400 RPMS and the oil temp gauge will flicker up and down. It has happened before where the truck will actually stall on me, but it has so far always started back up. It hasnt stalled for a while, but since its warm again it does this a lot. Just curious if anyone has experienced this.
I have brought it in to my mechanic and told them what it does. They dont know what it is and of course when they try to get it to do it for them it never does it.
Thanks
Todd
I had a similar problem with my last pickup. The pickup only had a 'too cold' or 'too hot' indicator. The 'too hot' light would flicker and then turn off (indicating that everything was OK). I replaced the $5 sensor that screwed into the block and the indicator lights worked fine. The problem was a faulty sensor.
I've had this same problem. I changed the oil pressure sensor and it stopped. I've seen it do it one or two more times, but only after driving in the desert in 100+ temperatures.
The oil pressure sensor is located at the rear of the engine, below the spark plug on the passenger side. It's a real b***h to get to.
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Good Luck...
mj
'01 Ford Ranger 3.0 Super Cab, K&N Air, MaxFlow Exhaust, Oversize Tires
'93 Ford Taurus 3.0 (What a MONEY PIT! Traded it in for the '01 Ranger)
'87 Ford Ranger 2.3 Super Cab (Owned it for 16 years until some clown T-boned me in it!)
'92 Ford Aerostar 3.0 (Gave it to Ex in Divorce Settlement) Hehe...
'74 Ford Maverick 250 ci (Great car! Cruised at 110 mph on Autoban! Traded it in for the '87 Ranger)
'66 Ford Mustang 200 ci (Screwed up and SOLD IT!!)
...for about 4-5 seconds the oil temp gauge will stay on the low side and not read
Just so that you know.
You have an engine coolant temperature gauge and an oil pressure gauge. You do NOT have an oil temperature gauge.
Low oil pressure, even for a short time, is serious and is a certain sign of major engine failure. However, as Mike J. pointed out, it could be just a faulty pressure sensor.
__________________ Peace, it's our only chance
1998 E150 Club Wagon, 4.6L Modular, E4OD
2007 Milan. 3.0L Duratec, Aisin 6 speed AW-F21 others I look out for
2007 Escape 2wd (the mini Pumpkin), 3.0L Duratec, CD4E
2008 Mazda3 5 door, 2.3L, 5 speed manual
LOL! I didn't even notice that he said "oil temp guage"!
__________________
Good Luck...
mj
'01 Ford Ranger 3.0 Super Cab, K&N Air, MaxFlow Exhaust, Oversize Tires
'93 Ford Taurus 3.0 (What a MONEY PIT! Traded it in for the '01 Ranger)
'87 Ford Ranger 2.3 Super Cab (Owned it for 16 years until some clown T-boned me in it!)
'92 Ford Aerostar 3.0 (Gave it to Ex in Divorce Settlement) Hehe...
'74 Ford Maverick 250 ci (Great car! Cruised at 110 mph on Autoban! Traded it in for the '87 Ranger)
'66 Ford Mustang 200 ci (Screwed up and SOLD IT!!)
check the oil pressure gauge i had the same problem on myy 88 gmc sierra s15 i changed the sensor and it was fine also had to change the pump like 3 months later whoever had it before i guess hated it cuz they never did maitenece
I suspect that it is not really a pressure sensor and guage, but rather a oil pressure switch. If the pressure falls below (something like 5 psi) the switch triggers and shows low pressure. Also some vehicles PCM will read the switch, and will cut power to the fuel injectors, if it reads no pressue. I do not know if your engine falls into that category.
You may want to check the quality of the connection to the sensor, and if that looks good, consider replacing the sensor.
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BroncoJoe19
2006 Alt Fuel Jeep (electric)
'98 windstar 3.8L
'99 Crown Vic 4.6L
'90 Full Size Bronco 5.0L
I'm not a professional mechanic, take my suggestions with a grain of salt, or a cup of coffee
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Idling and Oil Temp Gauge 
Linear Mode
