Just a heads up for those with a 2.3L 4-cyl and have to change the power steering pressure switch on the high-pressure PS line. The sensor/switch screws into the high-pressure line and eventually fails and starts puking PS fluid out of the base of the electrical connector. The switch tells the computer to bump the idle/rpm a little when you are steering at slow speed in a parking lot, so you have good steering response. Apparently the 2.3L doesn't have enough umph to otherwise steer well at parking lot speeds/low idle...no other engine in the Ranger line up has this curious device.
Anway, not hard to change if you approach it correctly. Aftermarket switches go for $24 to $30 depending on where you buy it. The trick to changing it is access...very tight quarters on the I-4 engines.
The best way is to remove the driver's front wheel and get out your crowsfoot wrenches and trusty ratchet with long extension. Put the crowsfoot 9/16ths on the base of the switch and pop a moderate to long extension into the crowsfoot. Put the ratchet on and hold the PS line with one hand while you torque on the switch with the ratchet to loosen it. Bob's yer uncle...it'll crack loose and you can unscrew it from the line with your hand and screw the new one in...hand tighten and then tighten with the crowsfoot, plug in the electrical connector and yer good to go. Just pray that your PS high pressure line isn't so corroded that you have to replace it, too...cause there ain't much room in there for that. And no, I didn't shoot any pix to illustrate...tough beans I guess.

 

Greetings,

I've got a 04' Ranger with a 2.3L, and it is leaking ps fluid from the plug connector that goes into the power steering pressure switch, I figure I should replace the Switch and perhaps the high pressure line as well, however, I called the ford dealership and they said in there system they dont show this Year vehicle having a power steering pressure switch, how can i get the right part?

Thank you very much for posting this thread.

Brent

 

For those still trying to figure this issue out, the Motorcraft P/N is F3TZ3N824A. My local dealer wanted $79, I found a genuine Motorcraft replacement on eBay for $50 shipped. You will not find a generic replacement from local autoparts stores.

 

RockAuto has several of these hoses but you have to buy the hose and pressure sensor separately.

 

So I have a power steering leak from my switch, started looking around and looked up the part number someone left for one in here but says it doesn't fit. Ford discontinued it and no luck so far finding a replacement does the Motorcraft part from ebay actually fit or am I up a creek and gotta take chances on scrap yards? Even home depot yes home depot sells power steering switches but there's say it doesn't fit either and I don't want to order a part on a guess. Anyone have any known ones that fir the 04 ranger 2.3 everything I've found ends at the 03 rangers and doesn't fit the 04

 

Got a little time off from work, so I did a little poking around on the Rockauto site. It looks like the 2.3 power steering HOSE fits both the 2003 and 2004. So the 2004 switch/sensor is obviously different than the 2003, with the 2004 switch not available. Yet the 2003 switch is readily available, for some reason. Here's a thought: Could you screw in the 2003 sensor and rewire the harness using a 2003 connector? There appears to be plenty of 2003 connectors listed on RockAuto. I have no idea if this would work or not, just throwing it out there for somebody to investigate.