I just bought a 1997 Ford ranger with the 6 banger and auto transmission. I have a few questions. The wipers work, sometimes. When they work they work fine. but sometimes they stop wherever they feel like stopping. Another question, the odometer. The speedo works fine but the numbers for the odometer don't move. I know the speedo cable is fine so is the only option the odometer itself or is something else possibly wrong. This truck is new to me so any help would be appreciated.

 

could be the turn signal stalk and they are not that expensive to replace somewhere around $100. As to odometer probably a bad one, beleive you need to replace the entire speedo unit not sure

 

Clusters from 1995 to 2003 are all direct swaps. The only difference is 1995 ones have the check engine light in a different spot. I have a 2003 cluster in my truck and it's a 1997. The harness is already prewired for the tach,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I found this on another website,,,a 2002 or 2003 speedo with a tach would look good in your truck,,,I would go auto salvage yard hunting !!!!!!

 

Since you seem to like turning your own wrenches & this ride is OBD-2 diagnostics, come by, or borrow the inexpensive ELM scan tool & run FORScan, or the like diagnostics software on the viewing device of your choice, as discussed here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-scantool.html

The ELM can scan All of the vehicle computer/controllers for trouble code clues & having access to the body computer/controller, may help focus your trouble shoot.

A few years ago, while trouble shooting my ABS system woes that my Actron CP9145 scan tool couldn't access, I came by the ELM scan tool & running FORscan, it also found body trouble codes I didn't know I had, that later helped me find out why my power windows suddenly began acting out a few months earlier.
My Actron CP9150 scan tool couldn't access the body controller, or the ABS computer/controller.
The ELM & FORScan are inexpensive but Powerful diagnostic additions for our electronic tool box.

More thoughts for consideration, let us know what you find.

 

I wonder if Oreilly has one of the code readers to"borrow" likw other rental tools

 

I replaced the turn signal stalk and everything is working fine. Turn signals (which were fine) and now the wipers work like they are supposed to. THANKS !!!!

 

Your odometer gear is probably stripped, common for Ford cars of this era. The little replacement gear is expensive and it looks like something you get in a box of Cracker Jacks. I do not recommend this repair be done by a novice.

 

i'm looking for a replacement speedo cluster. any suggestions what to look for or what to watch out for? Do all the speedometer clusters from that time frame fail the same way?

 

Read my earlier post !!!!

 

Looking for the new/used speedo cluster. Thanks for all the help