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Temperature Gauge

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Old Sep 1, 2019 | 02:40 PM
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Temperature Gauge

Hi...I just purchased a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT. The seller told me the heater didn't work, but the 2nd day I drive it, I noticed that the temperature gauge doesn't work. I'm not sure if they are related. Does anyone know what should be looked at to fix the problem? I'd like to have a little knowledge before I take it to the mechanic. Thanks
 
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Old Sep 1, 2019 | 05:49 PM
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Welcome to the forum. Check your fuse box and power distribution box for your gauge problems.

Heater could be a matter of the thermostat being removed.

https://www.autogenius.info/ford-ran...e-box-diagram/
 
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Old Sep 1, 2019 | 05:58 PM
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Why would someone remove the thermostat?
 
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Old Sep 1, 2019 | 10:09 PM
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Old Sep 2, 2019 | 05:34 PM
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Some people think they can overcome a real heating issue by removing the thermostat. In fact, it ends up masking the problem and not fixing anything.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2019 | 07:09 PM
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Oh...good to know. Thank you
 
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Old Sep 2, 2019 | 07:33 PM
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People are dumb is the short answer
 
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 02:28 PM
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just going to pass this on. since I was having some problems with my 2000 Ranger 4.0L XLT never getting up to temp. I ended up buying a ScanGuage II and it is plugged into the OBD-II connector. measuring from the computer, found out that the Temp Guage will not come off Cold till the engine reached 145f and will not reach center till around 185f.

came out mine was a Bad thermostat that was stuck open. after I put a factory original thermostat in it, it started working fine and Heater works well now.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 02:40 PM
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Dhagerty40- Thank you for the information. That actually sounds like it may be the problem. The heater and temp gauge intermittently work. I will have my mechanic check it out.

I'm also disappointed in the way my truck carried its first load. I got a 1/2 yard of soil. I was told it only weighed 850 lbs, yet the truck bed was tilted down and the tires looked low. The sticker says my cargo capacity is 3500 lbs. Would this be my shocks? Any information would be helpful.
 
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by lenamays
Dhagerty40- Thank you for the information. That actually sounds like it may be the problem. The heater and temp gauge intermittently work. I will have my mechanic check it out.

I'm also disappointed in the way my truck carried its first load. I got a 1/2 yard of soil. I was told it only weighed 850 lbs, yet the truck bed was tilted down and the tires looked low. The sticker says my cargo capacity is 3500 lbs. Would this be my shocks? Any information would be helpful.
also, check to make sure your radiator is not low of antifreeze.

hauling capacity will depend on what model you have. 3500 lbs sounds high for any Ranger. Just for info, Rangers came with 3 different size rims. 14" was for 4x2 and smaller engines, 15" for larger engines and standard 4x4's. 16" rims came with 4x4's with the offroad package. mine does not show a cargo capacity but GVWR (gross vehicle weight ratio). mine shows 5140 lbs GVWR and an unladen weight of 3560 lbs. this comes out to a little over 1,500 lbs cargo capacity. Now mine is a 4x4 with both towing and offroad package, so it should haul a lot more than the others. if yours is a 4x2, you were probably close to max capacity. Tires looking low are usually the tire and is most likely a standard passenger tire. truck grade tires can handle much more weight.

I have had 1100 lbs in the bed of my truck and that lowered the back about 2 inches. Shocks usually do nothing about how it handles weight. the suspension (probably leaf springs like mine) is usually the culprit.
 
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