Hi All!!!! I have a few questions to ask. I'm having some problems with my ranger, it is a 2000 xlt 4.0 4x4. First problem...I put the truck into 4wd for the first time in a while, when I put the truck back into 2wd I noticed it never came out of 4wd. I played with the switch a few more times but it never came out of 4wd. When I came to a red light I put the truck into park then back into drive and herd a loud clank and it went back into 2wd from that point on.

Second problem...Now that it is getting coolder at night around here I have been putting the heat/defroster on. I've noticed that it has been blowing cold air sometimes. It's not because it's not warmed up because it was blowing cold air after and hour of driving on the highway. It doesen't happen all the time but frequently.

Third problem (and last I hope) - When ever you step on the gas in drive or reverse from a stop you hear a clank come from the rear of the truck. It only happens coming from a stand still. Also, when stepping on the gas from a stop the rear end seems like it hops or the trans is slipping or something, hard to describe. I brought it to the dealer when I first got the truck for this problem (2 1/2 years ago) and if I remember correctly they said it was a u-joint. It was supposedly replaced but the problem has been back for a long time now.
Thanks for listening and any help/info would be greatly appreciated.

 

1. Regarding your 4WD issues, I have to assume you have the Pulse Vacuum Hublock (PVH) system on your ‘00, although Ford did change over to the “constant engagement” 4x4 system in the middle of that same year. You might have some vacuum issues, maybe a leak somewhere in the system, or at the O-rings. There is a very good diagnostic TSB regarding PVH issues out there, that’s where I’d start my diagnosis:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...81&postcount=2


2. Sounds like you could also have a vacuum leak in your climate control system, either that or your blend door is broken. You can find more info on that stuff here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...53&postcount=6


3. More than likely the event you hear and feel is the infamous “driveline thunk” that is being caused by the driveshaft slip yoke sticking. You can read up on how to remedy that problem here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=109423

So you've got a little work ahead of you. Good luck.

 

Third problem (and last I hope) - When ever you step on the gas in drive or reverse from a stop you hear a clank come from the rear of the truck. It only happens coming from a stand still. Also, when stepping on the gas from a stop the rear end seems like it hops or the trans is slipping or something, hard to describe. I brought it to the dealer when I first got the truck for this problem (2 1/2 years ago) and if I remember correctly they said it was a u-joint. It was supposedly replaced but the problem has been back for a long time now.


I had a similar problem with my '00 4wd offroad. I had it in to the dealer several times. New driveshaft, U-joints, they finally rebuilt the rear end. No defective or worn parts were found in the rear end. Ford never did figure it out. THe noise has mellowed over time. I have now been driving it with the noise for over 70K with no problems.