Ranger Engine Temp Problem
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Ranger Engine Temp Problem
Hello, I have a 1995 Ranger with a 4cyc engine, no A/C. My problem is the engine temperature will not rise enough to get heat. The guage rises slightly even after driving for some time. I have replaced the termostat and flushed the cooling system, but no change. I have been living with this problem for about a year and getting tired of being cold. Thanks for your help!
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Is your blower motor working? Is the mode door stuck on cold air? I would check the temp sending unit. It's probably faulty and the engine is at normal temp. I bet that the mode door(blend door) is stuck, only letting in cold air.
Last edited by goose213; Jan 26, 2005 at 01:41 AM.
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From: Eastern WA
Welcome to FTE!!!
I would first make sure the engine is at the correct operating temp by getting my hands on one of those infrared thermometers. Point it at the thermostat housing and a few points on the hose and radiator inlet and average the temps. If low, replace the thermostat once again but this time bit the bullet and buy it from Ford. I know, ka ching. If the temp is about 195, your gauge is lying to you and it's probably caused by a bad temp gauge sending unit.
Once it's proven to reach operating temp, feel the two heater hoses. One will be hot and the other will be warm (fan running on high). If this is not the case, it sounds like a plugged heater core. If the rig is equipped with a vacuum operated valve in the coolant line, take operation of that into consideration. If the core is plugged, sometimes you can backflush them with a garden hose to disgorge the debris.
After that, investigate the operation of the blend door. Make sure the blend door moves as you change the temperature setting.
One final note; if the problem began after you changed the thermostat you can pretty well bet on what the problem is. Keep us posted.
I would first make sure the engine is at the correct operating temp by getting my hands on one of those infrared thermometers. Point it at the thermostat housing and a few points on the hose and radiator inlet and average the temps. If low, replace the thermostat once again but this time bit the bullet and buy it from Ford. I know, ka ching. If the temp is about 195, your gauge is lying to you and it's probably caused by a bad temp gauge sending unit.
Once it's proven to reach operating temp, feel the two heater hoses. One will be hot and the other will be warm (fan running on high). If this is not the case, it sounds like a plugged heater core. If the rig is equipped with a vacuum operated valve in the coolant line, take operation of that into consideration. If the core is plugged, sometimes you can backflush them with a garden hose to disgorge the debris.
After that, investigate the operation of the blend door. Make sure the blend door moves as you change the temperature setting.
One final note; if the problem began after you changed the thermostat you can pretty well bet on what the problem is. Keep us posted.
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Ranger Temp
Thanks for the reply! I've installed two thermostats (from the Ford Dealer). A new temp sensor. Flushed the core(no problems there). The blend door is working fine. Heater hoses feel correct! Really strange! Could the fan clutch be sticking, over cooling the radiator?
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Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
The thermostat would control the engine temp and you would hear a constant rush of air if the fan clutch failed. If the outside temp is real cold, it may cool the engine a bit, but again, you would hear the rush of air from the fan. I'm a tad confused now; the first post says "The guage rises slightly even after driving for some time" and the last post says "Heater hoses feel correct!". By correct, is one heater (not radiator) hose hot and the other warm when the fan is on high? This would indicate normal operation. The first post indicates/suggest the engine is not reaching temp; this is why I suggest the infrared temp gauge to verify engine temp.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Jan 26, 2005 at 02:24 PM.
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I wasn't getting any heat on my 94 even after system flush. After replacing, t-stat, and sensor I hooked a garden hose up to the top of the heater core. after removing the lower hose I blasted away and then reversed the process. I'm getting more heat than I need now.