Good morning all!

My name is Dmitry, I don't actually own a Ranger, but trying to help a great friend in need!

He's wife's company just closed their doors and laid everyone off, and he has 2 kids, to make matter worse, his family car Crown Vic just threw a rod. But wait, there is more, his Ranger started to have electrical issues and non-drivable at the moment with an estimate from some local place for $1500 and no guarantee that it would solve his issues...

So with that in mind, I hope you guys can help me with some ideas so I can try to get his ranger at least back on the road, terrible situation for him, all this crap being dumped on this family all at one time!


Truck - 1998 Ford Ranger 4L 4x4 extended cab (auto and non-california)
Problem - started with not charging battery. Replaced alternator, voltage regulator and battery, still draining and nearly impossible to jump start. Service, check engine and battery light stays on.

He took it to a local shop to get an idea of whats going on with it, and they estimated ECU/ECM, estimate came $1500 with no guarantee that it would solve the problem and they suggested that some wires actually get warm...

I'd love to help them, but I don't have $1500 laying around. If it is indeed ECM/ECU (main computer module), I know a local yard who will allow me to try few ECM's for a little $$ to see if that solves the problem, I can afford that...

What ECM/ECU's are compatible with this truck (years, models - maybe even Explorer's units) so I know what to look for when I'm at the yard? Special VIN codes or serial number for compatibility?

Any help, suggestions are greatly appreciated on this matter!

Kind regards,
D
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Howdy and welcome to FTE!

Are you Russian... Dmitry?

To be sure I advice you to check out Autozone.com. They have wiring diagrams and you can compare what actuators and sensors differ what the same. I had to add some sensors to my '89 Aero installing '91 engine and PCM.

Also check programe codes. Full list of program codes I saw at fordfuelinjection.com, but I'm not sure about OBD-II PCMs. They have flash and eprom memory and may be parametrised for any ford vehicle.

 

Ouch, when it rains it pours.

To solve a no charge problem the mechanic wants to replace the PCM??? Go figure.

Odds are the charge circuit on a 98 Ranger works the same as on my 97 Explorer.

The wiring diagram for my Explorer shows the starter relay is wired to mini fuse 6 under the hood in the power distribution box.

And mini fuse 6 is wired to the internal voltage regulator in the alternator.

If this fuse is blown, it wont charge.

Have you checked this fuse?

Strangely enough the fuse is listed as the "generator/voltage regulator fuse". Tradition I guess.

Take a look at the fuse list in the owners manual, or as Pablo sez, take a look at the wiring diagrams at autozone.com