Intermittent Overheating 2003 Ranger
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Intermittent Overheating 2003 Ranger
My 2003 Ranger is overheating at times. If it is above 80 degrees and I have the AC and accelarate onto a freeway or go up a large hill my temp gage will rise about and 1/8 inch and then peg. The engine light will come on too. Sometimes it will drop instantly when I take my foot off the accelerator and push in the clutch, if not I turn the engine off when it is safe to pull over. When I start it back up it is back to normal. I get the same issue if I am pulling a trailer, which i do not do often. It is a 4 cyl. stick. I have had the coolant flushed, I installed a new fan clutch (since then I have not lost coolant and the overheating issue improved but is still there). Any ideas? The thermostat is $150 without installation. Anyone know how to test it without buying one. I have 108,000 miles and have had this issue for about 20,000 miles. I don't want to change the radiator, water pump and thermostat if I do not have to. Thanks.
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From: Ishpeming Mi.
Pull the thermostat, immerse it in a pan of water and start warming it up on a stove. If it hasn't opened before the water is boiling then the t-stat is kaput.
Hope your problem is this simple.
$150 for a T-stat???? That can't possibly be right.
Hope your problem is this simple.
$150 for a T-stat???? That can't possibly be right.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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If it does it only when A/C is on check to make sure that the electric fan in front of radiator comes on . That thermostat is pricey because it has a built in heater element and a sensor all in one housing and not each sold separately.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
Bazzman has it right, see if your coolant t-stat is working right.
Maz B23, I don't think he has an e-fan if he already replaced the fan clutch.
OP, you also need to check and see that your fan is *actually* turning. Also if you can have a buddy hold his foot down at different accelerations of the motor (idle, 1500, 2500, 3200rpm ect), see that the fan is accelerating and not remaining at idle speeds (the engine needs to be warmed up for this too).
Maz B23, I don't think he has an e-fan if he already replaced the fan clutch.
OP, you also need to check and see that your fan is *actually* turning. Also if you can have a buddy hold his foot down at different accelerations of the motor (idle, 1500, 2500, 3200rpm ect), see that the fan is accelerating and not remaining at idle speeds (the engine needs to be warmed up for this too).
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,079
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From: Fort Wayne, IN
Ah that's what you mean, I understand now.
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