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1996 Ford Ranger electrical problem

Tiny
DROYD78
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
Electrical problem
1996 Ford Ranger 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

I have a 1996 Ford Ranger with an electrical problem. When driving the truck if anything is turned on (stereo, heat/a.C, headlights, wipers), the speedometer stops working. When the other things are turned off, it starts working again. I have changed all the applicable fuses. Is it just a wiring issue? And if so, how do I go about finding where the wiring issue is? Thanks.
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Friday, July 18th, 2008 AT 6:24 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Have you added any aftermarket electrical equipment to the truck? Stereo, speakers?

If not, get a Haynes manual and make sure it has the speedometer (IP) schematic and trace the wiring from IP to trans sender, looking for insulation breaches, heat related insulation marks (burns).
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Monday, July 21st, 2008 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
DROYD78
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  • 3 POSTS
It has an aftermarket stereo that's been in the truck as long as we've owned it (since 2002). It's never given us any trouble like this before, though. Could the stereo have something to do with it?
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Monday, July 21st, 2008 AT 11:20 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
At least check the connections to the stereo, they may have worked loose and some connections to the stero are hot all the time.
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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
DROYD78
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Not long after I posted this question the check engine light came on with the code indicating a faulty vehicle speed sensor. I replaced that and the problem seemed to resolve for a week or so. Then it came back.

It seems to be the worst when the headlights are on. The speedometer doesn't work, the wipers run slow or not at all, and the fans for the heat/ac don't really work.

One morning it had trouble starting and I found some corrosion on the negative battery cable where it connects to the battery. Simply by moving the cable a little bit, the truck started up with no problem. Now I'm wondering if all of these problems could be related to the battery cable or the grounds. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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Thursday, February 26th, 2009 AT 3:01 AM
Tiny
98RANGERXLT
  • MECHANIC
  • 301 POSTS
I would pull the battery cables off and clean then good and the posts on the battery.
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Thursday, February 26th, 2009 AT 7:29 PM

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