Ok, so I've got a 1994 Ford ranger, 3.0L V6 and I've got a really wierd problem. After driving it for about 30 minutes, all of the gauges on the dash will drop to zero, all the dash lights will come on, the gas petal will freeze up/go stiff, and the steering will lock up. The truck will stall, and some times the power stays on on the dash, and sometimes it won't. Now, the engine runs like a champ, but it does have a lot of miles. Some times it will start right back up and run mint, and sometimes it needs to sit for 10 minutes before it'll start up. Now, If already replaced the ignition switch thinking that the contacts were expanding when the switch heated up, but it's still doing the same thing. I'm not sure were to go from here, because its gotta be some sort of electrical problem, but I'm not sure what, maybe the PCM? I don't know. Any of you ace mechanics got any ideas? Thanks.
I know this isn't a mustang question, but I'm in some trouble...any help appriciated
- Thread starter my289eatsrice
- Start date
When you say the steering locks up, does it actually lock on the column, or do you just lose power steering?
Sounds to me like there's a short somewhere for sure.. causing the engine to shut down.. perhaps the battery is bouncing around and then grounding out off the fenderwell or something.. I've seen at least one vehicle just shut down suddenly when you accidentally spark out the battery while the engine is running.
I've never worked on a 90's ranger, but perhaps a Haynes manual (or printing out the diagrams on Autozone's website's repair section) and some wire tracing would be beneficial.
Sounds to me like there's a short somewhere for sure.. causing the engine to shut down.. perhaps the battery is bouncing around and then grounding out off the fenderwell or something.. I've seen at least one vehicle just shut down suddenly when you accidentally spark out the battery while the engine is running.
I've never worked on a 90's ranger, but perhaps a Haynes manual (or printing out the diagrams on Autozone's website's repair section) and some wire tracing would be beneficial.
Zero_chance
Founding Member
hmm, lemme think. seems like a physical problem. something touching, binding up and rubbing somewhere. and there has to be a wire or two caught in the pinch causing your electrical gremlins. i'm sure you have already checked all the wiring around the steering coulmn, but you might want to double check every wire and use a dmm if you have one handy. hope you get it fixed man. electrical problems just plain suck.
