2000 Ford Ranger Electrical System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

BOTH THE BACK SEAT SMALL DOORS WERE LOCKED AND UNOPERABLE SINCE 2015 (THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR WITHOUT PAYING FOR SERVICE- THEY SAID WILL COST $1,000.00 FOR EACH DOOR AND JUST TO EXAM COST. THAT WAS NOT THE REPAIR COST YET) 2020 IN AUGUST, PERHAPS, THE BACK GATE DOOR FOR THE TRUNK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED, FELLED OUT FROM THE ROLLER. THAT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE BACK GATE TO THE BED OF THE TRUCK I HAD TO PUT BACK TO THE ROLLER. AND, IT IS NOT SURE THAT THE GATE IS STABLE CONDITION. UNDER THE DASHBOARD, THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER JUST TOUCHED AND COLLAPSED-BROKEN INSIDE UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND COULD NOT PULL IT OUT. SO, IT IS STILL INSIDE UNDER THE DASHBOARD (NOTICE: THAT FEATURE-THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER NOBODY USED SINCE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE- NON SMOKER OWNER). THE UNDER BODY VEHICLE COST A LOT TO REPAIR THROUGH THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 120,000 MILES CURRENTLY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED AS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

STARTING FROM HOME, THE VEHICLE HAD NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THEN, DRIVING ABOUT 2 MILES AND UP THE BRIDGE, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SLOWLY CAME TO A STOP WITHIN QUICK TIME AND STALLED ON THE UPHILL DIRECTION. A FEW ATTEMPTS TO RESTART, I WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE POLICE WAS CALLED AND CAME TO PUSH THE RANGER DOWN THE BRIDGE TO THE SAFETY AREA AND WAITING TWO HOURS LATER FOR THE TOW-TRUCK TO TOW TO THE FORD DEALER. AND, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS OUT. THIS VEHICLE HAD HISTORIES OF REPAIR SINCE THE FIRST YEAR AND THEREAFTER . *TR

TWO TIMES ON 3/2/12 I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED TO BRAKE THE TRUCK ACCELERATED. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON WET ROADS SO I COULD SLOW IT DOWN ENOUGH WITH THE BRAKES WHILE THE TIRES WERE BURNING TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN GOT IT STOPPED. LATER THE SAME DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS TIME THE ROAD WAS DRY AND NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED THE BRAKES I COULD NOT GET THE TRUCK TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME BEFORE I GOT IT INTO NEUTRAL. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK! I CALLED A DEALER AND ASKED IF THEY KNEW OF ANY ISSUES OR RECALLS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE AND OTHER SITES THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. OF COURSE THEY ADVISED I COULD BRING IT IN FOR AN INSPECTION THAT COST A LARGE FEE REGARDLESS IF THEY FIND AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OR NOT. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 FORD RANGER. FOR THE LAST YEAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THE DOOR SENSORS FAILING, INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING OR NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH, AND ANTI-THEFT LIGHT FLASHING (I DO NOT HAVE AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM, JUST A FLASHING RED LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD). THEN A MONTH AGO, I CAME TO A STOP SIGN, STOPPED, AND TURNED ON THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND STAYED ON AND THEN TWO PUFFS OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. I DROVE A MILE TO MY HOME AND SHUT THE TRUCK OFF. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS HOT TO THE TOUCH BUT I DID NOT SEE ANY OTHER EVIDENCE OF A FIRE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERING THAT THE FORD EXPLORER HAD A RECALLED MULTI-SWITCH, LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN, I HAD THE MULTI-SWITCH REPLACED IN MY RANGER. THE DOOR SENSORS STILL DON'T WORK (THE DOME LIGHT STAYS ON), BUT ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY MORE SMOKE. THIS MONTH'S ISSUE OF CONSUMER REPORTS NOTED A RECALL FOR FORD RANGERS FROM 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 FOR A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MY RANGER DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL; HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE SAME MULTI-SWITCH. *TR

VEHICLE FIRE 2000 FORD RANGER P/U CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGE SWITCH CAUSED FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AT THE TIME 2 PM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD RANGER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. HE PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH SAND AND WATER. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

SPEED CONTROL ON WHEEL FAILED THROWING THE TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST GEAR, JUST LIKE THE RECENT RECALL ON NEWER FORD PICKUPS I WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT.

IN OUR 2000 FORD RANGER, THE DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY REMAINS ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF. THE LIGHT AND THE "DOOR AJAR" INDICATOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY REMAIN ON WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS NIGHT-DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS HAS DRAINED THE CAR'S BATTERY, STRANDING THE OWNER. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER AND COUNTLESS TIMES SINCE THIS PROBLEM BEGAN IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. THIS FAILURE WAS UNPROVOKED, NO INDICATOR OF ANY OTHER PROBLEM WAS GIVEN AND THE DRIVER IS AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WITHOUT TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. *JB

2000 FORD RANGER HAD SMOKE SEEPING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHENEVER THE CONSUMER WOULD USE HIS TURN SIGNAL.*MR THE CONSUMER SAW NEW COVERAGE ON RECALL OF SOME FORD TRUCK. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ALTHOUGH HER VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *NM

SRS LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON NOW, MAY BE DUE TO USING SWITCH TO TURN OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG A COUPLE OF TIMES OR DRIVING WITH IT OFF. NOW THE ALERT LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER DOESN'T LIGHT EITHER. OTHER PROBLEM IS ENGINE KNOCKING EVEN THOUGH THIS 2000 RANGER HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN BABIED ON SUPER PREMIUM GAS. I FEEL THAT FORDS TEND TO FAIL JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, THESE PROBLEMS HAPPENED LITERALLY AT THE MARK OF 36,000 MILES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THEM!

WATER INTRUSION ISSUE ON CONNECTORS 309 AND 304 UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. THESE CONNECTORS PROVIDE VEHICLE SPEED INFORMATION TO THE 4WABS MODULE 4 WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE THE DSS PROVIDES VEHICLE SPEED TO THE 4WABS. THIS INFORMATION IS USED FOR OTHER MODULES SUCH AS PCM FOR TRANSMISSION SHIFTING WATER IN THIS CONNECTOR CAN CAUSE ERRONEOUS CODES AND DRIVABILITY ISSUES. *LA

I HAD A BATTERY THAT WENT OUT IN 7/2003 COULD HAVE BEEN A 50/50 CHANCE OF WEATHER RELATED. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003 COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. PLEASE NOTE MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPX 26,000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BEARINGS TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 29,500 ON IT. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT IS VERY, VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TOO OCCUR. MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WHO KNOWS WHEN THIS COULD HAVE ACTUALLY STARTED. NOTICED THERE WERE A FEW OTHER ISSUES ABOUT ALTERNATERS. DEALERSHIP VERY HELPFUL. FORD JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE AND BRUSHES IT OFF THAT IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM. THINK THAT MOST OF THE TIME FORD SEEMS TO RELATE THIS ISSUE TO WEAR & TEAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE. MOST PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE THEY CAN FILE A CLAIM W/YOU. PLEASE PROVIDE ME ANY ASSISTANCE. IT WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED. ONE LAST NOTE, WHEN I SPOKE W/FORD REP THEY TOLD ME IF I PURCHASED A FEW MORE HIGH END VEHICLES, PERHAPS THEY WOULD WARRANTY THIS. FORD SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT THIS PERSON DOESN'T WORK IN THEIR MARKETING DEPT. ;)...THANKS FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *AK

WHEN I TURNED ON MY TURN SIGNAL SMOKE WOULD COME UP OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN THROUGH THE HAZARD SWTICH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. *AK

I WENT THROUGH 3 SUPPOSEDLY NEW ALTERNATORS WITHIN ONE MONTH. DEALERSHIPS IN BOTH TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA DENIED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ALTERNATORS AND REFUSED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THEM AT NO CHARGE. I PAID FOR THREE ALTERNATORS IN ONE MONTH!!!! DON'T TELL ME THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. ALSO, THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE NEW (I WAS CHARGED OVER $500 FOR IT) BUT AFTER IT FAILED AND WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A REBUILT ALTERNATOR. WHY DID THE DEALERSHIP CHARGE ME FOR A NEW ONE, AND WHY WASN'T I REFUNDED ANY MONEY?!?! ALSO, I HAVE WILDERNESS HT P225/10/R15 TIRES. THEY ALWAYS SQUEAL WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS OR OVER SPEED BUMPS, NO MATTER HOW SLOW I AM GOING. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM? I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM. THANKS FOR THE HELP. *LA

MY FORD RANGER HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN I TURN ON MY TURNING SIGNAL SMOKE RISES FROM MY STEERING COLUMN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SOMEDAYS IT WILL NOT (THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE). THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND I TURNED ON MY TURNING SIGNAL AND WHEN I DID MY ABS KICKED IN THE ABS LIGHT ON MY DASH TURNED ON. I WAS ABLE TO GET MY TRUCK TO CHUG UP TO THE GAS STATION OFF THE NEXT EXIT. MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. MY HUSBAND HAS A 1999 FORD RANGER AND HE HAS EXPERIENCED SMOKE FROM HIS TURN SIGNAL ALSO, AS WELL AS HIS WINDSHEILD WIPERS TURNING ON SPONTANIOUSLY (OFTEN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED).

THE POSITIVE WIRE CONNECTED TO THE ALTERNATOR OF A 2000 FORD RANGER WITH 39000 MILES BURNED CAUSING A FIRE. ACCORDING TO FORD, SOMETHING IN THE ALTERNATOR SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE ALTERNATOR TO CONTINUOUSLY CHARGE THE BATTERY UNTIL THE WIRING OVERHEATED, SHORTED OUT, SPARKING A FIRE. THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. AFTER CONTACTING FORD'S CONSUMER COMPLAINT SYSTEM, FORD DECLINED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM TO MY SATISFACTION. THEY BASICALLY WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THE ISSUE STATING IT WAS NOT A FORD DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT I COULD NOT ELEVATE THE PROBLEM TO ANY OTHER LEVEL WITHIN FORD. *JB

THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON AS WELL AS THE BUZZER. AT ONE TIME, THE DOME LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AND THE BATTERY WENT DEAD! *NM

WHILE CHANGING OIL CONSUMER SAW BATTERY ACID ON GROUND, BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK