2002 Ford Ranger 2.3l

[cfz2882]

Not my truck-a co-worker just bought this:2.3L DOHC engine,2wd,base model only 64,000 miles,runs/drives like new.just wondering if anyone knows of anything to look out for with these trucks.

 

[jmm63]

We had a 00 Ranger step side 4wd. Unfortunately, it was pretty trouble prone its whole life. Some areas of repeat repairs on ours were upper/lower ball joints, rocker arms, front suspension components. Body hardware like door handles, hood release, tailgate. The 4wd system eventually just stopped working. Electrical problems popped up every now and then, like alternator, starter. The engine and transmission were always strong even up to the very end. What did it in finally was rust. The brake lines were rusting and couldn't be repaired without major $$ and finally, one of the rear springs popped up through the bedliner, tilting the rear at on odd angle. That's when we stopped driving it. Now mind you, it was 13 years old at the time and 189,000 miles on it.

 

[norgeway]

Donald drives a 06

It just turned 294000 miles and we just got back from New Jersey in it...Same clutch, valve cover never taken off, its had 1 fuel pump, 1 alternator, brakes done twice, new ball joints and the ac rebuilt,,,and that's it! Best vehicle ever and we are driving it to St Louis soon.

 

[combo52]

Things to watch out for with a ford ranger pick up truck

Basically anything in front of you, a front end Crash in these is almost sure death for the driver and passenger.

John

 

[norgeway]

????

Not quite Donald wrecked his last one, a 04, he was blinded by the sun and ran it into the back of a tractor and trailer at about 45, pushed the body off the frame but he didn't get a scratch., the airbags and seat belt worked.

 

[iheartmaytag]

The company I used to work for ran a fleet of Rangers

The trouble that came up the most with them was the rear engine oil seal. Other than that, they drove the poo out of them. Not the most comfortable long haul rider, but was economical for the needs of the district managers.

 

[ea56]

I owned a 2002 Ranger brand new for about 13 mo. and I found it to be a great little truck to drive, no problems at all. The only thing I didn’t care for was the governer that limited the speed to 92 mph. Now I know that we shouldn’t be driving that fast, but sometimes it may be necessary to exceed 92 mph briefly, and that option should still be available. Once I was passing a slow vehicle that decided to speed up, and the Ranger flat spotted at 92, and fortunately I was able to drop back and avoid an accident.

Eddie

 

[cfz2882]

one issue did come up...

"SES"light comes on when truck warms up,pulled codes indicate faulty 02 sensor,also,possibly related,engine will idle down,shudder and stall sometimes when pulling up to a light.

 

[goatfarmer]

I had a 2000 Ranger a few years ago. Pretty reliable, only major problem was that the speedometer would only go to 50, then start dropping to 0. Had to have a new ECM, which was about a $700.00 repair. I ended up selling it because of a lot of rust. Mine was a 3.0 V6, with a 5 speed trans.

 

[cfz2882]

idle problem possibly fixed

A new o2 sensor was installed and seems to have fixed the stalling problem.A rattling sound could be heard from the top of the engine at idle-almost sounded like a valvetrain problem,but investigated online and found the noise is likely some plastic flappers inside the intake manifold fluttering.

 

[dartman]

. My 95 Neon did the same idle down to nothing at a stop sign. Automatic and all that and it would just keep dropping rpm and die. I had to two foot it and pop it in neutral if it did it and restart it while rolling to a stop. On mine it was the EGR valve I think sticking open and leaning everything out. I plugged the vacuum line that runs it and left everything else plugged in so computer would be happy. It now never dies and still passes emission testing just fine, very clean. I had already replaced the map sensor and IAC valve with no improvement. I don't know if the Ranger uses anything similar but if it crops up again might want to check if it uses a EGR valve setup at all and try disabling it. I now get a EGR complaint on the check engine light when it self tests the EGR system and does not get the value it expects but it goes out after 25 starts without tripping and I can reset it with my code reader. Other than that it runs smoothly and has plenty of power for what it is.

 

[cfz2882]

EGR

I thing there is an EGR valve on the ranger-that will be checked if idle problem comes back.Cool you still have an early Neon going-those are pretty much gone from my area.Didn't the DOHC neon have something like 150 HP?- lots of power for a ~2500LB car

 

[cfz2882]

solved

New O2 sensor fixed it.

 

[dartman]

Neon

I have the sohc version but 95 only in that engine got a hotter cam so it has about 136hp with better low end than the Dohc version. It was designed to beat the Honda civic that year and had at least 15 or more hp so they were successful but Daimler also cheapened out the parts and one was a cheaper head gasket then Chrysler was going to use. Because of that they got a bad reputation even though most were under recall and replaced free with the better one they wanted to use. Mine was replaced with 70k on it and hasn't been touched since with 185k on it now.
I have had to replace two 02 sensors, a cam sensor twice, and the crank sensor, plus the rear main seal at about 160k. I did the water pump and timing belt at 155k and the pump had never been replaced to that point even with 2 or three belts since new. My lil sister bought it new after I told her which options to get, bigger tires, auto, 2 door coupe. She upgraded and I bought it in 2005 with 150k on it. It handles great, stops well, and is pretty quick for what it is. Parts are cheap and easy to replace.