I know it is very rare when the engine light stays on in fords. not! well I have a 1996 ford ranger splash. I love it. I have made a nice material rack and installed some sharp tool boxes on it. Use it for my welding business. But I can not get the engine light to go off. It sucks too because last year and this year I could not get it through inspection. In PA you have to go to a mechanic to inspect your vehicle. After the first mechanic tried to fix it by replace all kinds of o2 sensors and vac lines it stayed off for all of two hours. Then a second mechanic replaced this and that it stayed off for about twenty four hours. Then I took it to a dealership hoping they could get it to go off. They did but again only for a few hours. I have gotten a waiver for the inspection. But I guess there is nothing I can do.
Also have a problem with the electrical system which just started. sometimes I need a jump and the oil pressure gage is jumping around sometimes when I am driving.alternator?

thanks,
Bill

Good morning, Bill.

Go to an auto parts store and have them retrieve your codes. Post them here and ask for (and you will receive) assistance.

Your alternator can be tested in the vehicle at that same helpful auto parts store. It may be as simple as a battery cable or poor ground from corrosion.

Your oil presssure gage is probably the Oil Pressure sending unit (switch), a less than $20 part. Especially if it flickers during idle, though we can't really rule out an oil pump problem until you replace the sending unit or put a pressure gage on there to check the presssure. FWIW, the sending unit is really an 8 psi. pressure switch.

PS. many auto parts stores do these services for free.

Welcome to RPS. Lots of knowledgeable folks here willing to help a fellow Ranger "get well".

thanks earl.

replaced the batery cable it was bad. I will try to get the codes. I guess you need that small computer that plugs under the dash?

the oil pressure gage violently bounces around when I shift the manual transmission then returns to midway. I will check to see if one of my buds can check the oil pressure.

funny how back in the day I could figure this stuff out my self. I don't even know what is going on in there now.

great site
thanks again.

Yeah, I'd have a sending unit on hand if you are going to check the pressure (<$15 for the part).

You'll use the port that the sender came out of to check the pressure.....

See where I'm going with this, old school? We can still do it, we just had to get smarter, more tools, and oh my achin' back, leaning under that hood!!!

Oh, and if it's a 3.0, the sender is aft of the Pass side head. Have to use a mirror to see it, between the head and the firewall, all touch, no see. Ah, the fun.

Yeah, wait until you have to lie across your engine compartment with both feet waving in the air to be able to reach something, because you can't get at it from below. :)

After the first mechanic tried to fix it by replace all kinds of o2 sensors and vac lines it stayed off for all of two hours. Then a second mechanic replaced this and that it stayed off for about twenty four hours. Then I took it to a dealership hoping they could get it to go off. They did but again only for a few hours. I have gotten a waiver for the inspection. But I guess there is nothing I can do.

I guess word of these nifty inventions known as code readers has not spread to Pennsylvania yet? I know the Amish frown upon modern amenities, but still...a lousy shop and a lousy stealership. I would have bet on the stealership giving lousier service.

Any of your PA guys who know a good mechanic, feel free to chime in here...