Brake light, wiper problem

[traveler137]

Hello,
I am new to this forum. I am also a new owner of a very nice 1999 Ford Ranger 4x4 Supercab 4 door, with a 3.0L with a 5 speed.

It came to me with a couple of annoying problems.

The first is that the windshield wipers come on whenever they feel like it. Maybe activated by going over a bump in the road?

The second problem is that when I accelerate hard, when the engine reaches 3,500 -4,000 RPM'S, the battery light comes on, and the truck seems to have reduced power, or there is a strain on the electriccal system.

The third problem is that the gas gauge stays at the full position.

The truck has a 4" body lift kit. I am wondering if this has a bearing on any of the problems?
Any advice will be highly appreciated. Thanks

 

[rwenzing]

The "Phantom Wipers" is a common problem for 99 Rangers. You can clean out the Multifunction Switch or there may be a service campaign for defective MS's for you truck Check with a Ford dealer to find out if your year Ranger is covered. One symptom they may be looking for is smoke from the switch - be sure to mention it....

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/phantomwipers.htm
http://www.fordf150.net/howto/fix-intermittent-wiper-problem.php

Possible loose alternator wiring or alternator/regulator going bad for the second problem.

One reason that a fuel level gauge will go to full scale is an open circuit to the sending unit or its ground. Given the fact that the truck has a body lift, I would check the wiring along the DS frame rail for installation damage and verify that the ground wire is good. The ground wire terminates at the bolted ground point on the radiator bulkhead near the battery.