Getting my old sport trac back

[hatterhead]

Gave my son my 2004 sport trac 10 years ago. He is now getting a new car and offered to give it back to me. It now has 190,000 miles on it and he did very little to maintain it. I'm on the fence as to whether it would be worth it since it probably needs lots of work. Any thoughts about what replacing engine/transmission/brakes etc. might cost in this day and age.

 

[Josh P]

You'd easily be into it for more than it is worth. Registration, insurance would be cheaper and it would also be cheaper than a new car payment. How is the condition of the body and interior?

 

[Fix4Dirt]

Gave my son my 2004 sport trac 10 years ago. He is now getting a new car and offered to give it back to me. It now has 190,000 miles on it and he did very little to maintain it. I'm on the fence as to whether it would be worth it since it probably needs lots of work. Any thoughts about what replacing engine/transmission/brakes etc. might cost in this day and age.

Is timing chan rattling, etc? Hows the color of the trans fluid, oil, etc?

 

[BrooklynBay]

What was the mileage when you gave it to him?

 

[hatterhead]

You'd easily be into it for more than it is worth. Registration, insurance would be cheaper and it would also be cheaper than a new car payment. How is the condition of the body and interior?

Body and interior are just OK. Not too worried about the cosmetics, just plan on using it for Home Depot runs and anything I might need a pickup for.

 

[hatterhead]

What was the mileage when you gave it to him?

Not really sure but I think the mileage was around 60,000 when he took it over.

 

[Josh P]

Does it need an engine and transmission, meaning there's symptoms starting to develop that might leave you walking or is some of this just age related preemptive maintenance?

 

[410Fortune]

190 is a good chunk of miles… but we see these trucks reach 250-350k all the time
Did he change the oil? That is the real question
The rest of the truck can take some neglect and still hold up… cheap to repair
A 2004 sohc engine and trans is pretty damn tough I see them go a lot of miles
To some of us a 04 trac is a very nice rig… the best of the best! Last year of a very good platform (05 doesn’t count)

 

[hatterhead]

Is timing chan rattling, etc? Hows the color of the trans fluid, oil, etc?

I won't know until I get it from him next week.

Does it need an engine and transmission, meaning there's symptoms starting to develop that might leave you walking or is some of this just age related preemptive maintenance?

I'll know more after I get it home next week. He did say that the engine was very noisy. He also took it to a mechanic that did a diagnostic but couldn't determine the issues. the mechanic did mentioned that it could be the computer.

 

[410Fortune]

Noisy engine does not equal computer

Interesting mechanic

Popcorn emoji

 

[hatterhead]

Got the truck home and it does have a few problems. Check engine light is on, and the fuel gauge reads full but it has half a tank. Also the cluster is displaying 'low fuel'. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the fuel pump/sensor and that fixed the engine light issue and the 'low fuel' indicator. The fuel gauge still stays pegged as full. Dealer seems to think the display is bad and wants over $1000 to replace it. Pretty sure it might just be a stepper motor issue in the cluster. Taking it tomorrow to get smog tested. Hopefully it passes and after that I can start to address some of the major issues.

 

[Josh P]

Got the truck home and it does have a few problems. Check engine light is on, and the fuel gauge reads full but it has half a tank. Also the cluster is displaying 'low fuel'. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the fuel pump/sensor and that fixed the engine light issue and the 'low fuel' indicator. The fuel gauge still stays pegged as full. Dealer seems to think the display is bad and wants over $1000 to replace it. Pretty sure it might just be a stepper motor issue in the cluster. Taking it tomorrow to get smog tested. Hopefully it passes and after that I can start to address some of the major issues.

If the pcm was reset, you'll need to put some miles on it, otherwise they'll fail you for a not ready status. How does the motor sound?

 

[410Fortune]

The “dealer” can test the signal from the fuel tank level sender and see what ohm value is being sent this should tell you if the issue is in the tank or in the cluster

We can get your into your cluster and fixed for less then $100 usually. You can have the instrument cluster out of one of these trucks in 20 minutes working slowly
(My stepson has crushed two 2004 sport tracs recently)! But before you go replacing anything the signal needs to be tested.
Should have tested the fuel gauge before the pump / tank was re installed…..hello dealership????

 

[Josh P]

Should have tested the fuel gauge before the pump / tank was re installed…..hello dealership????

That's how you get repeat business.

 

[hatterhead]

If the pcm was reset, you'll need to put some miles on it, otherwise they'll fail you for a not ready status. How does the motor sound?

The dealer put some miles on it and it passed smog today. Fuel gauge still shows full, but everything else seems to be OK.

Now I have to find out why I have a clunking sound whenever I turn left or right. Sounds like it is coming from the rear. Almost sounds like there is something loose in the muffler. Is this a possible cause? Any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[hatterhead]

The “dealer” can test the signal from the fuel tank level sender and see what ohm value is being sent this should tell you if the issue is in the tank or in the cluster

We can get your into your cluster and fixed for less then $100 usually. You can have the instrument cluster out of one of these trucks in 20 minutes working slowly
(My stepson has crushed two 2004 sport tracs recently)! But before you go replacing anything the signal needs to be tested.
Should have tested the fuel gauge before the pump / tank was re installed…..hello dealership????

Would like to get the cluster fixed. What is involved?

 

[410Fortune]

Hang tight I’ll get my wiring book out over morning coffee

 

[410Fortune]

Allright here we go instrument cluster fuel gauge wiring 02-04 sport and trac

At the back of the cluster is three connectors you want the 12 to in connector and pin 12 is yellow with white tracer, this is the signal from the fuel level sender after it leaves the tank and runs up to the cluster then it goes into the anti slosh module and finally to the gauge

In a 02-04 the ohm readings should be:
16 ohm empty 160 ohm full

Your half tank should be somewhere between, this will tell us the sender is the tank is not the issue

To get to the cluster you will need a 7mm and a 8mm
You will remove the hood latch and plastic knee guard, followed by the metal knee guard. (Under steering wheel)
Then remove the radio bezel (two 7mm)
Now you can remove the dash cluster bezel (the piece with the light switch in it) a hunch of 7mm including three
Going vertical in front of the cluster. Tilt the wheel down and you can pull the entire piece and unplug the light switch and dimmer

Now you are looking at the cluster it is held in with 4 7mm, the shift indicator and the 3 wire plugs on back

I can have it out in a few minutes. It might take most people half hour or so and then mess with the gauge indicator for a few
Minutes lol

I am sure there is a how to on this forum somewhere about how to take the dash apart …or YouTube 95-01 explorer 98-11
Ranger aimilar

 

[410Fortune]

You will need an ohm meter so we can see why signal is being sent from the fuel pump sender to peg the gauge to full it would be at the top of the ohm scale (160)

Since the low fuel light is not on we are guessing you have an issue with the actual fuel instrument and may need to replace it… this is why I had you pull the whole
Cluster instead of checking the ohms upstream

I can send you a new fuel gauge portion of the cluster if you end up needing one should be same part 01-04

Sometimes
Just pulling the fuel gauge module from the cluster and re seating it can fix issues, the needle could by physically stuck and just need cleaned, who knows?

Once you have the cluster in your hands I can help you take it apart

 

[410Fortune]

Here is a good thread about testing fuel level ohm on a similar 04 ranger

Help with gas gauge 04 xlt 4.0 4x4 - Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource

General Technical & Electrical - Help with gas gauge 04 xlt 4.0 4x4 - When key is turned to run position but not started the gauge moves a tiny bit but still shows empty, idk If it's a short or grounded to chassis some where or just a bad sending unit if anybody can shed some light on diagnosis...

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