'02 Ford Ranger 2.3L thermostat $150!!! Help?

[doitmyself]

My son's '02 Ford Ranger temp. gauge moves just a bit, then stays in the cool zone. It did throw a code (I don't have it) that AZ said was for thermostat or sensor?

A google search suggests a bad thermostat.

The thermostat is part of complete sensor assembly that costs between $100 (Chinese Stant??) and $130 (Ebay Ford Motorcraft).

Any help here? Looks like one of the lamest designs ever (Some Focus's share this). Not easy to service either.

As always, THANKS!

 

[Drew99GT]

"My son's '02 Ford Ranger temp. gauge moves just a bit, then stays in the cool zone"

Is it overheating? Exactly what is the gauge doing?

 

[doitmyself]

It does not seem to be over heating. Coolant level is fine. The gauge just does not come up to the middle/normal range even after driving a good while.

This link is one of many google hits:
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Fall2009/electronic_thermostat.htm

One guy said he did some kind of "work around" and did away with this electronic sensor thermostat, but I couldn't find any details.

 

[jsnyder49090]

as long as the mounting pad is the same do away with that [censored] quick.Thats UNREAL, FORD FOR YOU THATS WHY I DONT DRIVE THE JUNK! I would change intakes before i bought that part and hook up a regular gauge

 

[salv]

it is what it is. thermostat and housing, and i would add a cooling system flush. be perpared to spend $250+ if there is a genuine overheating issue and all other components test good.

 

[bdcardinal]

Yup sounds about right, sell a ton of those. Mazda uses the same design on their 4cyl motors. Just be glad it isn't a 4.0L V6 where the t-stat is in the whole housing with sensors and the latest revision of the part is 396.50 MSRP.

 

[jsnyder49090]

rock auto has it for 125.00 there is atleast 5% codes off on here it could be worse i guess.

 

[dave1251]

Get one on E-bay quick!

 

[NHGUY]

The 2.3 is a Mazda engine.Shame Ford cant make their own 4s anymore,that might not have been designed that way....although if the 4.0 is that way,I guess Ford has learned too much (the wrong stuff) from their buds in Japan.

 

[Eddie]

I think I would do a test with hot water to see if it works before spending that amount of money. Pan of bolling water and a thermometer will do it.

 

[doitmyself]

Thanks everyone. jsnyder, the Rock Auto link sounds like the best bet for a Motorcraft replacement.

Eddie, from my initial investigation it looks like the part might take an hour or more to get off.(will be an all day job for ME

). It also seems that besides the thermostat failing, the electrical sensor part of the unit can go haywire also.

Any tips for replacement procedure? I haven't googled it thoroughly yet, but it looks like the fan, fan clutch, and radiator shroud must be removed.

 

[rshaw125]

4.0 V6??? I recently replaced mine in an Explorer. Very easy. A few bolts old out new in. Less than $10.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: rshaw125
4.0 V6??? I recently replaced mine in an Explorer. Very easy. A few bolts old out new in. Less than $10.

Which 4.0 V6? The 4.0 SOHC or 4.0 pushrod engine? What year Explorer?

 

[Billy_D]

The newer Mazda 2.3l 2004+ uses a $40-$46 thermostat (Part number LF70-15-170).

Mazda Dealership link

Ebay link

 

[daves66nova]

Check the electrical connection for corrosion.There's a common problem on saturns where the sensor cracks and leaks coolant onto the connection and makes it register as cool all the time,wasting a lot of gas.

 

[doitmyself]

Thanks.

Billy007, your idea might be part of the "work around" I am investigating. One guy said he installed the newer (non sensor) thermostat from the '04/'05 models, but had to do some electrical changes to avoid throwing codes. It might be more trouble than it is worth.

dave66nova - I will check for loose or corroded sensor terminals first.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: Billy007
The newer Mazda 2.3l 2004+ uses a $40-$46 thermostat (Part number LF70-15-170).

Mazda Dealership link

Ebay link


My work is a Mazda dealer also, the Mazda one you pointed out for the 3's will not work on a Ranger, we tried that already.

The example I gave in a previous post was a 4.0 SOHC V6 around 2000-2001ish. The part number is YU3Z-8a586-AA, check it out to see the awesomeness. The newer 4.0 SOHCs we replace the whole housing usually since they are plastic and leak if you reuse the cover or base.

 

[brelandt]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Yup sounds about right, sell a ton of those. Mazda uses the same design on their 4cyl motors. Just be glad it isn't a 4.0L V6 where the t-stat is in the whole housing with sensors and the latest revision of the part is 396.50 MSRP.


Just had one in my shop a month ago! We where all laughing at the design!

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: brelandt
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Yup sounds about right, sell a ton of those. Mazda uses the same design on their 4cyl motors. Just be glad it isn't a 4.0L V6 where the t-stat is in the whole housing with sensors and the latest revision of the part is 396.50 MSRP.


Just had one in my shop a month ago! We where all laughing at the design!


Sad thing is, I keep 2 in stock and sell usually 3 a week.

 

[mechtech2]

OK... there may be nothing wrong with the thermostat. It may be a sender, wiring, , or gauge problem. Maybe even the control voltage is off.
Sorry if you really DO have to get a new thermostat..
You'd also have to change your name to Ben Dover.