
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed or properly re-installed fuel filler cap
depending on driving and fuel tank level conditions.Refer toFuel
filler cap in theMaintenance and Specifications chapter.
Brake system warning light: To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level or a failure to
brake proportioning and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected; have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the
safety belt unbuckled.
•After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three
seconds.
6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off,
buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
• This will disable BeltMinder if it is currently enabled, or enable
BeltMinder if it is currently disabled.
7. Confirmation of disabling BeltMinder is provided by the safety belt
warning light flashing four times per second for three seconds.
8. Confirmation of enabling BeltMinder is provided by:
• The safety belt warning light flashing four times per second for three
seconds.
• Followed by three seconds with the safety belt warning light off.
• Once again, the safety belt warning light will flash four times per
second for three seconds.
9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is
complete.
Safety belt maintenance
Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, tears or cuts. Replace if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front safety belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if
equipped), child safety seat LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching
hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Ford Motor Company
recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in
a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and a
qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage and
continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety
belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and
replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
The energy absorbing functions may have been activated in a collision so
the restraints should be examined; if the front air bags have deployed,
the pretensioners have also deployed and must be replaced —regardless
of whether there was an occupant in the passenger seat or not.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
73

Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking; this is
normal and should be no reason for concern.
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated immediately, allowing you to retain
full steering control during hard braking and on slippery surfaces.
However, the ABS does not decrease stopping distance.
ABS warning lamp
ABS
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system
serviced immediately.)
Parking brake
To set the parking brake (1), press
the parking brake pedal down until
the pedal stops.
ABS
!
BRAKE
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
101

When climbing a steep slope or hill,
start in a lower gear rather than
downshifting to a lower gear from a
higher gear once the ascent has
started. This reduces strain on the
engine and the possibility of stalling.
If you do stall out, do not try to
turn around because you might roll
over. It is better to back down to a
safe location.
Apply just enough power to the
wheels to climb the hill. Too much
power will cause the tires to slip,
spin or lose traction, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
Descend a hill in the same gear you
would use to climb up the hill to
avoid excessive brake application
and brake overheating. Do not
descend in neutral; instead,
disengage overdrive or manually
shift to a lower gear. When
descending a steep hill, avoid
sudden hard braking as you could
lose control. When you brake hard,
the front wheels can’t turn and if
they aren ’t turning, you won ’tbe
able to steer. The front wheels have to be turning in order to steer the
vehicle. Rapid pumping of the brake pedal will help you slow the vehicle
and still maintain steering control.
Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS), apply the brakes steadily. Do not “pump ”the brakes.
Driving on snow and ice
4WD vehicles have advantages over 2WD vehicles in snow and ice but
can skid like any other vehicle.
Should you start to slide while driving on snowy or icy roads, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the slide until you regain control.
Avoid sudden applications of power and quick changes of direction on
snow and ice. Apply the accelerator slowly and steadily when starting
from a full stop.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
115

Avoid sudden braking as well. Although a 4WD vehicle may accelerate
better than a two-wheel drive vehicle in snow and ice, it won’t stop any
faster, because as in other vehicles, braking occurs at all four wheels. Do
not become overconfident as to road conditions.
Make sure you allow sufficient distance between you and other vehicles
for stopping. Drive slower than usual and consider using one of the lower
gears. Your vehicle is equipped with a Four Wheel Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS); apply the brake steadily. Do not “pump ”the brakes. Refer
to the Brakes section of this chapter for additional information on the
operation of the anti-lock brake system.
Never drive with chains on the front tires of 4WD vehicles without also
putting them on the rear tires. This could cause the rear to slide and
swing around during braking.
Tires, Replacement Requirements
Do not use a size and type of tire and wheel other than that
originally provided by Ford Motor Company because it can affect
the safety and performance of your vehicle, which could result in an
increased risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, and/or serious
personal injury or death.
Make sure all tires and wheels on the vehicle are of the same size, type,
tread design and load-carrying capacity. If you have questions regarding
tire replacement, see an authorized Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
If you nevertheless decide to equip your 4WD for off-road use with tires
larger than what Ford Motor Company recommends, you should not use
these tires for highway driving.
If you use any tire/wheel combination not recommended by Ford Motor
Company, it may adversely affect vehicle handling and could cause
steering, suspension, axle or transfer case failure as well as the increased
risk of loss of vehicle control.
Do not use “aftermarket lift kits ”or other suspension modifications,
whether or not they are used with larger tires and wheels.
These “aftermarket lift kits ”could adversely affect the vehicle ’s handling
characteristics, which could lead to loss of vehicle control or rollover and
serious injury.
Tires can be damaged during off-road use. For your safety, tires that are
damaged should not be used for highway driving because they are more
likely to blow out or fail.
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
116

Fuse/RelayLocation Fuse Amp
Rating Passenger Compartment Fuse
Panel Description
11 10A Smart Junction Box (SJB) (Logic power)
12 15A Center console subwoofer amplifier
13 15A Horn, Interior lamps
14 15A High beam headlamp, High beam indicator (cluster)
15 —One-touch down relay
16 30A cartridge fusePower windows
17 15A Turn signals/Hazards
18 —Not used
19 20A Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL)/Stop lamps
20 10A Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, Brake-shift interlock,
Speed control module, Back-up
lamps, Overdrive cancel switch,
Electronic flasher (turn/hazard)
21 5A Starter relay
22 5A Spare
23 30A Headlamps (low and high beam)
24 20A Radio
25 —Accessory relay
26 2A Brake pressure switch
27 10A Climate control blower relay/blend doors, 4x4 module
28 15A 4x4 module B+
29 20A Cigar lighter or power point, Diagnostic connector (OBD II)
30 5A Power mirrors
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
137

Fuse/RelayLocation Fuse Amp
Rating Power Distribution Box
Description
14 —Not used
15 30A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) (solenoids)
16 —Not used
17 40A** ABS (motor)
18 —Not used
19 20A** Engine fan
20 —Not used
21 10A* PCM
22 —Not used
23 20A* Fuel pump
24 —Not used
25 10A* A/C clutch solenoid
26 —Not used
27 —Not used
28 —Not used
29 —Not used
30 —Not used
31 —Not used
32 —Not used
33 —Not used
34 —Not used
35 —Not used
36 —Not used
37 —Not used
38 7.5A* Trailer tow (right turn)
39 —Not used
40 —Not used
41 15A* HEGOs
42 7.5A* Trailer tow (left turn)
43 —Not used
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
140

Fuse/RelayLocation Fuse Amp
Rating Power Distribution Box
Description
14 —Not used
15 30A** Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) (solenoids)
16 —Not used
17 40A** ABS (motor)
18 —Not used
19 —Not used
20 —Not used
21 10A* PCM
22 —Not used
23 20A* Fuel pump
24 —Not used
25 10A* A/C clutch solenoid
26 —Not used
27 20A* 4x4 module
28 —Not used
29 —Not used
30 —Not used
31 15A* Foglamps
32 —Not used
33 —Not used
34 —Not used
35 —Not used
36 —Not used
37 —Not used
38 7.5A* Trailer tow (right turn)
39 —Not used
40 —Not used
41 15A* HEGOs
42 7.5A* Trailer tow (left turn)
43 —Not used
2004 Ranger (ran)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Roadside Emergencies
143