I have a 2002 Ranger Edge. I have a few problems I just can't get to the root of. There is a rough driving issue. When going anywhere the engine starts to run rough and eventually stops miss behaving. Sometimes its when I start out and other times at certain speeds. My buddy says it sounds like the sensor in the gas tank may have an intermittent short. Of course I would have to take the bed off to get to this I've been told. Yay. Another guy says its the speed sensor but this doesn't make any sense to me.because my old Chrysler had a speed sensor problem and it dropped graveyard dead. My next problem is the gear shift lever on the column. The wife was driving us back from town yesterday and a screw fell out (t30 torx head with threads halfway to the end if that helps) and now the gear shift is all wonky. I can get it in park to stop and start and I can get into reverse and drive but nothing is lining up on the indicator. The cable to the indicator is in fine shape and when I pull down on it it with my finger it goes all the way to "P". The shifter seems loose and I have taken everything off from below the steering wheel to expose the innards. I watched a few YouTube videos but not much help. I'd love to park the old girl but I'm on Veterans disability and don't make near enough to get something else to drive right now.
Thanks in advance
Ron in Florida

 

I can't help with the rough running, but the T30 torx bolt is a common problem. It goes at the end of the shift tube, and holds the piece that moves the shifter cable and also the gear indicator. I have circled the location of the bolt in the photo below. You will have to crawl under the dash and look up with a flashlight in order to see them. I recommend re-installing them with some medium strength Loctite to keep them from backing out again.

 

2002 Ford Ranger had 3 engine options
2.3l DOHC I4
3.0l Vulcan V6
4.0l SOHC V6

Which one do you have?

 

2002 Ranger Edge had two.

 

Not the point but I will accept the correction, LOL