Are you one of many T6 Ford Ranger owners who are troubled by the truck’s annoying buzzing or rattling sounds? Is the buzzing noise intermittent? Are you experiencing a rattling noise coming from the top of your dashboard? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, this article might offer a solution for you.
The T6 model Ford Ranger emits a buzzing noise at low RPM when operating temperatures are low. This is a fuel injection characteristic caused by the High-pressure common-rail with a fuel pressure of 1800 bar and fuel injectors operating in split-shot mode.
Since the engine noise isn’t consistent, it leads many owners to be concerned and left with the impression something is faulty. One reason for this behavior is that the T6 uses injector split-mode technology. Injector split-mode is what happens when the Ranger is idling and driving under low operating temperature and low RPMs. It’s called split mode because a portion of the gas in the injector is designed to exit through a split vent. This basically means that a bit of gas will be vaporized and escape through the split vent.
Let’s look at the buzzing in more detail.
2019 ford ranger buzzing noise
All engine designs have their own unique characteristics and the Ranger is no exclusion. The buzzing noise many owners have reported can be described as follows:
Noise Description
The noise sounds electronic in nature. It’s not over intrusive, however, it can be heard from inside the cabin to the trained ear. The noise is being emitted from behind the firewall, coming directly from the engine compartment.
Upon closer inspection, the buzz appears to come from the top of the engine near the injectors. Many T6 Ranger owners report the noise to be distracting and annoying on colder days when ambient temperatures are below 30F. The buzz is reported to be in sync with the engine RPM and during idle.
Let’s look at a few real-world experiences to get a better idea.
User Experience
User experience #1
So whenever I accelerate, the second my foot touches the gas I get a buzz almost like audio static or an electrical crackle that’s different and louder than the engine up to maybe 4000 rpm. At higher speeds it’s not noticeable, but it’s all I can hear up to maybe 20 mph.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/engine-buzz-at-low-speeds-rpm.3161/
User experience #2
I just started noticing this last weekend on mine. I swear it didn’t make that noise until I hit ~900 miles, but now a “cold start” when it’s warm out, it buzzes. This morning was cooler and damp, and no such buzz. Very odd, but may look into the engine cover as it’s fairly annoying for the first ~10 15 miles each day as the engine warms up. Seems to fade away after that point (about how long it would take for me to get to the dealer to explain the issue)
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/engine-buzz-at-low-speeds-rpm.3161/
User experience #3
I have the same…sounds electronic to me. It is not the gear whine, I hear that too, different from this, when back out in the morning cold I notice the gear whine (especially with window down), after that not much, and not really irritating. But I do still hear this electronic buss/whine sound – which is irritating sounding. To me, it sounds like alternator interference I’ve heard in my stereo in other older cars before stereo was turned on or “booted up”, or something. I tried turning the stereo on, but having the volume down to zero or 1 and I think it goes away…Did I need to replicate that more than the one – anyone else tried?
There you have it, straight from the owner’s mouths. If you’re experiencing similar symptoms, rest assured you’re not alone. If that makes you feel any better…
Symptoms Summarized
- Electronic Buzzing Noises
- Emitting From The Engine Bay
- In Sync With Throttle
- More Noticeable On Cold Engine Starting
- Buzzing More Noticeable When Ambient Temperature is low (-30F)
Possible Cause
As mentioned from the outset, the high-pressure Direct Fuel Injection System is quite sophisticated and this buzzing sound could simply be put down as a by-product of the design. It’s the “nature of the beast”.
The way I understand this is, the main criteria that determine whether the injectors should function in split-shot or single injection mode, is the engine temperature, RPM, and load. When the operating temperature is low, the injectors fire in split-shot mode and at double the firing rate compared to when functioning in single injection mode. It also fires at half the duration. This technology is designed to improve cold combustion stability and reduce oil dilution on cold starts.
Combine that with the HPFP (High-Pressure Fuel Pump) and you have one buzzing T6 on the loose. The HPFP Is a cam-driven pump that supply’s over 3000psi of fuel to the direct injectors.
Also, the reason why you only hear it every now and then and not consistently is that it reads the engine operating temperature, speed, and engine load, and will adjust the injection spray mode accordingly. This is why you’ll hear it more distinctly on colder days and in the morning upon cold startup, and not on every drive cycle, or after the vehicle reaches full operating temperature.
Let’s look at what the dealership’s responses are.
What does the Dealership say?
Many owners have queried this with their local dealerships, taking the vehicle for test drives and comparing their Rangers to others on the lot, only to find it’s a common characteristic that simply needs to be accepted.
If, however, you just cannot live with the buzzing noise, there are a few things you can do to minimize the buzzing, but more about that later.
Some dealerships aren’t even aware of the buzzing and upon initial inspection conclude it’s not normal and should be rectified. However, upon closer inspection after being compared to other T6 Ranger on their lot, they conclude, all T6’s have the same buzzing noise and the truck is performing well within spec.
Much to the dealership’s relief, they’ll have you know, it’s “by design” and an “engine characteristic”. It is, what it is.
“It’s a characteristic of the engine. The Direct Injection makes the buzz. There’s nothing wrong.”
DIY Solution
Ok, so your options are as follows, turn up the radio, alternatively, sell the truck, or implement a quick fix. There are a few DIY fixes you can apply to reduce the noise. Unfortunately, there are no TSB releases or Recalls to have this rectified by your dealership.
Some owners have resorted to a DIY noise insulation fix which reduces the buzzing substantially. Try using something like Dynamat insulation or any similar sound deadening product to block out the buzz.
2019 ford ranger dash rattle
The other noise that’s driving many Ranger T6 owners bonkers is the annoying rattle coming from the front of the dashboard. It’s usually on the driver’s side of the truck.
What does this sound like?
Description
- Sounds like a loose piece of plastic vibrating on the top section of the dash.
- Becomes more apparent when driving on an uneven surface or over speed humps.
- Applying physical pressure near the location of the rattle, stops the noise.
User Experience
Let’s see what some owners have reported
Owner Report #1
Anybody else have a nasty rattle on the top driver’s side of the dash over even the slightest bump? It kind of almost seems it only does it when the defrost is on and cool outside. I can stop it, I think, by pushing down and applying pressure on the dash piece that’s behind the dash “cover”. This is going to bug the hell out of me!
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/nasty-rattle.4691/page-5
Owner Report #2
I’ve had my Ranger less than a week and heard the rattle this morning… Confirm cold out and with defroster on. Wasn’t a terribly annoying rattle but was def noticeable, hopefully it doesn’t get worse over time.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/nasty-rattle.4691/page-5
Owner Report #3
OK, I have started to experience the rattle when using the defroster as winter sets in. I think this needs to be a TSB and Ford should take care of this. If not I will get something to cushion the defroster vents since that is where the vibration is coming from.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/nasty-rattle.4691/page-3
Symptoms
- Cold outside temperature
- Windshield Defroster on
Possible Cause
- Plastic Expansion
- Loose Dash Plastic Cover
- Missing Bezel
Solution
Plastic Expansion
Dealers will quickly have you believe this is normal behavior and the truck is functioning within its designed specification. They put it down to the normal expansion of the plastic during extreme heat and cold weather. Basically, the rattle is normal and you need to get over it.
No TSB or Recall from the dealership, you’ll need to implement your own DIY fix to safeguard your sanity on this one.
Sheesh, imagine having the “rattle” and the “buzz”. A cacophony of annoying reverberations!!!
Custom Fix
The vibration can be sorted by placing a piece of veld under the dashboard. Locate the rattle and wedge the material between the cheap chips plastic plug, to make it go away. Get creative!
Missing Bezel
Inspect all your plastic receptacles on the dash to ensure none of them are missing. Concentrate on the defrost bezel situated in new the gauge cluster.
Resources
Dynamat Sound Deadening
Conclusion
All engine designs have their own unique characteristics. It’s a good practice to investigate immediately when you hear something that sounds a bit off. Unfamiliar rattles and weird noises could result in major repairs later down the line if ignored. Rattles like this are not normal nor should they be tolerated. Escalate these types of build quality and finishing complaints to Ford Customer Care.