Truck will only roll-start... Why?

calebjc · #1 05-23-2011, 01:42 PM

1995 Ford Ranger 4 cylinder, 2.3 liter, 5 speed. Truck is stock.

Truck will not start unless I park it on a hill and let it roll and dump the clutch. Replaced the clutch start switch and it still won't start without a roll.
Could this be a faulty clutch switch or maybe there's a neutral safety switch that needs to be replaced. If there is a neutral safety switch, where is it located?

Thanks for the help.

MTman777 · #2 05-23-2011, 01:44 PM

bad starter?

turbo · #3 05-23-2011, 01:56 PM

I used to have a similar problem on my 5-speed Escort... problem was that I wasn't pushing in the clutch far enough to reliably activate the clutch-safety-interlock switch.... (ie: the clutch was disengaged, but the switch didn't indicate that it was, and thus the starter was inhibited).

next time you're in the truck trying to start it, push the clutch all the way to the floor, and see if turning the key activates the starter...

calebjc · #4 05-23-2011, 02:24 PM

All ready bench tested the starter,that checked out ok . And ckecked the clutch to the floor and turned the key ,and i dident even get a click , could it be possable that i bought a faulty clutch switch?

thank you for your input.

mickblock · #5 05-23-2011, 03:22 PM

If the starter is good, and the wiring all checks out then test the clutch safety switch and the loom it connects to using a tester. And make sure it's mounted so that it is actually depressed with the movement of the clutch pedal. Sounds like that poster nailed it.

4b316 · #6 05-24-2011, 04:52 AM

And it could be the ignition switch on the column

jhughes81 · #7 05-24-2011, 05:56 AM

or it could be the starter relay, under the cab on the driver side mounted right behind the battery. it should have two big wires and two or more small wires. four posts in all. get someone to sit inside and hold the cluth down while turning over the key. use a test light or voltmeter to check voltage at both small posts on the relay. the small post close the big posts and lets fire go to the starter. if no fire check all your fuses and relays in the cab and under the hood. also one of the big posts is supposed to have 12 volts at all times on the starter relay. if not you have a bad cable or battery or a bad connection. also check that your ground wires are clean and tight on both ends.

calebjc · #8 05-24-2011, 05:08 PM

Turns out it was the starter solenoid. I found it when looking for the starter relay switch. Never would have thought of that since it's been so long since I last had to replace one.

Appreciate the help...thanks to all who posted

eric248 · #9 05-24-2011, 06:16 PM

I had the same thing happen to me...all mine was is a wire got pulled out of the neutral saftey switch. Its located right where the clutch linkage goes through the firewall.