Recently, I installed a new starter on my '96 Ranger because whenever I drove it between 5 - 15 mins to the local gas station and turned it off, it wouldn't turn back on. After I installed a new starter, it worked fine for a day or two, and would turn on pretty quick. But when I tried turning it on after the 4th or 5th time, it wouldn't start. Instead, it makes a grinding noise. We took out the starter and took it to a mechanic who said that it works fine and he said that something it wrong with flywheel, but I'm not so sure.

Does anyone know what could be wrong?

Sounds like you found a flat spot in your fly wheel... If you look through the starter hole, you should be able to see the flywheel teeth. Put a socket on the crank pulley and rotate the engine looking at all the teeth. Usually turns out to be a flat spot, it's spot where all the teeth have been eaten off.

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99 xlt, 5.0, torsion bars cranked, 4" body lift, 33" Goodyear Duratracs, 15x10 American racing 5 spoke rims, 2004 ranger edge seats, buggman LEDs in dash, Aussie locker in front, 8.8 with discs and mini spool in rear, blue led underglow.

There's starters and there's starters. There are starters that have 9 teeth on the drive gear. Others have 10. The standard trans starters are different than the A trans starters too.

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"94 extended cab.4x4/ V6 pushrod 4.0? /5spd/ 600$ .rat. just bought 6/19/11 I'm a noob , teach me the true path to Ranger gooodness O wise ones.

Could you clarify what you mean by "wouldn't turn back on"? Did the starter engage and turn the engine but the engine wouldn't start running or the starter wouldn't turn the engine at all?

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1995 Ranger XLT 3.0L OBDII
Trans: A4LD (E) 2WD
Rear: 7.5 / 3.45 NL LHD
Tires:GY P235 75/R15 (orig 225 70/R14)
Long Bed, 20 Gal Tank
Up to 229,900 miles