I have an 01 ranger with a 2000 5.0 (explorer) swap. It's gotten colder here and may have caused an issue. Got to a Walmart fine, wouldn't crank when I tried to leave. Only issue I have had in the past electrically was cable corrosion on the terminals, but I've kept it in check.

Situation:
Went to start and heard only a click. The motor didn't even try to crank. Tried beating the starter with a hammer, same result. Replaced the starter, same result. I should've checked fuses first but cannot dtsfmine which in the power distribution box. I'm looking for the starter relay or anything else related.

I read that the starter solenoid was attached to the starter but don't know of any other location to check. Next is me retracing my steps from a year ago to see if any of my solder joints broke.. My mileage stopped registering on the counter at the turn of 170k. I doubt the issue is connected, but it is another variable.

I want to leave the new starter in place until I figure out the problem. Any pointers would be real nice..

I'm looking for everything I need to test in the starting system. I don't have a volt meter.. Pretty sure the engine is getting fuel. Also hooked up a trickle charger on its highest setting. Tried starting after a few minutes and the terminals sparked while the charger was connected. Never saw that before.

Any ideas or suggestions?

It's only getting colder

sounds like the starters bad, it's clicking which means the solenoids engaging, check your grounds

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2001 f250 7.3 zf-6
1979 f150 400/c6
Ranger free since December 2015
quote of the day:
The round flowing fenders of this vehicle have been lovingly reconstructed by a Dutch craftsman out of, what could be considered the most precious material on earth, bondo

By clicking, I mean it is one single click on the begining when I turn the key over to start. I have already replaced the starter but I am varying the sane problem which leads me to think the issue may be elsewhere. I'll be checking grounds tomorrow in the light and looking for relays as well. Anybody off hand now which undergood relay I might be looking for?

Not enough power to the starter is what it sounds like. Get a volt meter, they are cheap. Find out if the battery is good. You can always take it somewhere. The sparking from the terminals sounds like corrosion on the cables. Making sure the grounds are clean and good helps too.

You can always test the starter yourself. Pull it, with it on the ground power it from a known good battery with jumper cables. If it spins and kicks the gear out, it is good. Make sure it is from a good battery.

I replaced the battery about 5 months ago after the post had came lose in the battery. Since, I haven't had any start issues until now. I did get the battery under autozone warranty so I'll be sure to get it checked, but I'm thinking my issues may lie in the relays or grounds, if not the cables themselves. I'll be going through all of that shortly after my trip to the junk yard in search of handfuls of relays and fuses.

Replace starter solenoid. If you take a screw driver and touch both terminals together with the key on, the truck will fire.

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1997 B2300 reg cab 2.3 Lima, 15x8.5 Mickey Thompson classic 2, 31x10.50 cooper discover at3, 7.5 open 4.10 rear, dynomax super turbo catback, alpine iva-w200 w/ nav, kicker 6x8s, alpine type R 8, alpine 250W mono amp, power bass 400.4, tool box & camper shell, compustar alarm/remote start.
1956 Ford F100 rust bucket with big plans!

Again, check your main grounds leading from the negative terminal on the battery, mine did the same thing

__________________
2001 f250 7.3 zf-6
1979 f150 400/c6
Ranger free since December 2015
quote of the day:
The round flowing fenders of this vehicle have been lovingly reconstructed by a Dutch craftsman out of, what could be considered the most precious material on earth, bondo

Also jump the solenoid. If it starts the solenoid is bad

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1997 B2300 reg cab 2.3 Lima, 15x8.5 Mickey Thompson classic 2, 31x10.50 cooper discover at3, 7.5 open 4.10 rear, dynomax super turbo catback, alpine iva-w200 w/ nav, kicker 6x8s, alpine type R 8, alpine 250W mono amp, power bass 400.4, tool box & camper shell, compustar alarm/remote start.
1956 Ford F100 rust bucket with big plans!

yes that too, also make sure it's in park, try it in neutral too, try it there

__________________
2001 f250 7.3 zf-6
1979 f150 400/c6
Ranger free since December 2015
quote of the day:
The round flowing fenders of this vehicle have been lovingly reconstructed by a Dutch craftsman out of, what could be considered the most precious material on earth, bondo

Solved!!

Ranger_ferd, you were right, it was a ground issue. I followed the starter harness all the way to the battery and found that a ground wire had come lose from its perch just behind the driver side header panel, on the inside next to the battery. Of course, this is after I completely redid the terminals so I'll no longer have to deal with that corrosion issue again (soldered joints do funny things when mixing three kinds of metal and has current running through). I did test the ignition switch and the relays by swapping them out as well. Needless to say, I had my fingers crossed when I found that lose ground and she fired right up.

My last resorts would've been testing the new starter and the rechecking all of my swap wiring. Really glad I had the help of everyone's suggestions. It was a shotgun attempt to rectify the issue so I didn't miss any more work.

Thanks guys