Stumped

kicknfiresout · #1 09-23-2009, 09:17 PM

97 Ranger 4 cyl has been failing to start on occasion. Have replaced battery. Engine does not turn over and starter does not appear to engage, no clicking noises. Interior lights work and ignition key alarm sounds when door opens. Has not quit while driving or when engine running. Cannot jump start either.
Truck can sit for a day or so then start and run fine. Problem is intermittent.

Johnbaum13 · #2 09-23-2009, 09:19 PM

sounds like a bad ground to me. Check all the wiring to the starter for any loose connections, and after that, pull the starter and have it checked or replaced. my $.02

Tristan · #3 09-24-2009, 09:44 AM

I agree, FIRST check all connections and make sure they are clean. While you are have the problem, if you are familiar with a Digital Multi Meter, meter the starter wire in the ignition harness withe the key in the start position to make sure its getting twelve volts. Next would be to find the starter relay and see if its getting its 12 volts, or if its even clicking for that matter. If its getting the signal and not clicking, replace the relay. They are usually your typical bosch relay.

02'4.04x4 · #4 09-24-2009, 09:50 AM

Another thing or two is the starter relay hitting and I seem to recall trucks having some electrical doohickey mounted to the fender wall that can cause this.
Maybe someone with the technical name for doohickey can help more.

Tristan · #5 09-24-2009, 09:54 AM

When I get to work, I'll look up the diagram and so on to see if I can get some more answers for you.

Johnbaum13 · #6 09-24-2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 02'4.04x4

Another thing or two is the starter relay hitting and I seem to recall trucks having some electrical doohickey mounted to the fender wall that can cause this.
Maybe someone with the technical name for doohickey can help more.

I'm guessing you're talkin about the solenoid. Yeah, it's just a big relay mounted on the pass. fender if you have one.

Boujiboy2000 · #7 10-12-2009, 05:49 PM

a few years ago my fathers ranger had same problem. went to start and just a click.

we were a long ways from civilization and the battery was pretty dead. I got under the car and hunted for the starter/solenoid, making sure car was in park and key on I removed the plastic cover over the terminals, on the starter/solenoid and grounded the contacts out with a screwdriver, got a weak start and drove straight to walmart and got a new battery. problem was fixed.

I had forgotten about that situation until i read this post. since then I have had no problems with the starter, I also removed a plastic shroud of some short when i removed the oil filter the first time, it just got in the way so i didn't put it back on either.

turbo · #8 10-13-2009, 04:46 AM

hmm.

is it, by chance, a manual transmission? if so, there's a safety interlock on the clutch that won't let you crank the starter without having the clutch pedal pushed -- check to make sure that a) this switch is working properly, and b) you are depressing your clutch pedal far enough.

i had a problem very close to what you describe with my '93 Escort, and that's what the problem was -- a $2.00 switch solved the problem.