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  #1  
Old 06-03-2011, 09:34 AM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Thumbs down No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

Bought this vehicle a few months ago. It has been working amazing until recently my batt warning light started going off and on randomly. After two days of that I went out to start my truck and it made a groaning sound but i didn't hear the solenoid engage. checked the battery and it was dead. removed the battery topped off the water level inside and charged it over night in the garage. I went to start it the next day and the solenoid was clicking but nothing beyond that. I left the batt in the truck over night and the next day when i returned the battery was completely drained.
I have searched through many threads but not sure if i found my answer so i decided to post my own. I may just need to try putting in a new battery? perhaps the stereo is screwing something up? It seems kind of ghetto. It turns off and on while i'm driving. I think the person who installed it didn't really know what they are doing. Just in case i disconnected the wire running from my battery through the firewall to the amp.
It starts when i push start it, but i want to actually fix it. I love my truck and i want everything to work for the most part. I haven't got underneath to test the starter, but thats probably my next move if the battery isn't the issue. Thanks for reading this, i look forward to your insightful responses.
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #2  
Old 06-03-2011, 10:09 AM
Fordzilla80 Fordzilla80 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

Tried pulling the radio out to see how bad the wiring is?
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  #3  
Old 06-03-2011, 10:17 AM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

No i didn't pull the stereo. I just disconnected the wire that runs from the amp to the battery in case the stereo was shorting out the battery. I don't think it made any difference. I was just trying to eliminate variables. I tried putting in a different relay solenoid on the fender, but that didn't do anything. Luckily i was able to return the part. I don't really know a whole lot about what i'm doing. Just going off past experience with owning junkers.
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #4  
Old 06-03-2011, 10:44 AM
Clinton Clinton is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

How old is the battery? Could it be you just need to replace that?
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  #5  
Old 06-03-2011, 10:57 AM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

@clinton - That's what i'm thinking. It looks old. I don't think buying a new battery would be a waste of money and at least that will eliminate that variable. I was reading on another thread that when they get old they can get a cracked plate, but when charged a voltage tester will read that they are still good even if you take it in to autozone etc.
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #6  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:01 AM
Clinton Clinton is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

^^ yes that is correct, I heard the same thing. I say get a new battery and go from there
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  #7  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:05 AM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

thanks guys, I'll put a new batt in on monday and see what happens.
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #8  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:09 AM
rico rico is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

my mustang is having the same problem. i think i figured my problem out but what you should do is charge the battery and hook it up then check to see if anything is on or running that shouldnt be when the truck is off. the motor to my power windows was still running and draining the battery overnight. while the battery sits it recharges itself and as soon as it got enough charge the windows would go crazy again draining the battery all over again. I fix the window and stopped the drain on the battery, unfortunately the battery had been drained so much i needed a new one. I dont know if that will help or not but good luck
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  #9  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:17 AM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

@Rico - yeah i think it might have been the stereo that was draining the battery, thats why i disconnected the wire running from the battery to the amp. i'm not sure if i need to disconnect the head? it's got some funny wiring. I had my turn signal go out earlier in the month. i checked the fuses and the previous owner had put the wrong fuse in. i discovered a 30amp fuse where a 15amp goes. even though the bulb wasn't burned out the connection at the bottom was fried. I hope there isn't more weird electrical stuff!
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #10  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:41 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

The battery warning light comes on when the key is ON alternator is not producing electricity. Is there a fuse on that wire from the battery to the amp?
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  #11  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:48 AM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

@fireranger- no. there is no fuse between the amp and the battery. it just runs straight to the battery. i have not tested the alternator yet. i heard that you can touch the backside with a screwdriver while the motor is running to see if it's magnetized. first thing i'm going to do is put in a new battery. i'm just worried that if there is a short somewhere, i don't want to ruin my new battery. i would just take it to a mechanic, but i have been unemployed ever since i quit my job with the circus.
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #12  
Old 06-03-2011, 11:53 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

Oh lord.

1) Do not reconnect your amp. Any and all accessories connected to the battery need an inline fuse within 12" of the battery.

2) No can not test the alternator without an alternator test bench. That screwdriver thing won't do anything.

3) If your amp wiring was screwed up, and without a fuse, an intermittent short on that could have been causing the voltage drop that triggered the light and that killed your battery.

Is the light still on?
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(Formerly)
FireRanger
2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide
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  #13  
Old 06-03-2011, 12:13 PM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

yeah i didn't wire the thing, but yeah i'm not planning on reconnecting the amp. Yeah it's weird when i push start it, it runs. the batt light comes on when i turn the steering wheel. i don't know if that has anything to do with anything. the warning chime plays intermittently while the engine is running.(the same sound when door is open and key is in ignition or seat belt isn't on)
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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  #14  
Old 06-03-2011, 12:20 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

does it come on when you turn the wheel even when the engine is above idle, like while driving? Or only at idle?
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2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide
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  #15  
Old 06-03-2011, 12:25 PM
redranger88 redranger88 is offline
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Default Re: No start, Clicks but no turnover, Battery drains while parked?

it comes on when turning the wheel at idle, but i'm not sure while driving. it comes on and off, but i'm not sure if turning the wheel has anything to do with it. i'm not going to be able to check until monday because i'm headed to the woods for the weekend. when i get back sunday or monday i'll check.
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88 Ranger, fuel injected V6, Manual, dual fuel tank, Red, but I found a bill of sale in the glovebox from 2007 that stated at the time of sale the truck was silver and automatic trans. It has 190k on the odometer. I used to own an 88 red ranger when I was 19. It was only a 4 banger and had just one fuel tank. I pretty much bought it because it was a great deal and for nostalgia.
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