(A little background... 88 Ranger; occasionally when I try starting my truck, it will continue revving even after I have taken the keys out. It will rev for about 3 minutes and eventually dies out -- then I go to start again and it starts fine. This happens about 3 times a month.)

So today, same revving thing happened -- but afterwards it wouldn't start. No power to anything, nothing.

Attempted to jump it (tried two different sources) but the terminals kept sparking. The positives and negatives were in the right spots. The jumper cables eventually started heating up.

Any ideas?

Update*** Put in a fresh battery and when the negative line was touched to the negative battery terminal, the engine sounded like it was attempting to start...as if someone were turning the key and pressing the gas pedal. Maybe the starter or solenoid??

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1988 2.9L Ranger XLT
2WD
automatic
192,000

Turned out to be the starter solenoid. Just bought a new one for $18 and it started up fine.

__________________
1988 2.9L Ranger XLT
2WD
automatic
192,000