Hello everyone. I'm having a problem starting my 1988 Ford Ranger (Manual, 2.1L i think, 2x4). This problem has persisted some, but it seemed intermittent at the time.

When I go to start my truck, I first turn the ignition to accessory, in which i see dash lights, my headlights work etc. I go to actually turn it on, I hear a small tick (like a switch or something) then everything goes dead. I bring back the key try again, nothing happens on the accessory, no lights nada! I've checked the battery that is fine. I've replaced the Ignition soleinoid (because last time it did this, i replaced it and it worked fine). It's been sitting for 2 weeks and i've tryed getting it to run on random times. After a while, the thing "resets" itself somehow and i do get Accessory dash lights and such, but no ignition and it goes dead again after an attempt. I got it running this morning (finally). I turned it off , back on again, but the 3rd time, it failed. What could be wrong with my ignition system?

Answer 1 is right

I bet you have corrosion on the battery terminals , or a loose or bad battery cable. Remove the battery cables from the battery, clean the terminals and the cable ends. You may want to charge up the battery. In my experience this was the cause most of the time. It is possible the starter solenoid wires have corrosion on them too, and a remote solenoid failure possibility too. But as you described, battery connections are the most likely problem.

Another possiblity could be the ignition switch. The electrical part, not the lock cylinder.