No electrical power

Tiny
JAMESRIZZITANO
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • 145,000 MILES
I drive the truck everyday. All has been working well. Started the truck and backed it into the driveway and turned off. I realized the truck could go back farther so went to start back up and there was no power to anything. Door locks, lights, ignition, dash all dead. Next morning went to check everything is dead, the battery is warm to the touch and making a slight gurgling noise. I'm also smelling a smell like rotten eggs. Any suggestion as to what to look at first would be appreciated. The battery is only 2 years old and had full power when I first started.
Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 AT 5:03 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Kind of sounds like the battery cables needs to be cleaned here is a guide to help you fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 AT 6:23 AM
Tiny
JAMESRIZZITANO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank You I checked out your suggestion, all fixed the terminal was lose. This site rocks!
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Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
TRAVIST7192
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 195,000 MILES
So I can start my Ranger up just find and let it warm up. Upon leaving my drive way ill go to shift into second gear (besides one time I didnt even make it out the drive way in reverse) and all my power shuts down, controls are like when the key isn't in the ignition, steering wheel locked up, breaks tight, etc. We had an old battery in there that would eventually lose all power when trying to restart the truck. The truck will start up just fine when it gets a jump and I park it. This problem doesn't happen every time I drive. Just sometimes and it only has happened when I am right infront of my house. Just concerning now that I keep all electrical power and it still doesn't want to turn over. The last time it happend was a few days ago and for some reason the gas was flooded, bogged out and I had to jump it and keep the throttle at full to get it to start.

We have a few ideas of where to start once the weather clears up a little bit.
1. We will check solenoid ground and power output
2. Check the starter
3. All other ground wires.
4. Check relays(main relay that powers up battery terminal and fuse box)
5. Clutch Relay? (Engage to start up)

We have checked the altenator to make sure it was giving proper power to the new battery, it checks out fine.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check battery for condition including load test a bad battery will cause all these problems. Have charging system checked as well most places do for free. Then scan for codes and check fuel pressure with a gauge. If starter works then that isn't the problem, more like a battery, cables or fusible links.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TRAVIST7192
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the input, we did put a new battery in it and that's when I would keep all my electrical power just dies. This weekend we will check everything out more.
Thanks again for the input we will scan for codes and go from there, just hope it catches something rather than the guessing game.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROD1964
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
1999 ford ranger no elect. Power to anything has new bat.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Check the main fuse un the fuse box under the hood. Make sure the battery terminals are clean, tight and the cables are in good condition. Finally, check to make sure the ground to the engine block is good, clean, and tight.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAUVOONINJA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD RANGER
  • 158,000 MILES
I have 12.6 vlts at battery and on one side of starter relay. No power at distribution of. Has 12.6 at alternator. Have since changed starter, and starter relay and cleaned all connections including grounds. Still nothing. Also has 12.6at starter.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I need to confirm my understanding. First, when you say power distribution box, are you referring to the fuse/relay box both under the hood and under the dash? I attached a pic below. Power comes direct from the battery to power both boxes. I highlighted the connection between the two.

Or, do you mean there is no power to the smaller (s terminal) on the starter when the key is in the start position?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAUVOONINJA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have power to the starter solenoid (on starter) at all times. I'm losing power somewhere between my battery and inside and under hood fuse panels. No headlights or any thing works. I can jump the starter relay and engine turns slowly and has a whine to it.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAUVOONINJA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
When I jump the starter relay my headlights work temporarily as it turns over. They stop shining when I quit jumping the relay.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAUVOONINJA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
My diagrams show #2 IP fuse "not used" Number Ampere rating [A] Description
1 7, 5 Power Mirror
2 †â€
3 15 Parking lamp
4 10 Left Headlamp
5 10 Data Link Connector (DLC)
6 7, 5 Air Bag System, Blower Relay, EATC
7 7, 5 Illumination Switches
8 10 Right Headlamp, Foglamp Relay, DRL
9 10 Anti-lock System
10 7, 5 Speed Control, Generic Electronic Module (GEM), A/C System, Brake Interlock
11 7, 5 Instrument Cluster, Warning Lamps
12 10 Front Wash System, Power Windows
13 15 PCM System, Stoplamps, AWD, Anti-lock System, Speed Control
14 20 Anti-Lock System
10 Anti-Lock System
15 7, 5 Air Bag, Alternator
16 30 Front Wiper
17 25 Cigar Lighter
15 Cigar Lighter
18 15 A/C System
19 25 PCM System, Ignition Coil
20 7, 5 Anti-Theft, Generic Electronic Module (GEM), Radio
21 15 Hazard Lamps
22 10 Turn Signals
23 †â€
24 10 Starter, Anti-Theft
25 7, 5 Speedometer, Generic Electronic Module (GEM)
26 10 4R44E/4R55E/4R7OW/5R55E Overdrive, DRL System, Backup Lamps
27 10 Under Hood Lamp, Map Lamps, Glove Box Lamp, Dome Lamp, Visor Lamps, 4Ã 4 System
28 7, 5 Generic Electronic Module (GEM)
29 10 Audio System
30 †â€
31 †â€
32 †â€
33 15 Headlamps, Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Module, Instrument Cluster
34 †â€
35 †â€
36 â€
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Let me know if it's 4wd and what size engine you have. That way I can confirm wiring on the schematics.

Joe
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAUVOONINJA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
1995 Ranger XLT 2.3 2wd. Manual transmission. Thanks for your time and help.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Okay, I attached a pic below that shows the relay starter motor. If I understand, the relay has power to it, correct? And there is no power out from it, correct? Have you tested the relay?

I attached a few pics below to track down where the power loss is located. First, pic 1 shows ignition fuse 1. Confirm power both in and out.

Second, check fuse 24 in the instrument panel fuse box. See pic 2 Make sure power is both in and out of the fuse.

Third, check for power both to the clutch switch and power out when the clutch is depressed. See pic 3.

Next, from the clutch switch, power runs to the relay (red wire with a light blue tracer). That is what triggers the solenoid and then powers the S terminal on the starter. Check if there is power to that wire on the relay. (Pic 4)

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NAUVOONINJA
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Cool. Thanks for these diagrams. I bought a Hane's repair manual but it doesn't really help me. This looks more like English to me. I'll check it first thing in the morning.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

You are very welcome. Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
1994 Ford Ranger mileage: 130,000. My starter went out. I also replaced the positive battery cable because it was worn. Everything seems to be re-connected correctly. However, I have no electrical power of any kind!
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
Recheck the battery cable connectors. One of the smaller power wires is either on the wrong location or off altogether.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
If you took any wires off the solenoid, you probably put them on wrong. All the smaller wires go the the battery side of the solenoid.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2021 AT 10:14 AM (Merged)

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