No starter operation, my engine will not crank over why?

Tiny
BFRANGER97
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 701,703 MILES
A pink and black wire coming from the positive side of battery at the starter solenoid and comes out in drivers kick panel by drivers door just to the left of brake pedal, goes under dash. It came disconnected and now my truck will not start. I turn key and get all my lights on dash, radio, bells and dings, outside lights, but no start. No nothing. Help me please I am a single woman and need my truck to work. Thank you
Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 AT 7:08 AM

43 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
This sounds like the starter is having problems or the battery needs to be load tested these guides can help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 10:50 AM
Tiny
MDM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thank you. My starter was bad the guide helped me fix it. I love this site.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
MTLHDDJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 140,000 MILES
Starter is only about 2 yrs old, alternator is about 3 or 4 yrs old, brand new battery. I have plenty of power, but the car will not turn over. As if a kill switch was stopping it. Disabled the alarm and that did not solve it. It will start once in a rare while. There is a clicking noise that seems to be coming from the direction of the distributer box every time I turn the key with the clutch down. . Checked all fuses. Do not know how to check relays. Did not try light test with starter because I do not have the light. Any suggestions?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Its sounds like the starter is bad but to but sure this guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.
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-2
Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MTLHDDJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It will not even crank, just clicks from the left side near the distribution box under the hood. The clicking can actually be felt by vibration but I am having trouble finding where it could be exactly. We cannot even popstart it now. It seems as if there has been a progressive decline over the past weeks in it working and getting worse. I have not checked the spark plugs but they are only 3-4 years old. The truck does not get much use. If you need any other info please let me know.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If you hear a click, then either the battery is weak, or the starter, possibly bad battery cable connections, check and clean both ends of BOTH cables! Dissconnect negative(-) first, and put it on last! If no click the starter relay is no good!
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If battery/connections are okay-check fuse no. 24 10amp if okay-jumper clutch switch at clutch pedal support red and blue or white and pink wire to the plain pink wire at connector. Note: The red and blue or white and pink wire at the switch connector should have power when key is at start positon. No power to this wire and fuse no.24 okay-the ignition switch is bad.

When clutch switch is jumpered the red and light blue wire at starter relay should have power and also the black wire going to the starter solenoid. Power at black wire on the solenoid-Replace the starter-

See starter circuit below


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_st1_4.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_st2_4.jpg

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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACE HAHS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
My truck will not start, not even turn over. All the lights come on and the fuel pump runs for a couple seconds but nothing else. I replaced the solenoid and the clutch switch and I cannot think of anything else. Any ideas?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try a security system reset that may be the problem. See our link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:39 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TNJ RANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
My son was driving his truck last night and the oil gauge dropped to 0, the Check Engine light came on and the truck quit. I tried to jump it but it wouldn't turn over - it only made a clunking sound (as opposed to a clicking sound when the battery is dead). There were no engine noises prior to it stopping. Any ideas?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok have you checked the starter to see if by chance it is bad? Have you checked the starter relay to see if it is bad. It is on the fender near the battery. The possitive cable goes to it then to the starter. Here is what it looks like.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/249564_101346_1.jpg

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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TNJ RANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have not checked the starter to see if it is working. However, that shouldn't be part of the problem as to why the oil pressure dropped and the engine quit running. Any other ideas? I have received a couple of comments that the engine may have seized. Thoughts?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Yes the engine may have seazed but that is why the oil pressure unit is also a fuel pump shut off to help prevent that from happening. I would check the starter system to eliminate this from being the problem before determining the engine is seaze. You could allways try to turn the engine over manually if you can do that then engine is not seazed and you can move on to check the starter system for issues.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TNJ RANGER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I willl check it out. Thanks for the help
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
No problem let me know what you find and we will go from there.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHEFALIX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
I have a 96 ranger. Good battery, new starter solenoid, and new ignition cylinder. But when I turn the key I just get one click and then nothing. Any suggestions?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the starter went out but to be sure here is a guide to help fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PIGEONSSS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 225,000 MILES
No crank need to know what the number are for which relay to the number on the cover on the fuse and relay cover. I have only number need to put the number to what rely. Thanks, Bruce
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon,

Let us start at the beginning. What are you attempting to do with the relay? This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JWELLS0735
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
  • 1996 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
When I turn the key engine will not turn. I hear a loud click on the relay between the battery and the starter solenoid.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:40 PM (Merged)

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