Turn the key, and nothing...

noodles1288 · Aug 24, 2009

Hey guys, the names mark. I am a new member, but have been reading posts on this site since I got my truck last year. I can usually find help just by looking at past posts and questions, but I am either blind, tired, or misinformed.

Alright here goes, I went to start my truck (91 ranger, manual, 4cyl), but somehow didnt have the clutch all the way in. The starter kicked and the truck rattled for a second till I realized the breaks were on and the truck was in gear. I pulled the tuck out of gear, and pushed the clutch in again. When I turned the key...nothing what so ever, no lights, clicks, dings.

I am thinking fuse...but have no idea what fuse I would have blown.

Nhaz · Aug 24, 2009

Go check you battery connections. Bad connections can act like dead or low battery.

Then check battery voltage with nothing on. If you get good voltage setup the meter so you can see it and turn the key while watching the meter.

If it drops to zero or very low volts either the batteries discharged or dead.

It maybe as simple as a bad connection or you toasted an old battery.

Boggin · Aug 24, 2009

i agree lots of times this happens to me my battery lugs just sorta loose there connection even when theyre still on and you wouldnt know it, just turn your key ahead and get out and play with the battery lugs until you hear your fuel pump cutting in, then you know you have power again
hope this helps and welcome to the site

Mark_88 · Aug 24, 2009

Two things...as above, check the connections and make sure they are not corroded...and twist the little red boot on the solenoid (on the passenger inner fender) and crimp it with a pair of pliers to make sure it is tight on that stud (yours may be a black boot, but your truck won't start without that connection)...most times though, it's the ground wire to the starter that has shaken itself loose...you can follow that one down from the battery and if you find the bolt holding it on is loose...just tighten it up...

Second...there is a safety switch on the clutch...disconnect it and take a small U shaped piece of wire and plug it into the switch part that has the wires on it...you will know what holes to plug it into just by where the wires connect...make sure it is in good and tight and try starting the truck...this is a feature that has caused more Ranger owners grief than you can shake a dead dog at...or is that a dead dog's tail...

Have fun!

feellnfroggy · Aug 24, 2009

Like they said, My 92 wouldnt start and when I would jump it it would just get the cables hot, because there was alittle corrosion between the cable and terminal that couldnt be seen. The other thing is if you dont know which fuse to check then check all of them. There is a fuse box under the hood, pull them and check them one at a time til you check them all. Then there is a fuse box under the dash, do the same thing.

Turn the key, and nothing...

noodles1288

10+ Year Member

Nhaz

15+ Year Member

Boggin

15+ Year Member

Mark_88

15+ Year Member

feellnfroggy

15+ Year Member

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