Ok, it's dead and I'm not sure why....

[CorwinWeber]

Ok. Here's the situation:

Truck won't even turn over. Turn the key and the dash lights come on briefly as expected, but the engine doesn't even try to turn over. I've had some issues with this over the past few weeks, but nothing serious. It eventually started. Not so today. Came out of the grocery store, wouldn't start. Puddle of fluid underneath. This isn't good. I had it towed home and checked it out. I'm seeing basically two problems:

There's a cylinder underneath the truck that I suspect blew out, at least there's fluid on one side of it. I'm not sure if this is the slave cylinder or not.... I've heard varying reports as to whether you can get at the slave cylinder on an 88 ranger without dropping the tranny or not. This is external, black with black hoses going into it, and a small tag on it that says (I think) Flow. It's not hooked onto the transmission as far as I can tell. This may not be the slave cylinder, especially since the other thing I noticed when I popped the hood was fluid under the hood. Poked around and the cap on the power steering reservoir seems to have burst. It's still on, but it's partially lifted up and the catch that would hold it closed is broken. Looks like there was some kind of surge in pressure and blew the cap.

All of this strikes me as A Bad Thing(tm).

That's the information I have, I took pictures of the relevant parts, and can post them if they'd be helpful.... mostly I'm looking for 'where do I go from here' information. :dunno:

[modelageek]

I am not sure how much I can help but i will try.......go to the ranger tech forum and read about the clutch it will tell you where the slave is. I am trying to think of a fluid leak that would prevent the engine from cranking and I can't(unless the fluid went all over some other part). Do your headlights work?. Will it pop start? was it leaking before the no start?

*pictures are always good especially since you don't know the names of the parts :)

[CorwinWeber]

I am not sure how much I can help but i will try.......go to the ranger tech forum and read about the clutch it will tell you where the slave is. I am trying to think of a fluid leak that would prevent the engine from cranking and I can't(unless the fluid went all over some other part). Do your headlights work?. Will it pop start? was it leaking before the no start?

*pictures are always good especially since you don't know the names of the parts :)

Yes, I'm drawing power. Haven't tried the actual headlights yet but the battery seems fine. I'm honestly more concerned about the power steering. I've been racking my brain looking for any reason why the power steering would stop the engine from starting..... and I can't think of anything. If the slave cylinder was screwed up, I could see that stopping the engine. (Keep the clutch plate from engaging and it won't start, that part makes sense.) The steering? Not so much.

[modelageek]

Yes, I'm drawing power. Haven't tried the actual headlights yet but the battery seems fine. I'm honestly more concerned about the power steering. I've been racking my brain looking for any reason why the power steering would stop the engine from starting..... and I can't think of anything. If the slave cylinder was screwed up, I could see that stopping the engine. (Keep the clutch plate from engaging and it won't start, that part makes sense.) The steering? Not so much.

i believe if the slave was so toast that it did not release the plate at all( I don't think this is what happened) the truck should still jump when you go to start it

Will it pop start? was it leaking before the no start? can you tell what fluid is leaking?

[CorwinWeber]

i believe if the slave was so toast that it did not release the plate at all( I don't think this is what happened) the truck should still jump when you go to start it

Will it pop start? was it leaking before the no start? can you tell what fluid is leaking?

Didn't notice a leak, it's transmission fluid, but that doesn't help much. These things use transmission fluid for just about everything....

Um, pop start? (Where's the smiley for a blank look?)

[modelageek]

Didn't notice a leak, it's transmission fluid, but that doesn't help much. These things use transmission fluid for just about everything....

Um, pop start? (Where's the smiley for a blank look?)

when you have a standard transmission you can use the truck to start itself. You either push the truck with another car or else you have it parked on a hill. turn the key so the ignition is in the run position, put the truck in 2nd gear get the truck going about 15mph and release the clutch. if the truck starts it means you have a starting system issue. if it does not then there is another problem

[Spitfire1975]

Push it and let the clutch out when moving (first gear, key on). If it is a starter issue only the truck will fire up and drive away.

Dot3 brake fluid is in the slave cylinder (inside transmission bellhousing)

80W 90 gear oil in the transmission.

DexronIII/Mercon in the transfer case (if applicable)

You will blow out the power steering pump if it is overfull.
You could have a bad clutch safety switch if you turn the key and NOTHING starter-wise happens.

[Spitfire1975]

when you have a standard transmission you can use the truck to start itself. You either push the truck with another car or else you have it parked on a hill. turn the key so the ignition is in the run position, put the truck in 2nd gear get the truck going about 15mph and release the clutch. if the truck starts it means you have a starting system issue. if it does not then there is another problem

damn it dude. what gives?? :icon_rofl:

[CorwinWeber]

when you have a standard transmission you can use the truck to start itself. You either push the truck with another car or else you have it parked on a hill. turn the key so the ignition is in the run position, put the truck in 2nd gear get the truck going about 15mph and release the clutch. if the truck starts it means you have a starting system issue. if it does not then there is another problem

OH, a push start. I haven't had a chance to try that. (I'm a bit of a loner.) Ok, it looks like transmission fluid all over. It's red and pretty light. (Have I mentioned I'm a computer geek and not car people?) :)

Ok, so where's the clutch safety switch?

[CorwinWeber]

Ok... update. This truck.... hates me.

So, had a mechanic around so I asked him a few questions. He came over and looked at it.... couldn't find anything immediately suggestive of the problem. I mentioned that when I tried to start it this morning, I had heard a buzzing noise from under the hood. Not the fuel pump, that would have come from the rear. He suggested I try to start it so that he could have a listen.

Can anyone guess where this story is going? Can you? Huh?

Vroom.

It hates me. It's trying to kill me. Seriously.

Ok, at this point I'm pretty sure that the problem isn't in either cylinder. Even when it won't start, I still feel pressure in the pedal. I'm not convinced that the clutch switch couldn't be a problem. He showed me where it was and.... frankly.... it's a bit exposed. (Hanging off the master cylinder in the cab, under the clutch pedal.) I suspect it could have worked loose, I don't know. Still have no idea what was wrong with the power steering, but the truck still steers. (I drove it around a parking lot and started and stopped it several times. No problems.)

Since I don't know what the language policy on this forum is.... let me just satisfy myself with 'grrrrrrrrrrrr.'

[Bryan22]

sounds like just a bad connection somewhere, start by cleaning the battery terminals and cable and make sure all the connections are tight at the starter.

If it is transmission fluid, i wouldn't be alarmed if it was just a small amount. there are 3 rubber plugs on top of the trans that are notorious for leaking. if it's just a few drops i'd just check it onece in a while and keep it full. a puddle is disturbing though and i would deffenitely have a look into it.

for the powersteering i'd just replace the cap and call it good. when you try to steer it with the truck not running it usually shoots out of the breather hole in the cap. my guess is the breather hole was plugged and the pressure just broke the old brittle cap.

good luck and keep us posted.

[Spitfire1975]

OH, a push start. I haven't had a chance to try that. (I'm a bit of a loner.) Ok, it looks like transmission fluid all over. It's red and pretty light. (Have I mentioned I'm a computer geek and not car people?) :)

Ok, so where's the clutch safety switch?

If you have an 88, and a manual transmission, the fluid should be Tan colored gear oil. NOT the red Automatic Transmission Fluid. If you have a 4x4, the transfer case will have the red ATF in it.

Someone may know more on this than me, but I would think if your manual transmission is leaking red ATF fluid, you may have some issues to deal with when it comes to your tranny.

The no-start is a different issue all together. You have some sort of electrical issue you will need to find. When it doesn't start pull out a test light and start looking for where the power stops. It will help to get a wiring diagram and do your homework.

[Spitfire1975]

sounds like just a bad connection somewhere, start by cleaning the battery terminals and cable and make sure all the connections are tight at the starter.

+1. be sure to check all of your grounds, PARTICULARLY the ones that ground up by the negative battery cable and make sure the connections are good at the starter relay on the passenger side fender well (the power cable from the battery goes right to it).

[Ranger Kip]

I have the same issue right now with mine, its grinding but not starting though.

my cylinoid is not working properly, if you clean off the poles (as Bryan22 said), and then have the same issue, take it to the mechanic again, have the transmission pulled and serviced (probably needs a tune up), and have them check the cylinoid.

Idea for you, head over to Advanced Auto's, and grab a Chilton manual on your general year truck. Its gonna help, especially with wiring diagrams, the tranny, fluids, etc. (about $35 ish)

[Bryan22]

if it's grinding you either need a new starter, flywheel ring gear or both.

[Ranger Kip]

if it's grinding you either need a new starter, flywheel ring gear or both.

Looked into that a few days ago, and found out it was fine, besides me trying to start it that way a few too many times, but its fine. The cylinoid is not working at full capacity. Its old, all the engine components are original (minus the filters and the plugs).

[CorwinWeber]

Drove it today and had fewer problems, still refused to start a few times. One thing has occurred to me: I've had vaguely similar problems before, is there anything in the steering column that can make the truck refuse to start? 1) I had to replace the console switch, and as I've mentioned.... I'm not an expert. The plug was totally fried, so I had to manually wire it in. (Wire strippers and spade bits.) This seems to be working fine overall.... it's ugly but functional. 2) I did have a similar problem a while back that I couldn't find a source for, my mechanic fixed it by wrapping electrical tape around a white boxy switch in the steering column. None of us knows what this switch is. It's white, about an inch and a half.... maybe two inches long, half an inch wide, sits roughly under the key. Messing with this doesn't seem to make the truck start.... but if I knew what this thing was it might help in troubleshooting.

[CorwinWeber]

Ok, update. :)

Drove it around, it seemed fine and then I had problems off and on all last week. The major difference between fine and not fine?

Temperature. Starts fine at night, and when it's gloomy and rainy out. In both cases it's cold out. I started having trouble again when it got sunny and warmer.

Here's what I'm thinking:

I looked around and that white boxy switch that's taped tight in place is the ignition switch I think.... here's what I'm wondering. If there was something wrong with it that was keeping it from seating properly, we fixed it with electrician's tape......

....warm weather, tape relaxes.... ignition switch wobbles loose again.

Does this sound reasonable? Or am I just grasping at straws here?

[modelageek]

Ok, update. :)

Drove it around, it seemed fine and then I had problems off and on all last week. The major difference between fine and not fine?

Temperature. Starts fine at night, and when it's gloomy and rainy out. In both cases it's cold out. I started having trouble again when it got sunny and warmer.

Here's what I'm thinking:

I looked around and that white boxy switch that's taped tight in place is the ignition switch I think.... here's what I'm wondering. If there was something wrong with it that was keeping it from seating properly, we fixed it with electrician's tape......

....warm weather, tape relaxes.... ignition switch wobbles loose again.

Does this sound reasonable? Or am I just grasping at straws here?

Fix the ignition switch proaperly

[Spitfire1975]

Your problem is that a fix of this nature requires duct tape and baling wire. :D

If you can't fix it proper right now at least use a zip tie to hold the switch in place more securely. My BII has an ignition switch zip tie that is actually working pretty well at the moment.

[jmeineck]

First: The clutch slave cylinder, master brake cylinder or power steering pump will not keep your starter from turning over the engine.

Second: If you have manual trans, and what looks like AT trans fluid in your engine compartment it probably came from your power steering pump.

Starter not turning over: Start by inspecting and cleaning the battery cables, battery terminals, postitive cable goes to the starter relay and then to the starter, negitive cables goes to the block or frame and there is a ground strap that connects from the block to the frame. Make sure all of these connects are clean and tight. Check clutch safety switch to ensure it is mounted properly and functioning correctly (you can use a DVM to test the switch). If the starter is still not turning pull the starter and have it tested. Any auto parts house should be able to do this for you.

All of these test assume your battery is good. otherwise replace your battery.

Power steering Leak: Someone listed above that the breather hole could have plugged and pressure cause the cap to break. I would follow their recommendation as to the fix.