I am a bit lost on what to do next

[Daradune]

This last weekend my Ranger failed to start and has yet to even turn over.

It is a 2 wheel drive, 2.3l, 1997 ranger

When I turn the key there is a loud grinding noise and nothing else. Everything I found online said it was probably a bad starter and after replacing that the same problem continues. I have manually checked the flywheel by turning it with a screw driver with nothing more then normal minor wear anywhere on the teeth. We then attempted to push start the thing with no luck and with a few jumps and clunks the engine did not turn over and still failed to start.

I am at a total loss as to what to do next and need to be back on the road asap, any and all help is appreciated even if it is just confirming my worst fears in having to retire my first vehicle and moving on.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Try pulling all the sparkplugs and then turn it over. If it turns freely via the starter then do a compression test. Block open the throttle and test each cylinder writing down the results. They should be up somewhere 150 psi and also should be within 10% of each other. Let us know the results.

 

[adsm08]

Is it auto or stick?

I really feel like you are jumping the gun even thinking about retiring it. This is probably something stupid and simple like a broken flex plate. Time consuming to repair, yes, it will probably take a whole weekend, but worth junking the vehicle over, not by a long shot.

Also, your engine isn't a V4. It's an I4. V or I refer to the shape of the engine, since yours is an inline it doesn't look like a V.

 

[Daradune]

It is a stick, and thanks for the input, I will get what I can checked out tonight and report back. It has been a long weekend for me trying to get the thing working. Looking on line it is like WebMD, either your starter needs to be replaced or the engine block is cracked.

 

[adsm08]

I doubt the block is cracked. That would be and extremely extreme event.

Now you say it didn't start when you pushed it. If you turn the crank over manually with a ratchet can you see the flywheel move? Can you hold the flywheel still while doing the same?

It may also be of some value to make a mark on the flywheel and put the starter back in, try cranking it, and see if the mark has moved.

 

[pjtoledo]

This last weekend my Ranger failed to start and has yet to even turn over.

It is a 2 wheel drive, 2.3l, 1997 ranger

When I turn the key there is a loud grinding noise and nothing else. Everything I found online said it was probably a bad starter and after replacing that the same problem continues. I have manually checked the flywheel by turning it with a screw driver with nothing more then normal minor wear anywhere on the teeth. We then attempted to push start the thing with no luck and with a few jumps and clunks the engine did not turn over and still failed to start.

I am at a total loss as to what to do next and need to be back on the road asap, any and all help is appreciated even if it is just confirming my worst fears in having to retire my first vehicle and moving on.

your definition of grinding may differ from others, so that really isn't much to go on.

what gear was it in when attempting push start?

here is a cheap and relatively easy test:

truck on level ground
put in 4th or 5th gear
release parking brake
with manual labor, attempt to rock it back & forth
hint: grab the tires, it will give you leverage
as the truck moves back & forth a couple of inches you should see the engine trying to turn over, then fan should move both ways but not much.
that will establish the integrity of the entire drivetrain.

some noise from the rear axle is expected, that's just the play between the gears reversing.

loud clunks from the engine area will be cause for concern.

 

[tomw]

One other thing to consider is the battery condition. A battery may have enough juice to partially engage the starter, and grind away, making unusual noises, yet not have enough to actually crank the engine over. Wouldn't hurt to try checking the voltage level, or using jumper cables to insure you have enough battery power. Most times, the starter relay will chatter, but it's not an absolute.
tom