'89 Ranger/Wont crank/electrical issue?

[Texican65]

If the battery was connected when it went dead (I'm assuming), I would definitely check the starter switch. I know it's a pain to get to, but it sounds like you've got a short somewhere, and that would be a good thing to check off of your troubleshooting list. At least you would know either way. Like I said before, I have seen the switches start to come apart, and as a temporary fix you can squeeze the metal tabs on the corners to pull it back together. If you pull the switch out and it comes apart in the process, you'll know.

Like snoranger said, the battery terminals can cause problems if they're really bad. But I think it's more likely to be at the battery side of the cables than the engine block side. I'd say that if you tug on the negative cable to check how solid it's connected to the block and the cable doesn't pull off , you should be okay there. The battery side is usually the problematic side. I've never had a cable go bad at the block, but I don't live where they salt the roads very often, and I suppose that could have an effect on it over time.

You need to find what is drawing power with everything off. That could be what's causing all of your problems. A bad negative/ground cable won't cause a power draw when the truck sits. Actually, if that negative cable to the engine was bad, you would probably have starter issues, as the starter would not be getting a sufficient ground to operate properly. I don't think there's any other good reason to have that large of a ground going to the block.

Well...after quite a fight...I got the ignition switch off. Ford definitely made it so they didn't want the owner messing with this......what a pain!

See anything that looks worn or out of the ordinary? Looks ok to me...but this is the first one I've ever handled.

Thanks,

Dow

 

[Paulos]

The bad switches I've seen were separating where the plastic and metal are crimped together. Nothing looks obvious there. Did you check your battery connections as others have mentioned? You've pulled the battery, so it most likely isn't the battery terminals (unless they're really bad side terminals). Check and clean all battery and cable connections. If the switch is not bad internally, it's likely to be the battery cables/connections.

 

[Texican65]

The bad switches I've seen were separating where the plastic and metal are crimped together. Nothing looks obvious there. Did you check your battery connections as others have mentioned? You've pulled the battery, so it most likely isn't the battery terminals (unless they're really bad side terminals). Check and clean all battery and cable connections. If the switch is not bad internally, it's likely to be the battery cables/connections.

Hey there...still messing with this.

What’s the little thin metal wire in the middle of your ignition switch photo? Mine doesn’t have that, wondering if it should?

Dow

 

[Paulos]

That's a good question. The service manual says nothing, and the electrical connector itself has built-in clips to hold it in place. So, I don't know. I have the clip with my old switch and found where one end of the "clip" sits on the switch; but I'll have to take a look at my column when I get a chance. I forget what it's for, so now I have to know .

It's probably not necessary, as I don't recall it being on my new switch when I took the pictures.

 

[Texican65]

Thanks for checking. I’m not sure if mine fell off when I took the switch out of the column, or if it just doesn’t have one. But when I re-install the switch, I want it to be right, don’t want to rip the column and get under the dash again to get at this thing.

I removed the negative ground from the block, it looks ok, but I’m replacing it anyways.

Wire from the starter to the relay looks ok too, maybe a little wet from a slight coolant leak, but it’s been that way for a LONG time. Slowly crossing off possibilities.

Thanks,

Dow

 

[Uncle Gump]

Texican... Google voltage drop testing. Proceed with cable inspection using your new found diagnostic knowledge.

 

[Paulos]

That clip appears to be unnecessary (at least on my Ranger). It must be a retaining clip for the electrical connector, but when I replaced mine I didn't use the clip, and my connector is solid and won't pull off without considerable force. I would just check the connector to see if it pulls off easy or not, and if it won't come off easy don't use the clip. I saved mine, because I know if I throw away that worthless little clip, I'll end up needing it a couple weeks later . I looked at mine and couldn't see how it would connect without having the switch removed and the connector still attached, so I said "forget it" and put the covers back on .