New starter installed, still won't start

[MetalChic]

I installed a brand new starter from Autozone this past weekend. (The old starter failed the diagnostics test at the store, so the starter was shot). Still won't start. I had my mechanic from work swing by to check it. He tested the battery, the fuses and all worked fine. He even jump started the truck from underneath and the starter worked fine. He suggested replacing the ignition starter switch. I replaced that. Still no start. I am guessing a wiring issue. Any suggestions? which wire? or other possibilities

**note** my speedometer was going beserk while I was driving to my destination right before the starter decided to quit, Friday. Once again...fingers point at electrical issue, I believe.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Manual or automatic?

2001 V6 Ranger will have PATS(passive anti-theft system) which has a stater motor interrupt circuit, but if engine started jumping starter motor then it is not a PATS issue.

All vehicles have a Safety Switch somewhere that prevents driver from starting engine when "in gear", this is of course different if you have a manual or automatic transmission.

With an automatic the switch will be on the transmission, in 2001 it was the Digital Transmission Range(DTR) sensor, it must be in Park or Neutral to activate starter motor with the key.
The column shifter on Rangers can get loose so transmission may shift in to Park but DTR is still showing Reverse so no start, try shifting to Neutral and see if starter works.
If so you will need to see why Park on DTR is not working, it is usually from loose shifter in cab, not the DTR sensor

Manual trans uses a Clutch switch, located on the clutch pedal push rod in the cab, clutch pedal must be pushed down all the way for starter motor to work.
It can come off or break so starter signal can't pass thru it to activate the starter motor.

In the engine fuse box there is a Starter Relay, this relay is what the key activates, and what PATS would disable.
It is just a standard 12volt automotive relay, you can swap it with another relay in the fuse box, these rarely fail.

Ignition switch-------------safety switch-----------starter relay----------starter motor

The starter motor will have a larger Battery Cable size wire connected, and a smaller activation wire, activation wire comes from the Starter Relay