1988 Ranger with 2.9L w/automatic?
Yes that's the ignition switch in the picture
When you turn the key to START that ignition switch will send 12volts to the Neutral Switch on the transmission
If the transmission switch is in Park OR Neutral it will pass the 12volts on to the starter relay on the inner fender
The starter relay will activate when it gets 12volt on its "S" terminal(smaller post)
When starter relay activates starter motor will get 12volt but from the Larger cable on the starter relay
If you have a test light or volt meter
Pull off the red/blue wire that's on the starter relay's "S" post, the smaller post
Put test light or meter on that wire and Battery Negative(a ground)
Turn key to START
You should see 12volts on that red/blue wire
If so then the starter relay is most likely bad, use a jumper wire from battery positive to the "S" post, relay should 'click' then starter motor should engage, if not this confirms relay issue
If you don't have 12v on the red/blue wire with key turned to START, then Foot on the brake, shift transmission to Neutral and try again, if you have 12v now then Neutral switch may need adjustment or the Shift cable does
Re-try after shifting to Park again
If no 12v even in Neutral then could be the Neutral switch(NSS) is bad, but.....................
All Rangers up to 2002 were wired for manual transmissions, so when it got an automatic "they" installed the Clutch Switch Jumper connector under the dash above brake pedal area
Its a 6 pin connector, not all 6 pins are used on all models
But you should see red/blue wire and PINK wire in the connector
If you have done any work under the dash recently this connection may have been separated a bit
If you have a helper unplug the Neutral switch connector on driver side of transmission, its above the shifter
Its a 4 or 5 wire connector, round, plugged in on top of the switch
This is also for your Reverse Lights
Should be a pink wire and a red/blue wire, but can be 2 red/blues
Pink or red/blue should have 12volts when key is turned to START, that's where helper comes in, lol
NSS switch looks like this:
https://shop.broncograveyard.com/images/8083ntrlsftyswtchsb.JPG
It is screwed in above the shifter so points down when installed, wires connected on the top
There is a 2 or 3 wire connection on the side of the transmission, thats not it, thats for the solenoids
Starter activation wiring
Ignition switch-----(red/blue)------clutch switch jumper----(pink)-------NSS switch----(red/blue)--------starter relay
As said the Pink wire can be red/blue as well there really wasn't a year by year standard, lol