1983 Ranger starting issue

[jdubau55]

OK so the truck is not mine. Its my soon to be father in laws. I was using it to move and it started fine all day.

Heres what it is doing. Put the key in and turn to the on position. I get all dash lights lit up. Press the clutch in, turn the key to start, all dash lights go out and there is a clicking sound coming from the passenger side foot well. Sounds like its coming from inside the cab. If you return the key to the on position after a while the dash lights come back on, sometimes not. Seems like there is a loose wire to something important in the starting chain or a bad relay of some sort.

Any help on this is greatly appreciated. The battery is good. I tried to jump it but nothing. It has power but there is just something going on when you try to turn it over.

 

[Mark_88]

Have you tried bypassing the clutch safety switch? If you reach up under the column you will see a couple of wires attached to a rectangular object on the clutch shaft...remove the clip, and look for where the wires come in and out of the box, and put a small "U" shaped piece of 14 gauge wire between the two connectors...

If you get the same thing...it could be a loose ground wire, a wonky connector on the starter relay, or a wonky relay...

It could also be a wonky starter though...and you can try rapping on the starter casing with the end of a screwdriver a couple of times...that has worked for me when the bendix spring was sticking...

 

[jdubau55]

Would any of these cause the dash lights to go on and off while the switch is sitting in the on position??


I do not see the clutch switch you speak of. I saw a small connector but it was not connected to anything on the clutch. The noise is def coming from the passenger foot well. Pulled the trim back and there are several electronic items there which I have no idea what they actually are.

 

[Mark_88]

You might have an inertia switch issue...but I didn't think they killed the electrical system, just the fuel pump...and you shouldn't have an external fuel pump...just the one in the tank...

The inertia switch may be faulty and you can try to bypass that...there is a thread on that topic here somewhere, and I'll see if I can find it...

A loose ground wire can kill the entire electrical system...essentially you have no connection to the battery...

Sounds more like a wonky relay under your dash...so you might want to have someone turn the key while you listen...use a stethescope if you have one...and if you find something clicking, check it for burn marks on the outside of the casing...it indicates a fried switch/relay...

 

[will1861]

You may want to check your ignition switch as well. That's what fixed mine. I have seen all kinds of post about similar issues on here but just a few results about what fixed the problem. I did all the standard checks. Fuel pump, relays, eec and fuel pump bad wires, you name it. When the key-on position I had 12+volts. When I had someone try to start the truck my voltage would drop at the relays. So that clued me to a short from the switch. After taking that side of the dash apart, the ignition switch was literally in 2 pieces I believe this could be possibly a common problem, as the switch is not a very good design. Any way it's a $10-$12 piece at most parts stores. Good luck, and let us know what happens. I've owned my '91 since new, it's like a trusted friend in my family.

 

[jdubau55]

Thanks guys. I just tried it as I came in from outside. It was the first time I had done it since dark. I turned the key to on and got nothing. I did see a very very faint glow on the ebrake light though. I let it sit in the on position for a second and maybe 5-10 seconds later all the dash lights came on. Tried to start it but again nothing. Can still hear the tick coming from the passenger side foot well. Is there a download anywhere online for like a Haynes manual for this model? I hate to order 1 for a truck that's not mine, but I would like to get it running again.


I don't have internet till Tuesday to really dive into researching this. Right now I am leachinf off a neighbor but I might as well be on dial-up its so slow and in and out.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

sounds like the starter solenoid on the passenger side inner fender, just trace the positive cable off the battery and you will see it. could also be corroded battery terminals. mine gave me trouble all the time.

 

[Bryan22]

have you tried jumping it? just sounds like a dead battery since the lights keep getting weaker. -edit just re-read your post and yes you have tried jumping it. lol. but as mentioned above, dirty terminals will cause this. could be the starter locked up too. when you turn the key it's still drawing power causing the lights to dim. Might try getting under the truck with the key in the on position and try jumping the starter with a screw driver. If it turns over you know you've got a problem before that. if it dosen't try smacking the starter with a hammer. sometimes they just lock up. also could be a bad ground or connection somewhere in between not giving enough power to turn the truck over.whew... too many possibilities in a situation like this.-edit-

 

[jdubau55]

Thanks guys. I looked underneath the dash where I heard the tick. Its def coming from a relay. However, I dont know if its the relay thats bad making that noise or what. I had Advanced order a new relay but I just dont think thats it. I believe the relay in question is the EEC relay. Its just so weird. Sometimes you can go right out and turn the key and all the lights fire on. Other times you get no dash lights at all. This is so frustrating because it worked fine all day. I back it in the driveway. Then like 3 hours later get in it to go to Lowes and nothing.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

clean you terminals. im positive thats the problem. clean the battery ones, the solenoids, the starters, and the ground on the engine block. that is your problem. i know it. i deal with it all the time.

 

[jdubau55]

Well alright. Should I use any type of solution like WD40 or something special? Or just a good stiff wire brush/steel wool?

 

[rangerl4]

I had a problem like this. I was in the process of moving. parked the truck for an hour. went tro leave, nothing. First you need to jump the starter solenoid. if the truck cranks very little or slow then it is your battery.

 

[creepinjeepster]

Sounds like it could be a simple little loose connection on the battery or a dead cell in the battery because of the dash lights.

 

[Mark_88]

Well alright. Should I use any type of solution like WD40 or something special? Or just a good stiff wire brush/steel wool?

Just use a good wire brush and make sure to clean inside the terminal connectors...they are usually gunked up with corrosion too...

Put a lubricant on your terminals...silicone spray works really well...it prevents the buildup and keeps them clean...

 

[jdubau55]

Cleaned the battery posts and terminals. That helped in the fact the the dash lights now come on like they are supposed to.

I tried jumping the solenoid but I either a) didnt do it right or b) something is messed up.

When I bridged the terminals on the solenoid all I got was a noise from the firewall area. Does this mean the starter is stuck/bad??? I beat it with a hammer pretty good but got nothing.