1988 ford ranger 2.3 need help

[Mark_88]

Probably a loose battery or bad ground connection. Wiggle wires until something starts sparking...usually the post connections but could be the fender relay (aka solenoid)...

If no electrical, usually start at the battery posts and work outward...you should find it within two or three wires...

 

[xlt88ranger]

Did what you said found I write that was broke in half replaced it and about four other wires and still nothing. Although if it let's me post the picture in the top square solenoid clicks everytime I hook the battery up and my oil light comes on.

 

[xlt88ranger]

Ok so my phone won't let me upload it but i have three on the fender and it is the top one

 

[Mark_88]

The clicking of the relay may also mean your battery is too low to crank the starter over. Needs to be 12.5 volts minimum typically.

If the battery is charged and the solenoid is still clicking it could still be a bad connection. Sounds like your wires may be due for more complete and up close inspection...or the solenoid may be fried...but usually that gives no sound when the key is turned...

Check battery voltage, and maybe try boosting if low.

What wire was broken in half? I found a starter wire was broken off the starter motor one time and that was due to rusting connectors...

 

[xlt88ranger]

I have replaced every write under the hood and charged the battery and the solenoid is still clicking and everytime I connect the battery the check oil light comes on with the truck being off. I honestly don't know what else to do.

 

[Mark_88]

Well, the oil light coming on with the power off tells me you have a wire connected wrong...something is cross wired...check the solenoid relay on the fender...there should only be one wire on the negative post...the rest should be on the positive side. The little red boot can also sometimes be corroded to the point of not allowing current though...that is the relay on switch and usually the relay (solenoid) doesn't even click...but if it's dirty...clean it out...or simply cut the boot off and use an eye connector in case the boot connection is wonky.

I've had to do that on my last truck because that connection wasn't quite right.

 

[xlt88ranger]

You'd think it would be a cross wrote but it did it before I rewired it. But I will try what you are saying here in a little while and let you know how it turns out.

 

[Mark_88]

This hit and miss and time lapse makes it a bit more frustrating...I'm sure...I've been just looking on the web to find a picture of my 96 wiring under the hood because I can't remember how it was a year ago when I pulled the harness...now trying to figure it out is a challenge but almost there...so easy to get things wired wrong and the consequences of blowing something up are more expensive with the computers...

It may be a bit late for your case, but on mine there are three wire harness connections coming into the engine bay...one is specifically for the computer and engine controls...I am hooking that up last once I check the wiring for the lights and other accessories...once those are good then I can do the engine controls...

It's actually a nice feature on the 96 and up...maybe even 95 but not sure when they split the harness that way.

 

[xlt88ranger]

If it doesn't work I'll just wait until my next paycheck and buy a new wiring harness.

 

[xlt88ranger]

Tried and still the same thing. I guess I'll have to wait and buy I new wiring harness. As for the solenoid I think I may have misnamed what it is. What is clicking I guess is actually a fuse it has 4 wires coming out of it. I have 3 of them between the fender and the air box if that helps and one of them clicks when I reconnect the battery. Sorry my bad.

 

[Mark_88]

EDIT: I found the post I was referring to but it was not what I was thinking and probably not applicable to you. If you want to read it go to post 13 in the link below...read the previous stuff if you like but that's about the TPS and no start issues...

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161008&highlight=computer+key+on+test'

However...I do not recommend replacing the harness...let me go back to read this again from the start...

OK, I just recapped on the issue. Initially the truck just up and died...thought timing belt but it wasn't...

The truck would turn over but would not start. Then you did some things here and there changing this and that and now your truck will not even turn over. Getting a click but no crank over...and the oil light is on even with the truck off...

This is very familiar but I can't remember exactly what it was...like I had the same issue...

Something to check...use a screw driver to jump the posts on the solenoid on the fender. The engine should turn over...if it does then your wires are fine...if not...solenoid wiring is off or solenoid is fried...

Can you try that and let me know?

 

[xlt88ranger]

That would work but nothing electrical is working in the truck at all except for the check oil light staying on 24/7. As for the computer I have tried the different ones and still nothing

 

[xlt88ranger]

Three sorry I have a problem with auto correct

 

[xlt88ranger]

No problem give me a minute.

 

[xlt88ranger]

Still nothing I've tried two different solenoids and I rewired it the exact same as factory. It didn't even try to turn over.