88 ranger short to block

[mcraig1991]

i have an 88 ranger with a 2.9 v6 that has a short to the engine only when you try to engage the starter. ive replaced the starter and ohmed the wire and everything is good there. i cant find any pinched wires any where and the volts running through the engine are 5 volts. any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[4 bangin]

need more info.. how do you know there is a short? key in crank position does it spark, blow fuse, catch on fire?

if your issue is only with the key in start position it will be with the control wire to the solenoid, or from the load side of the solenoid to the starter ( im assuming the one you ohmed) manual tras or auto? may have an issue with wiring to clutch switch or range switch
?

 

[mcraig1991]

it is an automatic. i found the short by putting a test light on the neg battery post and the other side on the block when you try to start test light lights up.

 

[mcraig1991]

the load side side wire is the one i ohmed but if you touch the wire directly to the battery it still has the short.

 

[4 bangin]

im still confused as to how you know you have a short.... if you are taking the wire directly from the load side of the solenoid that runs directly to the starter and touching it to the battery positive your starter will engage...if not your starter is shorted and the wire will very quickly burn your hand pretty good....

sorry i missed one of your posts... does the truck not start? if you can test light to the negative and the block and it lights up as you crank it that means your starter is trying to ground through your test light and you have ground issues.

 

[mcraig1991]

sorry for the delay i have been out town the truck is fixed it was the main ground cable from the battery.