2.3L ('83-'97) 90 2.3l no start, no lights,nothing.

[90cnfranger]

So it been awhile since I’ve been on here so I’ll just get to the issue. My 90 ranger has been sitting and now I’ve been putting time into it. So I replaced the battery and I don’t even get lights to come on. The only electrical I’ve removed or replaced was just the battery. I’ve put on new terminals and checked voltage on battery. Sitting at 13.6 from battery. I’ve gone a step further and verified part numbers on old ecu and ordered a replacement. Even with new ecu still have no power, headlights won’t come on ect. I’m not good with electronic or wiring. Is there something I’m missing and does any of you know I guess where I should begin? Thank in advance.

 

[Dirtman]

Test battery voltage with one lead on the positive terminal of the battery and one lead on the engine block. Then test again using one lead on the negative battery terminal and one lead on the main starter lug, then the starter solenoid. Wherever you find no voltage is where the issue is. Probably a cable corroded internally or bad ground to the block.

Alternatively you could set your DMM to Ohms and just start poking from negative battery terminal to ground points and see where resistance spikes. Same with positive battery terminal along the power wire to the starter, solenoid, and junction block.

 

[90cnfranger]

Oh I did replace starter solenoid. If that helps

 

[Uncle Gump]

You sure you have the wiring on the solenoid correct?

 

[90cnfranger]

You sure you have the wiring on the solenoid correct?

The one I took off was an original. Had a three post. The new one has 4 and installed correctly or I believe so.

 

[90cnfranger]

I did something that probably not the best but I jump d the studs on starter solenoid and the engine turned over.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Where the battery cable connects to the relay... is there any other wires connected with it?

 

[90cnfranger]

I have one positive cable from battery to solenoid. Then there are 3 grounds from the battery to a ground on the fender then under the truck somewhere

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Take a pic of the solenoid and post it here.

 

[Uncle Gump]

A picture would be nice...

But I believe there is a second wire that should go there also. Which would supply power to the accessories.

On the starter side of the relay... there should only be one cable to the starter.

 

[90cnfranger]

I’ll take a pic when I get home. I feel like it’s something simple but like I said not savvy when it comes to wiring.

 

[90cnfranger]

Starter solenoid

 

[90cnfranger]

Wires from battery

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Starter solenoid

In this pic, take the lug with the square end off the right side of the solenoid and put it on the left side with the wire that is coming from the battery. The truck uses battery power for running everything and it cant get it if it's on the starter side of the terminal.

 

[90cnfranger]

Thanks.