96 Ranger..No crank..I turn key...I hear click

[dwil4]

So all I get is a click everytime I turn the key but if I go out and stick a screwdriver to the 2 contacts on the solenoid relay or whatever it's called that is mounted on the inside of the driver fender then it will crank.. The truck has been sitting for probably 3 yrs and before that I remember it seemed that it had gotten to where you had to press the clutch pedal really hard in order for it to crank. If I hold the key in the turned position press and depress the clutch it will just click everytime as well. Sometimes the interior bell will continue to "ding" even when you take the key out.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Clean contacts/grounds and espicially around the cluuch safety switch

 

[97RangerXLT]

what rusty said.

check the cables for corrosion in the battery cables, and make sure all the cables are tight. you might need to replace the solenoid itself too, but my gut says your neutral safety switch on your clutch is either out of adjustment or going bad from what you described.

AJ

 

[dwil4]

I just put a new battery in it Sunday and the cables are pretty clean. Where is the neutral safety switch locted?

 

[Curious Hound]

I just put a new battery in it Sunday and the cables are pretty clean. Where is the neutral safety switch locted?

Yours is actually a clutch switch since you have a manual transmission. So it would be on the clutch pedal assembly.

I wouldn't rule that out, since you say you have to push the clutch down hard to hear the "click". However, if the click you are hearing is the starter relay, then the clutch switch must be making contact when you push it hard enough. That tells me that, since the starter works when you short across the terminals, the internal contacts in the starter relay are not functioning. So you probably need a new starter relay. Also, when checking cables for corrosion and to make sure they are connected tight, the connections at the starter and where the negative connects to the engine block should also be checked.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When my clutch switch died it did nothing when I tried to start it. It is just a simple switch, it either makes contact or it doesn't and there is only one wire that excites the starter relay so it isn't like it can only engage it halfway.

IMO if you get power to the relay when you turn the key and it just clicks but it will start when you jump the relay... I kinda question the relay.

 

[dwil4]

So this is what I'm calling the solenoid. Is this what you all are speaking of as well? Think I should start by replacing that? Or by relay do you mean a plug in the fuse box?

 

[Curious Hound]

That is the starter relay. The starter solenoid is built into the starter itself. If the starter works reliably every time you short across the 2 big terminals on the starter relay and the relay clicks when you turn the key, then the starter relay should be your priblem.

 

[dwil4]

Thanks for the info. I will try that 1st

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So this is what I'm calling the solenoid. Is this what you all are speaking of as well? Think I should start by replacing that? Or by relay do you mean a plug in the fuse box?

Yup. They can get corroded inside so they don't make contact if they sit for awhile.

 

[RonD]

In a 1996 Ranger an anti-theft system was optional and it had a Starter Interrupt Relay, which you would hear "click" in the cab if activated
Jumping at starter relay in engine bay would by-pass that

Diagram of that below
You needed to also have Keyless Entry(fobs) to have this, but it was an added option on top of keyless entry

On the starter relay in the engine bay is a red/blue wire connected to the smaller "S" post on this relay
Unplug this wire and put a test light or volt meter on it and to Battery negative, turn key to START, you should see 12volts(light) if the activation circuit is working
If you don't then either the clutch switch is bad OR the alarm is activated

 

[stsalvage]

When my clutch switch died it did nothing when I tried to start it. It is just a simple switch, it either makes contact or it doesn't and there is only one wire that excites the starter relay so it isn't like it can only engage it halfway.

IMO if you get power to the relay when you turn the key and it just clicks but it will start when you jump the relay... I kinda question the relay.

I rather By pass the switch By sodering a jumper wire. The problem is If you get a new person driving your crap. and its in Reverse or first gear truck could take off. But most of us put on the emergency brake and that dose not happen.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I rather By pass the switch By sodering a jumper wire. The problem is If you get a new person driving your crap. and its in Reverse or first gear truck could take off. But most of us put on the emergency brake and that dose not happen.

Its even easier to unplug the switch and plug the factory shunt in it from an automatic truck.

I keep one on the glove box just in case, it’s cheap insurance.

 

[dwil4]

So today I was piddling and wired up a toggle switch to the starter relay so I can crank it until I get a new one and see if that the problem. Works perfect.. Haha

 

[dwil4]

The only solenoid's I can find have 4 posts and my OEM only has 3. On the new solenoids one of the small posts are copper colored and the other one is not. That extra post is a problem because of the wire harness that bolts on the side. I guess I could maybe grind down one of the small posts and see if that harness would then fit but im not sure that's a wise move. Maybe then cover it with epoxy or something so it wouldn't arc of something???
Anyone have any info for.this?