98 4.0 ranger XLT janky wiring help

[Ranger_Lobo]

I picked up a beat up 98 4.0 XLT and I'm trying to fix it up but basically I know nothing I'm learning as I go.

It definitely doesn't have original keys, they don't work on the doors. The starter relay seems to be missing, replaced with a wire going directly into the relay. The wire taps into the red/blue wire on the ignition cylinder.

My guess here based on a simple wiring diagram is that power from the ignition cylinder is going via the tapped wire straight into the fuse box, which is attached to the starter. But I don't get why you would do this.

My goal is to go to the dealer and get OEM keys + ignition cylinder thereby getting the doors to lock again. And also fix the relay and gets this back to normal. But if I undo the tapped wire I'm not sure what will happen?

Thanks for any help

 

[franklin2]

If the starter solenoid is wired directly, they are bypassing the neutral safety. You can see if this is true by trying to crank it while it's in drive.

I would imagine the parts stores would have a new lock cylinder. Unless it has some sort of anti-theft type key system on it.

And some vehicles had two different keys, one for the doors and one for the ignition. I seem to remember the key for the doors was rounded while the ignition key was square. You can pull the door lock cylinders out of the doors, and locksmith and most likely key them the same as the ignition.

P.S. Look what I found for $50. Good old Amazon has a key set with everything in it.

Amazon.com

 

[Ranger_Lobo]

Thanks I'll probably buy that!

But why would someone bypass neutral safety?

I'm also worried that it's the way it is because of anti theft. So if I got original key from dealer with the chip I could set the wiring back to normal.

 

[franklin2]

I believe the anti-theft that Ford used was a code box that sent information to the ECM. So simply bypassing the neutral safety would not help with something like that.

I looked it up, Ford came out with their system called the PATS system, in 1996. Not sure if your 98 ranger has it or not.

 

[SenorNoob]

I think the dual key thing ended in 93 with the new body style. I was able to get lock cylinders for my doors that take that same shape key as my ignition. Now if I could just change the glove box lock...

As for the PATS, if the truck has it and runs then it has been satisfied somehow. Either the original key and switch, the original key located close enough to the receiver to work, or it has been reprogrammed.