98 ranger hesitant to start

[85_Ranger_danger]

I have a 98 ranger xlt 4.0L 5 speed manual. Lately it has had trouble starting. Sometimes it starts just fine other times I turn the key and it doesn't even try. I turn it off do it again doesn't start. Turn it off and try again then starts like nothing was ever wrong. I have no idea where to even Start for it. I thought maybe my clutch was going bad but then thought that was silly after reading about it being a starter relay possibly.. any help would be appriciated thank you

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[HGI]

When you say sometimes it doesn't even try what do you mean by this? Does the starter turn?

Just for starters I would suspect a bad ground somewhere, faulty solenoid or connection there, then ignition switch if the starter doesn't turn over.

 

[RonD]

Yes, more clarification.

When key is turned to START ..........
A. Starter motor turns engine(it cranks), but doesn't fire(start up)
B. Starter motor doesn't turn engine and you don't even hear a Click
C. you hear a click but starter motor doesn't turn engine

For A.
Fuel or spark issue, try turning key off and then on again 3 times, then try to start, if it starts normally you are losing fuel pressure when truck is off, not uncommon.

B. loose battery connection or bad NSS(neutral safety switch) on automatic, or bad Clutch switch on manual

C. bad/failing starter motor if you have checked that cables are clean and tight.

 

[85_Ranger_danger]

Yes, more clarification.

When key is turned to START ..........
A. Starter motor turns engine(it cranks), but doesn't fire(start up)
B. Starter motor doesn't turn engine and you don't even hear a Click
C. you hear a click but starter motor doesn't turn engine

For A.
Fuel or spark issue, try turning key off and then on again 3 times, then try to start, if it starts normally you are losing fuel pressure when truck is off, not uncommon.

B. loose battery connection or bad NSS(neutral safety switch) on automatic, or bad Clutch switch on manual

C. bad/failing starter motor if you have checked that cables are clean and tight.

It doesn't do anything not even try to turn over when I turn the key. When it decides to start it fires up like nothing ever happened doesn't hesitate or anything. I bought some fluid for the clutch I'm gonna try and bleed that clutch is really soft. Where is the safety switch located I was looking for it?

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[85_Ranger_danger]

When you say sometimes it doesn't even try what do you mean by this? Does the starter turn?

Just for starters I would suspect a bad ground somewhere, faulty solenoid or connection there, then ignition switch if the starter doesn't turn over.

Nothing happens when I turn the key. No sounds nothing but all my lights are on stero turns on. I think it may be a bad switch under the clutch. You know when you push it in it pushes that switch allowing it to start

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[85_Ranger_danger]

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[85_Ranger_danger]

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[85_Ranger_danger]

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[85_Ranger_danger]

This piece just came off of that hole. The clutch goes up against it when it's pressed in completely

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[RonD]

Under the dash, up at the top of clutch pedal arm is the Push Rod that goes to master cylinder, the clutch switch is clamped onto the push rod, it has a couple of clips that slide off and it opens and can come off the push rod.

But first I would check the starter motor connections.
Disconnect battery cables, both of them

Get under vehicle and loosen battery cable connector on starter motor, make sure it is clean, no corrosion.
There will be a smaller wire connected to smaller terminal on starter solenoid on top of starter motor, that is the wire that activates the motor when you turn the key to START, remove this wire.
Make sure battery cable is tight again on starter motor
Reconnect battery cables.

Put a test light or voltmeter on the smaller wire that was left loose, it should have 12volts when key is turned to START so Ground the test light or meter and connect other wire to that loose wire
Push clutch pedal in and turn the key to START, watch for light or voltage, if you get it then ignition switch and clutch switch are OK, starter motor/solenoid is bad.
If no voltage then check switch first


EDIT:
Picture is a rubber stop not part of the clutch switch.

 

[85_Ranger_danger]

Under the dash, up at the top of clutch pedal arm is the Push Rod that goes to master cylinder, the clutch switch is clamped onto the push rod, it has a couple of clips that slide off and it opens and can come off the push rod.

But first I would check the starter motor connections.
Disconnect battery cables, both of them

Get under vehicle and loosen battery cable connector on starter motor, make sure it is clean, no corrosion.
There will be a smaller wire connected to smaller terminal on starter solenoid on top of starter motor, that is the wire that activates the motor when you turn the key to START, remove this wire.
Make sure battery cable is tight again on starter motor
Reconnect battery cables.

Put a test light or voltmeter on the smaller wire that was left loose, it should have 12volts when key is turned to START so Ground the test light or meter and connect other wire to that loose wire
Push clutch pedal in and turn the key to START, watch for light or voltage, if you get it then ignition switch and clutch switch are OK, starter motor/solenoid is bad.
If no voltage then check switch first


EDIT:
Picture is a rubber stop not part of the clutch switch.

I got it fixed. The starter was good. I ended up taking the safety switch and doing a bypass and now it fires up everytime without a problem thank you

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[HGI]

Sorry I was away for most of the day, I was just going to recommend disabling the clutch so you don't need to hold the clutch in in order to start... It's a smart thing to do regardless in case you ever blow your clutch cylinder so you can start it in 1st gear and power shift it home or shop. Doing so would have ruled out if it was a bad electrical issue somewhere. I had the same issue as you described a few years ago in one of my old Rangers, all the lights and stereo would go on but wouldn't even give me a click when I turned the key to start the truck. Sometimes it would work no problem for weeks then bam it would occur again out of the blue and I would have to cross the solenoid under the hood with a screw driver to start my truck.

Long story short it was the ignition switch wiring. Easy fix. If this issue occurs again in the future just send me a pm and I'll walk you through on fb messager on how to fix it.

Good luck, and keep a plastic handle screw driver in your truck in case it happens on the road so you can at least get it back home.

 

[85_Ranger_danger]

Sorry I was away for most of the day, I was just going to recommend disabling the clutch so you don't need to hold the clutch in in order to start... It's a smart thing to do regardless in case you ever blow your clutch cylinder so you can start it in 1st gear and power shift it home or shop. Doing so would have ruled out if it was a bad electrical issue somewhere. I had the same issue as you described a few years ago in one of my old Rangers, all the lights and stereo would go on but wouldn't even give me a click when I turned the key to start the truck. Sometimes it would work no problem for weeks then bam it would occur again out of the blue and I would have to cross the solenoid under the hood with a screw driver to start my truck.

Long story short it was the ignition switch wiring. Easy fix. If this issue occurs again in the future just send me a pm and I'll walk you through on fb messager on how to fix it.

Good luck, and keep a plastic handle screw driver in your truck in case it happens on the road so you can at least get it back home.

Thank you man. I got it all fixed. I was low on clutch fluid so I filled it bled it now my clutch is working better then it ever has since I bought it late last year. I've had all my other trucks bypassed idk why I never thought of doing that until now.. but it's fixed now

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