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Crossed battery cables 86 ranger 2.9 V6 super cab auto


Ktownkc101

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2024
Messages
13
City
64124
Vehicle Year
1986
Transmission
Automatic
I replaced the battery after burning up the starter solenoid now it turns over but won't start someone help please
 
On a typical crank no start.... we look for spark and fuel. The title suggests the battery cables were crossed and burned up the relay.

Did you see smoke?

Maybe describe exactly what happened when the cables were reversed...
 
On a typical crank no start.... we look for spark and fuel. The title suggests the battery cables were crossed and burned up the relay.

Did you see smoke?

Maybe describe exactly what happened when the cables were reversed...
Yes at the solenoid on passenger side burnt up smoked I replaced it
 
Yes the solenoid on the passenger side above the fender burnt up I seen smoke and I replaced it
 
There are a couple fusible links that connect to that relay. Those links supply power to the majority of the trucks electrical system.

Are those fusible links still intact and supplying power?

Will it crank with the key... or are you jumping the relay to crank it?
 
It cranks with the key One of the wires does look a little burnt and it has a fuse in it I haven't opened that little box for the fuses yet but I'm going to this morning it also got stuck cranking last night I had to go tap on the solenoid to get it to stop
 
Take a little time and inspect all the wiring at that relay.

Fusible links are just wire designed to carry a certain amount of amperage. Inspect those wires closely.
 
One of the fusible links broke a while back so I've been and I never put anything in its place it's just been twisted together the wires have so I've had to replace the solenoid three times now but the last time was because of crossing the battery cables but yeah I'm about to go out there in a minute and check thank you very much
 
Ok so would my 86 require a Federal or California emissions computer
 
Ok so would my 86 require a Federal or California emissions computer
Most likely federal.

But if you look at the emission label on the core support it should say "complies to 1986 federal (or california) new light duty truck engines"...or similar.

That said though the ECM has no part to play in the cranking process. Most likely your issue is in the wiring, probably the bypassed fusiable link
 
One of the fusible links broke a while back so I've been and I never put anything in its place it's just been twisted together the wires have so I've had to replace the solenoid three times now but the last time was because of crossing the battery cables but yeah I'm about to go out there in a minute and check thank you very much
Broke or burnt?

If you have any kind of smoke or burnt up components.... something is likely shorted to ground or an overcurrent condition existed to cause it.

Replacing the ECM is like pissing in the wind. You need to diagnose why you're burning shit up.
 
There are a couple fusible links that connect to that relay. Those links supply power to the majority of the trucks electrical system.

Are those fusible links still intact and supplying power?

Will it crank with the key... or are you jumping the relay to crank it?
It cranks with key
 

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