ignition problem

[silentpeat]

I recently purchasedd an 88 ranger, the previous owner had put a push button starter in it (which I like). lately, it seems to be shorting out @ the key. I need to move the key around until the radio comes on then it will start. Also while driving in the mountains it started to hesitate, the radio went off and on then the truck stalled. Related? it felt like an electrical issue along the same lines with the ignition.Or possibly a fueling issue? Any insight into where to start looking for the problem would be great. the truck is an 88 maual with the2.9l motor although the vin has it as the 4 banger (motor swap?)
thanks,

 

[martin]

Sounds like a bad ignition switch.

 

[TimR]

Sounds like a bad ignition switch.

which is probably why it got the push button, in the first place... lol

 

[88rangr]

I have just replaced both the key switch and the slider just below that changes the electrical contacts, unhook the battery put the truck in RUN position, use a thin rod and push it in the hole, then wiggle the key and the key switch should come out, to replace the slider just below I ran into a wire length problem, so I moved them around to get them to come toward the connectors better. Any more I can do , please message me.

88 Ranger 2.9L 4x4 219,000 miles.

Larry

 

[Mark_88]

Mine was doing something similar and sometimes I turned the key and nothing...it was the xlip under the hood...am in the process of changing out the whole light/horn and power harness...but I managed to fix it temporarily by cutting out that connector and putting in a trailer light 4-wire plus a few direct connections...

Yours may be the starter switch, but check that connector over...I know they are similar because mine had a 2.9 origially...

 

[midget28]

Might change the solenoid too its less than $10 and they probably hooked the button directly to it to bypass the ingition, Ive seen alot of rednecks do it and they hook it up wrong most of the time.