No crank Issue. Help appreciated

[97RangerPete]

Hey everyone,
Had intermittent no crank issues recently, replaced safety switch, cleared up issues for a bit, have it spot on I believe, will test with a helper at some point. Anyway, the issue I'm having now is with the key itself, I need to hold the key forward for a few seconds before the engine will crank, a significant delay between key and starter. Not sure what might be causing this, ignition switch? ideas? thanks a lot for reading, appreciate any input I can get.

Pete

 

[Dirtman]

What year is your truck?

 

[97RangerPete]

yep, 97

 

[Dirtman]

I'd be inclined to suspect the starter relay may need to be replaced. Swap it with another relay in the under hood fuse panel and see if the problem stops.

 

[97RangerPete]

Thank you Dirtman, I will replace it today. Fingers crossed.

 

[97RangerPete]

we talking solenoid relay or relay within the under hood fuse box?

 

[Dirtman]

If your truck is old enough to still have a solenoid on the firewall then test that, I don't know what year exactly they ditched that system and went to using the setup that has a regular relay in the fuse box under the hood. It's one or the other not both.

 

[97RangerPete]

firewall mount, tried jumping the posts with the ignition on, no dice... will replace.

 

[97RangerPete]

did my due diligence and checked my grounds before throwing parts at the thing, the ground on my starter had worked its way loose. readjusted and jumped the solenoid, fired up, starts as it should now. spot of the old lock tight on that bolt...