No electrical power, battery showing 12v

[Rangerrdangerr]

I have a 1998 Ranger that I’m having electrical issues with. Drove my Ranger to work everything worked as normal. When I was getting ready to go home I attempted to start the truck. I turned the key the dash lights all came on as usual. As soon as I turned the key to start it I heard a click and then nothing on the dash. All the lights went out, the radio don’t work, nothing works. Now the truck won’t start. I tested the battery to see if it’s bad but it showed me 12.4 volts. I also checked all the fuses for blown fuses and swapped around the relays. Anyone have any idea what this could be? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sounds like a bad connection or corroded wires. Check the heavy gauge wires both neg and pos at the battery and follow them down to the starter. Sometimes the insulation can hide badly corroded wires, so feel if the wires are stiff, especially the inches nearest the end.

 

[pjtoledo]

what volts when you try cranking? or turn the lights on.
check both the actual terminals and the connectors.

a second test, connect the voltmeter between the negative terminal and the actual engine. normal reading should be zero.
if the ground is bad the engine will show voltage during cranking.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I agree, potential negative cable problem and/or a shorted starter. Battery cables can corrode to junk inside the insulation so it’s not always noticeable. Time to break out the voltmeter and do some investigating.

Moving this over to electrical

 

[SenorNoob]

Also wanna say 12.4 is low. 12.8 is more like it. Tho that can vary depending on the meter that much.

 

[Rangerrdangerr]

Bro thanks a lot, that’s exactly what it was. My positive cable was corroded. I cleaned it and applied dielectric grease and now it starts and runs great.