No Start After New Battery

[03machstock]

Hello, I have an 88 ranger with a 2.9. 5 speed, 2wd. So I left my lights on the other day because it was snowing while i was driving and when i got to where i was going it was not and it was bright out so i completely forgot about it. Battery was completely dead. I jump started it and drove to to my gf's house where i spent the night and kept it at a constant rpm for about 30 seconds before i shut it off. Next morning it started, slow but it started. The battery was old anyway so it was time to turn her in. New battery is larger than the old one, but what the book calls for at napa. Put the new battery in, go to start, and I just get one click. The lights are bright and everything inside the cab is working fine. When i go to start it just one big click. Cleaned the connections real good but same thing. Any ideas on what this may be? I have not pursued the click yet, because no one is home to turn the key for me while the hood is popped but it is coming from the engine bay somewhere.
Thanks in advance,
Dan

 

[03machstock]

So i just went out and messed with it some. With the key on, and a sledge hammer handle wedging the clutch peddle down, i tried jumping the solonoid on the inner fender right by the battery with a screw driver. When i jump between the two large bolts, nothing happens. When i jump between the bolt that the power comes from, to the little stud on the top with the wire that has a rubber elbow on it, it makes the clicking noise that i am hearing from inside the cab. So, what does this mean? Please excuse my electrical ignorance.

 

[southamerica65]

check the wire going from the coilpack to the top of the engine mine was corroded and did the same thing yours is doing cean it off and boom it starts

 

[RonD]

A solenoid is pretty simple to understand, it is a relay but when a relay must pass a lot of AMPs they call it a solenoid, go figure.

There is a large 12v wire to the battery, and another larger 12v wire to the starter motor.
The solenoid connects these two wires together when activated and starter spins.

The smaller wire/connector is the activation wire, normally when key is turned to "Start" this wire will have 12v and you will hear a "Click" as the solenoid moves into place, connecting the large wires together.
The solenoid chassis is grounded, that completes the activation circuit.

So jumping 12v to the small connector should give you the "click" and starter should turn.
The clutch/neutral safety switch is on the small wire circuit so jumping here will turn over the starter no matter what, SO MAKE SURE IT IS IN NEUTRAL!!!!!!

It reads like your solenoid is working but may be worn out internally, or starter motor wire or circuit/internal has a problem.

With truck IN NEUTRAL!! you can use Jumper cables, larger cable, and by-pass the solenoid, just connect Red jumper cable to battery + and touch other end of Red jumper cable to Starter motor wire on the solenoid, if starter doesn't turn then check the wire on the starter, but you will most likely have to pull it.
If starter does turn over engine when you jump the solenoid then replace solenoid.

 

[03machstock]

check the wire going from the coilpack to the top of the engine mine was corroded and did the same thing yours is doing cean it off and boom it starts

A solenoid is pretty simple to understand, it is a relay but when a relay must pass a lot of AMPs they call it a solenoid, go figure.

There is a large 12v wire to the battery, and another larger 12v wire to the starter motor.
The solenoid connects these two wires together when activated and starter spins.

The smaller wire/connector is the activation wire, normally when key is turned to "Start" this wire will have 12v and you will hear a "Click" as the solenoid moves into place, connecting the large wires together.
The solenoid chassis is grounded, that completes the activation circuit.

So jumping 12v to the small connector should give you the "click" and starter should turn.
The clutch/neutral safety switch is on the small wire circuit so jumping here will turn over the starter no matter what, SO MAKE SURE IT IS IN NEUTRAL!!!!!!

It reads like your solenoid is working but may be worn out internally, or starter motor wire or circuit/internal has a problem.

With truck IN NEUTRAL!! you can use Jumper cables, larger cable, and by-pass the solenoid, just connect Red jumper cable to battery + and touch other end of Red jumper cable to Starter motor wire on the solenoid, if starter doesn't turn then check the wire on the starter, but you will most likely have to pull it.
If starter does turn over engine when you jump the solenoid then replace solenoid.

Thanks for the help guys, it is dark here now but i dont have work tomorrow so ill jump on this first thing in the morning. I really appreciate it!

 

[03machstock]

It was the starter! Thanks for the help. I just didnt think it would be something that simple seeing how it worked right before i swapped batteries.
Thanks again!,
Dan

 

[RonD]

Glad you got it fixed

The low volts/amps from an almost dead battery can put extra stress on the starter, that slow long cranking time heats it up.