not cranking but have power

[jtfromaz]

ok i have a 90 ranger i bought from a buddy for 100 dollars. i bought the truck 9 months ago and runs fine. last week it started to make a weird sound and not want to start. so i replaced the starter, and soleniod, and the altenator is only a few months old. i put the starter in today thinking it would work, but again just a click and buzz type sound. i dont know where its coming from sounds like ecu or in the engine bay on that side. please help i need to get it fixed asap. thanks for any help.

 

[Psychopete]

Was it a fast clicking sound? If so, sounds like not enough juice.

I have had a bad ground cause what you describe (- battery to engine). Make sure terminals are clean, make sure the connection to the engine is clean.

Also, bad battery. If ground looks okay, you might have it tested by an auto parts store.

Pete

 

[jtfromaz]

sorry i should have stated that. the battery is good and all the terminals and wires are good. i was trying to start it and it started to drain the battery so i used another vehicle to jump it and it would still click. but if i turned the key to start it really fast sometimes it would work but not crank over completely. its very strange i have done all the basics now im stumped................................just used a spare battery i had and it worked i feel like a tard...thanks for thelp though, plus the other battery is only a few months old.

than you
j.t.

 

[MAKG]

Run a voltage drop test on the cranking circuit while engaged. You can't tell all the terminals and cables are good without this.

 

[Psychopete]

just used a spare battery i had and it worked i feel like a tard...thanks for thelp though, plus the other battery is only a few months old.

Always good to have a good spare!

If the battery you replaced is only a few months old, you might also check the voltage at the battery when the truck is running with no electrical load, and with everything "on" and note the voltage that it reads. It should be around 13.5-14.5volts no matter what condition, if it's not, the alternator might be going bad.

I went through this on mine, battery went dead, threw in a spare, went dead 3 days later. Charged old, tested alternator, read 16v w/ no load and 12v with everything on. After I replaced the alternator, it read low 14v no matter what (brights, stereo, heater, turn signal, etc). Hasn't been an issue since.

Pete

 

[jtfromaz]

thanks for the help the altenator is only a few months old as well. that spare battery had been sitting in my garage for a few months just being used to crank over my vw so i figured it was dead but it works. thanks again for the input and help guys.

 

[MAKG]

There is more to a charging system than an alternator and battery.

That your jumpstart failed STRONGLY suggests a problem in wiring.