Truck dead! Battery at 12.5v

[magrasjc]

Hello!
More misadventures with a 3L 2004 ranger...
Its dead Jim. ... Ok(disconnected) battery seems alive but no sound and no lights.

I have the cover of the steering column off to change shift solenoid.
I have a multi-meter ...
A. What can I test for on engine dead problem?
B.only YouTube entry is for a tilting steering wheel but mine does not tilt.
Does the steering column top cover have to come off? How?
How do I get to the shift solenoid?

Sincerely,
JC Magras

 

[91stranger]

What are you trying to accomplish here? Not much of a back story here.

 

[RonD]

The shift interlock actuator(solenoid) is under the steering column
You remove the steering column covers so you can remove the lower dash panels under the steering column
The top cover will come off after you get the lower panels off


Near the battery tray and engine fuse box is the MEGA FUSE, all power runs thru this one fuse, test it to make sure its not blown
Also test all the 40-60amp fuses in the engine fuse box
Use the multi-meter set to OHMS
Touch the two meter probes together, you should see 0 OHMS that means good connection
Now touch probes to fuse terminals, one on each terminal, should see the same 0 OHMS, fuse is OK, if not 0 OHMS fuse is blown