Truck wont start with key

[The Dooger]

Hey guys quick question, I have a 94 ranger 4cyl and when I turn the key over nothing happens, the power comes on but wont crank. I can jump the solenoid with a screw driver and she starts fine. What's my issue?

 

[Kowboy]

Automatic or manual transmission? Whatcha got?

 

[Kowboy]

Manual shift = possible clutch pedal position sensor. Possibly starter relay in the battery junction box.

 

[RonD]

Vehicles now have a Neutral Safety switch(NSS)
If an automatic trans then there is a switch on the transmission, this switch must be depressed/closed for the 12volts from the key/ignition switch to pass to the starter motor, it is only depressed when trans is all the way into Park or Neutral.
Cable shifters can get out of adjustment, so Park is not "all the way in" so switch isn't closed, try starting in Neutral.
This is also the Reverse Light switch, so if Reverse lights are not working, look at the switch.

On Manual trans the NSS is on the clutch pedal push rod, when clutch pedal is pushed down all the way this switch is closed and 12volts can pass from key/ignition switch to starter motor.
This switch just clamps on to the push rod and floats on the rod.

When the key is turned it moves a slide bar in the ignition switch, this switch has 4 positions, ACC-OFF-RUN-START
Each position has it's own 12volt OUT wire, so ignition switch could also be the problem, but NSS or its wiring is the most likely cause.

Ignition switch-----------NSS----------------Starter solenoid/relay

 

[The Dooger]

Thanks for the responses, it is a manual trans mission and upon further investigation two of the wires on the clutch interlock switch are already cut and spliced together and two are still wired into the connector. So is the clutch interlock switch already bypassed?

 

[The Dooger]

I replaced the ignition switch on the column and replaced the ignition key lock cylinder also because the key wouldn't come out and was on a 45 degree angle from the lock cylinder. My question is where do I go from here?

 

[The Dooger]

Well now I have some new findings, there is a small wire spliced(green arrow) into the small wire the goes to the solenoid. I am not sure what this wire is to but it run up under the transmission tunnel and I lose it. I disconnected(red/lt blue) it(left red circle) and held it again the small post on top of the solenoid and it starts now. So now im trying to figure out what this spliced in wire is for? I never put it on the truck I got it this way, so im wondering if it is damaged somewhere under the truck because I never had a starting issue prior till now.

 

[The Dooger]

[/IMG]

 

[The Dooger]

[/IMG] This is where the wire leads to, so was he using it a starter button? I didn't even know it was there it was hidden by the shifter boot.

 

[The Dooger]

Got her fixed and she starts with key now! Thanks guys!