wiring harness difference between a 96 and 99 ranger

[emanning]

Howdy, I have a 96 ford ranger, 3 liter engine. I replaced the engine out of a 99 ranger. My problem is the engine doesn't even turn over when I try to start it. The wiring harness is very similar except there is an extra plug coming out towards the back of the engine with approx 10 wires on it that my old engine didn't have. Do you think that this could be the problem? I asked a local mechanic and he said I need to replace the harness with the old one. I also pulled the master clutch cylinder to bleed it and I believe I got the spring loaded wiring sensor back in place correctly. It may not be, not sure how I would know if it wasn't. Before I pull the wiring harness, I thought I would ask if anyone knows whether I should check something else. I unfortunately don't have a computer diagnostic checker.
Thanks, Eric

 

[wvcat]

you will have to install the 96 harness on the 99 engine. I think the 96 is OBDI and the 99 is OBDII so its completely different. The plug on the back is for the trans. You can use a jumper to bypass the clucth switch.
John

 

[srteach]

Ford made the 95 & up as OBDII. That is not the specific difference on the wiring harness, though there may be other differences. If that plug goes to an auto trans, and you have a manual, you need to jump the clutch switch. Try that first, before you trade harnesses.

 

[snake]

They should both be OBDII.

When you say it doesn't even turn over, you mean the starter doesn't work, correct? If so, what does the "theft" light do when you try to start? (I'm assuming it has the PATS system and has a theft light) If the theft light blinks that is the problem, it isn't reading the key properly.

If it is just the starter that isn't working I'd try to jump it with a screwdriver and see if it turns over. Could be the PATS, a relay, bad connection, bad starter, nuetral safety switch, etc.

 

[emanning]

Hi,
Thanks for the info, I am not sure how to "jump" the clutch switch. The spring loaded assembly around the master clutch lever has about 8 wires coming from it. I don't think my truck has the PATS on it as I don't see anything that looks like a ''theft" light on the dashboard. I'll try to jump the starter to see if it turns over. So what I am hearing is the wiring harnesses should be compatible?