Wont start....hmmmmm

[cowboy63645]

I have searched and searched and have not found the answer I am looking for. I have a 88' ranger, 2.9, 5 speed manual, 4x4. When I got the truck it fired right up with no problems, after I shut it off, I went out a half hour later and it acted like the battery was dead. I replaced the battery with a brand new one. Tried to start it again and it fired right up. Went back out maybe 15 minutes later and nothin. I replaced the solenoid, checked all the grounds and power wires, nothing is grounding out. Why would the battery be acting like its dead when its brand new? Any idea's or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[coulrophobian]

Alternator? ANY other accessory that might be drawing power?

 

[coulrophobian]

Has it been sitting for a long time?

 

[cowboy63645]

the truck sat for about 6 moths inside a shop, and then I got it but they drove it every once in a while. The alternator is checking good,and there are no other accesories that are on or running while the truck is off, and nothing directly ran to the battery for power. Could it be the voltage regulator maybe? It is the internal style, but I would think if the alternator checks good then it should be good as well.

 

[cowboy63645]

I just got back from havng the alternator checked and it is still good, I had the battery on the charger while I was gone, got back home threw the battery in it and it cranked over like a brand new battery again, cranked it for a max of 10 seconds, and luckily the hood was still open, I noticed the wire running to the starter from the solenoid was smoking!! Took it off and let it cool down, what could be causing that?! The battery cables and the terminals are all brand new as of this morning, as is the battery, and the solenoid. I have no clue as to what to look for next

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Did you take the grounds apart and sand them metal to metal and then get them tite. If you have lights when it happens clean and tighten the solenoid terminals and starter terminal The battery shouldnt discharge that fast do you get a big spark when you connect the neg on the batt or just a little one. Your computer and radio memory are the only things that should have a direct connection I believe.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If the wire is that hot it sounds like the starter motor drawing alot of power either a bare wire short or the starter going bad

 

[cowboy63645]

thank you, my next place to look will be the starter and the connections, I will make sure there arent any shorts anywhere...one other thing that bothers me is that the fuel pump is on a switch, for on and off, have anything to do with drawing to much power from the battery maybe?

 

[kimcrwbr1]

If the fuel pump solenoid has been bypassed with a switch yea. it would not be that hard to get the solenoid working the way it is supposed to sounds like it has been hacked on so go thru all the wires and look for any other surprises while your at it the fuel pump system is real simple you just need to find out if your getting power from the computer to the relay and the rest is from the battery to the fuel pump thru the inertia switch under the carpet on the passenger side floor panel. I believe the 88 has only one pump in the tank but not for sure.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Also if the wire on the starter is loose or dirty it can create alot of resistance drawing alot more power. If it is clean and tighten it and you should be good if the insulation is not burnt or cracked too bad.

 

[low_five]

yeah bad connections make heat

 

[cowboy63645]

Ok, really stupid question, but does anyone have a wiring diagram for the solenoid? I had to replace mine AGAIN becasue my brand new one was cracked, and for the life of me can not remember where there wires go!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

little one goes to little connector usually the bat goes to the closest one along with the one from the harness and the other goes to the starter I dont think it matters which side as long as the one to the starter is by itself

 

[cowboy63645]

Got it all hooked up and it started right up!! I am gonna have to rewire the fuel pump to work like it should, and I am gonna have to get the exhaust welded back up and get the O2 sensor put back in it but other than that we are back in business!! woohoo!!

 

[kimcrwbr1]

cool it is always good to have a manual try your local bone yard for a good cheap one that has wiring diagrams If your pumps are still running on a switch you need to have at least a fusible link in the wire from the battery and always turn it off when stopped even for a short stop in the store. A wire fire can really end up as major surgery put the safeguards back in place.