'91 ranger will not start.

[RichardC95]

Hi I have a '91 ford ranger and i went to gas it up today, and i turned it off to pay. and the next thing it wouldn't start... i had to get a jump start, went home charged it, one start and it wouldn't again. the dummy gauge said it was charging fine... when i turn the ignition there's a single "click", and nothing. The only thing i can think of is putting it in nuetral, put on the parking break, and bypass the starter solonoid...

[Bonzo22]

Sounds like a start issue and your starter may be on its way out. Does it start when it is cold without jumping or charging? Also, start checking out the simple things first, battery, cables(tight and clean), wire connections to the starter, etc. After that, if you can get it started, check the voltage at the battery with a multimeter and you should be getting around a 13.7 volt or a little higher charge from the alt. Don't ever trust your idiot gauges.