92 Ranger won't start

[TravisC]

My 1992 Ford Ranger (3.0L) won't start. When I turn the key, I hear a "click" somewhere under the hood and can't seem to find the particular part that makes the noise. But that's all there is. The engine doesn't try to turn over, just a "click" every time the key is turned to start. I imagine the click is a relay or solenoid somewhere underneath the power distribution box, but I honestly don't know. The battery has a full charge and when I turn the key, the headlights stay steady (they don't dim even a little). Also, I had my starter motor tested and it's good, so it's not that. All my fuses are good as well. I'm not a mechanic, but I know electronics, so I'm hoping someone here knows exactly what the problem is because I don't and I'm tired of guessing. Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks! :-)

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by TravisC

My 1992 Ford Ranger (3.0L) won't start. When I turn the key, I hear a "click" somewhere under the hood and can't seem to find the particular part that makes the noise. But that's all there is. The engine doesn't try to turn over, just a "click" every time the key is turned to start. I imagine the click is a relay or solenoid somewhere underneath the power distribution box, but I honestly don't know. The battery has a full charge and when I turn the key, the headlights stay steady (they don't dim even a little). Also, I had my starter motor tested and it's good, so it's not that. All my fuses are good as well. I'm not a mechanic, but I know electronics, so I'm hoping someone here knows exactly what the problem is because I don't and I'm tired of guessing. Any help would be very much appreciated, thanks! :-)

Welcomne to AF.

Have you cleaned the battery cable ends and posts??? Check to make sure you have 12volts going to the starter solenoid if not need to check the condition of cablle.

[TravisC]

My battery terminals are good as well as the cables off the batteries. I have 12.5V at the battery and all my electronics in the truck (dash lights, headlights, radio, etc.) come on when I turn my key to 'On'. All those electronics stay in a steady 'On' state when I turn the key to 'Start'.

Also, there's those terminals that I believe go to the starter between the battery and the Power Distribution Box under the hood. When I short the 12V terminal there to the starter switch terminal (you know, the old, cheesy hot-wiring trick), I get the same reaction I get when I turn the key, just that single 'click' somewhere deeper in the engine compartment.

So, here's an update from today. I checked my power and starter solenoid switch wires directly at the starter motor today with my multimeter. My power cable was steady at about 0.3V and my starter solenoid wire went from 0V to 0.2V when the key was turned to 'Start'. So, my understanding is that the power cable SHOULD be a constant 12V and the starter solenoid wire should go hot when the key is turned. This makes me think that 'tempfixit' is right when you suggest to check the condition of those cables. Ok, my question now is: are there any components between the power distribution box and the starter solenoid I should check first? Tomorrow, I'm going to do the painful task of trying to trace out the cables from the starter back to my battery and see where I lose my signal. I can't seem to find any decent wiring diagrams online, so maybe someone can point me in the right direction there, that would help me a lot. Thanks for any help provided! :-)

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by TravisC

My battery terminals are good as well as the cables off the batteries. I have 12.5V at the battery and all my electronics in the truck (dash lights, headlights, radio, etc.) come on when I turn my key to 'On'. All those electronics stay in a steady 'On' state when I turn the key to 'Start'.

Also, there's those terminals that I believe go to the starter between the battery and the Power Distribution Box under the hood. When I short the 12V terminal there to the starter switch terminal (you know, the old, cheesy hot-wiring trick), I get the same reaction I get when I turn the key, just that single 'click' somewhere deeper in the engine compartment.

So, here's an update from today. I checked my power and starter solenoid switch wires directly at the starter motor today with my multimeter. My power cable was steady at about 0.3V and my starter solenoid wire went from 0V to 0.2V when the key was turned to 'Start'. So, my understanding is that the power cable SHOULD be a constant 12V and the starter solenoid wire should go hot when the key is turned. This makes me think that 'tempfixit' is right when you suggest to check the condition of those cables. Ok, my question now is: are there any components between the power distribution box and the starter solenoid I should check first? Tomorrow, I'm going to do the painful task of trying to trace out the cables from the starter back to my battery and see where I lose my signal. I can't seem to find any decent wiring diagrams online, so maybe someone can point me in the right direction there, that would help me a lot. Thanks for any help provided! :-)

Have you checked the starter relay in the distribtion box in the engine compartment???

Have you tried looking in your local library for the EBSCOHOST, it should have a link to AUTO REPAIR REFERENCE CENTER (ARRC)?

Send me a Private message with your email address and I will send you the wiring diagram for the starting system from the above mentioned site.

You can also try autozone.com repair info. You will need to register but free.

[hoppedup]

turn the key to on then jump cross the soinled with a screw driver battery side to the closest side pin, that will do away with all the things to see if the starter,cables,battery is good if it dont turn then i say locked up starter

[RichardC95]

I assume you've solved this. So what was the problem. I'm having similar issues but unfortunaley its late and i cant really try that now.
Thanks Dick Lee