Ok guys and gals i am at my wits end. I have a 1992 ford ranfer 2.3ltr 5speed 4cyl. One day it would not start to savr my life. So i got a battery, and new connectors. After replacing, still would not start. So i checked the starter solenoid, and replaced. Still no start. So now.... Ive replaced the starter, the key tumbler, and the ignition switch.... And now, it wont start from the key, but will if i hop across the solenoid. When it does start, after i hop across the solenoid, the starter stays running.... How do i fix this.... Im seriously thinking about driving it off a cliff. Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE.

I'm not completely clear on your problem. When you say it won't start, are you saying the engine won't run when cranked, or that the starter motor won't crank the engine?

If it's a problem with the starter motor not wanting to run & you've had some recent problems with it not wanting to crank, while holding the ignition key in to the start position, try wiggling the shifter while it's in "N" & same for the clutch pedal if a manual tranny, to try & determine if one of those "no start in gear" safety feature switches is going open circuit & breaking the starter motor relay circuit.
You can go here, log in & look up the starting circuit wiring diagram pictorial & wire color codes & let us know what you find. BBB Industries - TSB's & Wiring Diagrams

EDIT: I forgot to comment on the starter motor continuing to run when you jumped the starter relay. You must remove the jumper when the engine starts, so the starter won't continue to run. If your doing that, then maybe you have more than one problem & the starter motor Bendix is hanging up & not retracting to disengage the flywheel teeth, or because it's starter motor electrical contacts have welded shut. So, try thumping the starter with a piece of wood, or hammer Handle, Don't thump it with metal & see if it'll wake up & stop trying to run after the engine starts. If no joy, you might have to remove the starter & open it up for inspection.

If you have to replace the starter, or any electrical parts, make sure to have the store electrically bench test the new parts before leaving the store with them.

More thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.

 

UPDATE-

So now.... Ive replaced first starter and second starter. On starter number 3. First one was bad second one had a bad bendix. Starter 3 tested bad at advanced auto parts but good at orileys. Im gonna try to put it on tonight.

 

Ok, let us know how it goes.

 

If the starter doesn't work, do you have a clutch safety switch?

 

yes i do. Thats my next check after i reset the ignition tumbler.