My 98 Ranger left me stranded today and cost me $160 tow home. I couldn't figure it out. I've been running it all day long with no issues. My last stop of the day I came out and got nothing when turning the key. I tried to jump because it was in the 30's outside but that didn't do anything. I had a few tools and some wrenches with me so I tapped on the starter and it did nothing. I swapped the starter relay out with the blower fan relay and that didn't do anything. I had it towed home to check to see if the engine was moving. I turned it by hand when I got it home and there was no issue. Then I decided to try and start it and it fired right up. Then I turned it off and took the key out and tried to start it and nothing happened again. Checked the battery with my tester and it's good with 12.5 volts. I remember I also tried to start it in Neutral and Drive when I was stuck and it didn't do anything. So I was thinking maybe the netural switch is bad. However, it will start right up if I take the key out and try it again a few times. However, off the all the times I just tried, maybe 6 or 7 times it never would start in neutral. I did replace the ignition switch about 2-3 months ago because my radio was staying on when I had the key out. It hasn't done that since I replaced the switch. Could it be the neutral switch or the ignition cylinder? I've got a new cylinder that I never put in. I'm still using the original key and cylinder right now and I'm at 419,000 miles. Is there a way to verify if it's the neutral switch that is bad versus the ignition key cylinder? My 98 Ford Ranger factory service manual doesn't have the symptom charts in it because I don't have the PCED manual as part of it.