hey guys, 1st post! my '91 ranger just failed to turn over the other day. starter was in warranty so put another one in. replaced ignition lock/switch, "3-way" switch on clutch SEEMS to be ok? i can start the sucker up by jumping a wire from the battery to the starter relay/solenoid just fine (gets me to work!) but, therE is NO POWER getting to the relay/solenoid through that little wire. CAN ANYBODY HELP ME! TIA

 

If you can power the relay with the battery, it is probably ok. I would check the clutch interlock switch again. Not much else in the system. If the switch is ok, it might be the wire (I think red/light blue) from the clutch switch to the solenoid.

 

I have a 95 XLT that did the same thing , Turns out it was the wire from the switch under the steering collum to the soloniod.I tested it with a multimeter and it showed to be GROUNDED.So Ijust cut it at the switch,spliced in a piece of wire and ran it through the firewall to the soloniod and it worked fine.

 

thanks vin 95, that's probably exactly what i'll have to do. it was either that or run a doorbell button in the window!!! lol

 

thanks hreed, should there be 12v coming off of that one wire from the ignition switch? i was looking at the switch when i changed it & didn't really see where the voltage would be coming from. it all looked like it was grounded into the steering column. i might be totally off. thanks for the great replys guys.

 

I just went to the garage and checked out the solenoid on my 95 Ranger to see what it looked like. The single wire going to the solenoid is red/white. With the key off or key on, there is 3.85 volts on that wire. When I went to start, it registered battery voltage. I was surprised to see the voltage there with the key off. But, there should be about 12 vdc at that wire when you put the ignition switch in the start position. If there is not, you need to trace out the wiring to see where the problem is. Start at the solenoid and see what the color scheme is on that wire. Then try to trace it back to the clutch interlock switch. If the wire you looked at was grounded to the steering column, it can't be the solenoid power. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

thanks for all your fine help. y'all have a great weekend.

 

45auto-Did you figure out what the problem was?

 

no, i havn't had the time to fix it. i was going to fix it one way or another this weekend. looks like rain of course! lol. i am going to check for any voltage at the wire coming off the ignition switch. if i don't find any there i may have to just rig a way to get 12v to the starter solenoid/relay. i hate to resort to a door bell button! i still wonder if that crazy "3-way" clutch switch might be partially bad. i couldn't find a good schematic anywhere. i still don't understand how 12v gets to the ignition switch in the first place. my "haynes" book just shows "always hot". thanks again for all the good suggestions.

 

I ran a toggle switch for a while,finally pulled the panel under the collum off and spliced into the main hot out in start position,bypassing the starter relay.Have you checked your relay?

 

yeah, the relay/solenoid is how i have been starting the thing. i just jump a little wire from the battery positive over to the relay/solenoid & it starts right up. kind of inconvenient popping the hood everytime i want to go somewhere!

 

I used to just stick a screwdriver between the two big wires on the solenoid,easier than a wire , until I fixed it.I believe the wire your looking for at the switch is red with a light blue stripe.Find this wire as it comes out of the switch that is bolted to the steering collum and prob it with a multi-meter,have someone turn the key to the start position while you check for 12 volts out.If you dont get voltage,your switch may be bad.If you get voltage,you can cut this wire (leave enouge to splice to)and run a peice of wire from it,through the firewall,to the solonoid.It should work,but please NOTE this will bypass your clutch pedal safety switch.

 

that's been my problem! i don't find the switch on the steering column at all. i kept messing with the only wire coming out of the "ignition switch" (lock) & all it apparently does is ground when a key is inserted. so there is another switch somewhere on the steering column? i just havn't seen it yet! i can't find the red wire with the blue stripe under there at all. THANKS for the replies my friends.

 

Yes there is another switch,Its about a foot and a half down from the key. you will have to remove the lower part of the cover around the key (three screws)and the plastic panal under the dash,and the metal stress plate under that.The switch your looking for is a white box about 1.5x4 in.with two bolts holding it on.one nut holds the wire plug to it.

 

man i can't tell you how invauable this information is to me right now. have a great sunday & a very good week my friends. hopefully this will remedy the situation. i'll let y'all know.