I got a 1989 ranger 2.3 ltr. and when I put the key in everything works but as soon as I try to start it everything goes out and solenoid just clicks then 30 sec. later it kicks back on but it still won't start it just does the samething over and over anyone?

 

did u check your battery? hows the alternator?
quack

 

Welcome to FTE.
Begin with the battery connections. Take them apart and clean them up. When you put them back together, check to make sure that all connections are properly tightened.
Check/charge the battery. Boost if needed.

 

also check connections at starter, try spraying wd-40 on them

 

Also check the ground wire from the battery. Follow it down and make sure the other side of it is tight. It should goto the block somewhere. Maybe to the inner fender.

 

I agree with all the above checks as far as the cable connections. One other thing I might add. Maybe it will help. When you turn the key does your fuel pump run? You should hear 2 "clicks" from the passenger side as well. The reason I ask the question is there are at least 3 relays located just under the main fuse box on the passenger side of the fender near the air cleaner box. I had a related problem with a 87BII. It drove me nuts. (short drive for me) I installed new batt. cables and the starter solinoid as well. After doing all that a friend came over with his ranger and when he started his up I could hear all the 'clicks' from his relays and discoverd my problem. Right place, right time deal.

 

Do u have a good ground? That's where I would check sounds like a short somewhere to me.


Chris

 

also check the sylanoid maybe it needs replaced you could try jumping the starter and or sylanoid to do this on the sylanoid you need to unplug the little red wire and take a flat head screwdriver jump it to one of the other teminals on the sylanoid and on the starter you just jump the two terminals

 

Yeah, definitely check the solenoid. All of the fords at my house(my 77 F100, my dads 86 F150, my brother's 87 BII, my 88 Ranger) have all had a small bit of trouble from the solenoid. The first one to go bad was the Ranger's. I noticed it clicked sometimes and i would have to shut the key off and try again to start it. That was obviously a sign that it was going bad. After that it would just click and not start. I replaced it with the one from my 77 F100 because i had a brand new one in my 77 F100 even though the truck wasnt running yet. Then the F150's went bad so i replaced it with the brand new one(for 77 model) and it worked fine. I guess my brother's 87 BII doesn't need one just yet but it probably will.

 

I started using dielectric grease on all battery connections years ago, and haven't had any problem since. The grease keeps out corrosion, and assures proper connections all the time.

Use it on the terminals, the ground connections, and the solonoid connections. As much as it sounds "wrong" to put grease on a connector, this stuff works as advertised.