My mom's '99 Ranger (4.0) refused to start once after a few hours of driving (no clicking, no noise), but decided to crank right up after an hour of sitting. The truck was brought home immediately incase it didn't start again. Well, it didn't.

It obviously has something to do with the starter. The battery is good and I can't find any damaged wires. But I can't get the starter to come off. The bolts would rather strip. WD-40 does no good. I'm guessing there's no choice but to have it taken to a shop.

I was trying to pull the starter off to have it tested at Advance Auto Parts. But since that's a no go, I'd like to check it myself before we have it towed to the shop.

A few minutes with a voltage tester, and I realize I don't know what I'm doing. This thing isn't quite as obvious as my '73 ranger.
Sooo, between the solenoid and starter (which seem to be mounted as a single unit), How, where, and when do I test to confirm the problem?

If the starter is stopped up, would it still have current? Also, hitting either doesn't do anything. There's no noise coming from anywhere either.

 

Well if you don't hear any sounds/clicking, you might back up to the starter relay & check the power to it's coil.

If it's an auto tranny, the power will come from the ignition switch, through the neutral start switch, to the starter relay.
So, if the neutral start switch is faulty, you won't get power to the starter relay, to close it's contacts & power the starter motor.

You might try shifting to Neutral instead of Park & see if it'll work there. If so, suspect the Neutral start switch, it's electrical connector or wiring.

If it's a manual tranny, also try shifting to Neutral & see if it'll crank. If so, suspect it's neutral start switch.

Once the starter relay is powered, it should crank, if the starter motor is ok, which it sounds like it might be, if you aren't hearing the relay click, or it's intermittent.

If there is no power to the neutral start switch, then suspect a worn ignition switch, wiring, or electrical connector.

Have you had any problems with it lately, like it feeling unusually warm, or having to jiggle it to make contact????

BTW most autoparts stores will do a no cost electrical system check up, that includes the starter motor & the remainder of the entire electrical system, in the vehicle, with their portable electrical system tester. So there is no need to remove the starter motor, to have it checked.

All you have to be able to do is get the vehicle there!!!!

Just some thoughts, let us know how your trouble-shoot goes.

 

The first thing I'd do is jumper over the starter solenoid to test whether or not it's operating properly. You can do that with a jumper cable alligator clip.

 

Hi pawpaw, I think I'm having the same problem on my 2000 Ranger (auto, 2WD, 121k miles). Sometimes it will start right up and other times I have to start it in neutral. Sometimes I have to jiggle back and forth between park and neutral a few times and then it might start in park or in neutral. When it won't start, I just get one "click" sound. It doesn't even try to turn over. Been having this problem off an on for a couple of weeks now. What do you think?

 

Hi, Sean

I'm in Alexandria, BTW.

I'm thinking you have a MLPS (Manual Lever Position Sensor) problem. This used to be known as the backup light switch or the neutral switch. If your MLPS doesn't think your truck is in P or N, then it won't let it start. Are there any other issues, particularly shifting? Any CEL's?

I'm not totally sure, tho, so someone else might be able to help a bit here.

Good luck!

 

Thanks ColonyPark! Yes, I do have a CEL for the EGR valve (code PO401). I already replaced the DPFE sensor (which was definitely fouled up) so I guess that this time it really is the EGR that's gone bad.

Is the MLPS an "easy" (couple of hours with limited experience) or "hard" (best to let the mechanic do it) kind of repair?

 

I'm having the same problem as masterJ. I replaced the battery (it was bad anyway), and the starter over this weekend. Sometimes it starts, and sometimes there is no noise at all (dash-lights and radio come on). After it's running, it runs fine...hoping that it starts is the part that bothers me. Anyway, does anyone know where I can find the starter-relay on a 2000 Ranger 4 cyc. Standard trans? Once I've found it, how can I test it? I've called a couple auto parts stores out here (checkers, napa), and they didn't have a starter relay on hand.

 

The MLPS is easy for sure, but I'm not 100% sure that's the source of your problem. I'd hate for you to keep throwing parts at it. With the description you gave, it sounds like jockying the shifter fixes the problem. If that's the case the MPLS is definitely a likely possibility. However, it may be something as simple as a loose ground somewhere.

Does the clock ever reset to 12:00 when that happens?

 

If you have a manual tranny, be sure to check the clutch/starter interlock switch.

If it's bad, the starter relay won't get power to operate & supply power to the starter motor.

 

What's the part # for the starter relay?

 

I found the part at NAPA. The book name is "Starter Solenoid Switch", Non-Napa P/N SS94.

Now I just have to find it on my truck...

 

Specs: 2000 ranger 2.5L manual trans. Broken.

Well, the part that I got resembles a starter solenoid. Not a relay. I'm more confused now...So far I've put on a new battery, reman starter, and I've got a "starter solenoid switch" (which I thought was a starter relay?) that I'll probably end up taking back. After hours of searching, I'm pretty sure that this isn't on my truck.

My truck starts sometimes, when it does it runs great. But sometimes the dash lights and radio come on but it doesn't crank...there's not even a clicking noise. Nothing, no noise at all. Can someone please help me?

Thank you,

Frustrated and late for work in Honolulu.

 

That sounds exactly like the solenoid has gone bad. Follow the positive cable from the battery to find it.

RP
Zach

 

I took my old starter in to have it checked, and it is good solenoid and all. I just put a new one on 2 days ago. I've had this problem with both starters. Not sure what else it could be.

 

Well 2000_ranger, seeing as how you have a manual tranny, I'd look to the clutch position switch, sometimes referred to as the clutch/starter interlock switch, as the power to operate the starter relay, must first pass throught it.