Hey gang! Here's the latest on my 98 3.0L V6, which hit the big 200000 the other day. I went to go to work today. Turned the key to start her up, heard a weird noise (kinda like a pop), and nothing happened. It's getting a little juice cause the interior dome light works. But nothing comes on in the dash no matter what key position I use. Not even the radio or lights work. I checked the fuses and they were all good. I looked at the relays but don't know how to tell if they are good or not. Help me Obi-Wan Kenobis, you're my only hope!

 

well I'm sure as you can imagine this isn't a good sign. No headlights? paking lights? brake lights? anything? Just dome light huh.. If headlights and brake lights work its the ignition switch circuit, if not you need to test the battery, cables, fusible links, grounds etc. As long as your sure there is no major fuses blown

 

I know there is some years between our trucks, but I lost most all electrical power a couple weeks ago too. I was starting to get poor mileage, and then I noticed the headlights and radio were acting funny. If I sat at idle I could turn the headlights on and the engine would stumble &/or die.

Checked the output of the alt while running and it was only putting out 7.5v, barely enough to keep the engine running. If you can't check your alt while running (you should get at least 14+v at the battery) have it checked at an auto store that checks them for free.

 

Does the battery still have any voltage?

 

you could have a battery that is on its way out. Enough power to light the light but not to do much else. Test the battery and see what you got. Could be an alternator (or related) that went and took the battery with it. Do you have another battery you can swap in to test with?

 

Thanks for all the help folks! I forgot to mention in my original post that I'd recently changed the battery, alternator and IAC valve. Finally found the problem I think, corrosion from the old battery leaking on the positive battery cable. Cleaned it up and she started fine. I'll let ya know if that doesn't do the trick.

 

My 87 Ranger has a quite bad battery termimals and connectors. You always have to play with them a bit before she'll start. It makes a similar popping noise as the high amperage shoots through the bad connection.