Help, won't start
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: 3 mi N of Crookston, NE
Help, won't start
I'm driving a 1992 Ranger my Dad loaned to me, with the inline 4-banger engine and five-speed manual transmission. I'm not very familiar with these vehicles. After several starts with no problems over the day, the Ranger was shut off for fifteen minutes at a fast-food restuarant and wouldn't start. There seems to be no response of any kind under the hood when the key is turned. The warning buzzer for key in the ignition still sounds. I thought maybe the battery might be down, so tried to jump-start it with no response. Could it be the safety switch on the clutch? Are there any related fuses or breakers? I'm puzzled after not being able to jump-start it. I'm working two jobs so don't have much time to work on it, but don't have the money right now to take it to a garage. Thanks for any ideas.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Could be a number of things & you've already put two of them on your suspect list.
Has it given any previous signs at all lately of trouble starting????
Maybe consider beginning with some quck basic trouble shooting to try & narrow it down.
To do a rough battery load & cable connection test, how bright are the head lights when you turn them on, then how bright are they when you try to crank the engine????
If thats ok, do you hear any under hood "click" when you try to crank the engine???
If not, then begin an inspection of the starter control electrical wiring, connection & components.
Look for broken wires, loose or corroded connections.
If that;s ok, try thumping or wiggeling things like the key in the ignition swich, clutch/neutral start switch & it's wiring, starter relay, solenoid & the starter motor.
Will it start & run if it's pushed & you pop the clutch in 1'st gear to spin the motor over????
Let us know what you find.
Has it given any previous signs at all lately of trouble starting????
Maybe consider beginning with some quck basic trouble shooting to try & narrow it down.
To do a rough battery load & cable connection test, how bright are the head lights when you turn them on, then how bright are they when you try to crank the engine????
If thats ok, do you hear any under hood "click" when you try to crank the engine???
If not, then begin an inspection of the starter control electrical wiring, connection & components.
Look for broken wires, loose or corroded connections.
If that;s ok, try thumping or wiggeling things like the key in the ignition swich, clutch/neutral start switch & it's wiring, starter relay, solenoid & the starter motor.
Will it start & run if it's pushed & you pop the clutch in 1'st gear to spin the motor over????
Let us know what you find.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
i think from his description the truck is not cranking over at all.....it is not the fuel pump relay......
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
do like pawpaw suggested........doe sit pop start.....do your headlights work. do the dash light al come on when you turn it to the run position......if the answer is yeas and it pops starts it could be the clutch switch, the starter, the fender relay, the wires to these things.......
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: 3 mi N of Crookston, NE
I borrowed a bigger pickup tonight and pulled it and it started right off. Before that I cleaned up the battery terminals and cables. I drove it for 15 miles and everything seemed normal. Even started again after I shut it off, so maybe there was just a bad cable connection. I still can't figure why I wasn't able to start it with jumper cables. Whether it starts or not tomorrow, I plan on trying to get the battery tested, it is getting some age on it. And I will park in open spaces! By the way, what exactly do you mean by the "fender relay"? Thanks for all the good input.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
I borrowed a bigger pickup tonight and pulled it and it started right off. Before that I cleaned up the battery terminals and cables. I drove it for 15 miles and everything seemed normal. Even started again after I shut it off, so maybe there was just a bad cable connection. I still can't figure why I wasn't able to start it with jumper cables. Whether it starts or not tomorrow, I plan on trying to get the battery tested, it is getting some age on it. And I will park in open spaces! By the way, what exactly do you mean by the "fender relay"? Thanks for all the good input.
