no crank...no start, with lights.
 

My 98 8Ranger 3.0L 4x4 has a no start issue.

Turn the key and all I get is a "click!" The lights/electrical is working.
My first thought is the Starter. So I got under neath to have a look. I had a buddy turn the key while I was looking from underneath. I could see that the connection to the starter is corroded. I could see a spark every time he turned the key.
I tried to give the Starter a tap or two with a light hammer. No result.
I am thinking if I replaced the cable from the Battery to the Starter, the connection will be clean and solid, and she might start.
The Truck does have 241,000 miles on it. Original Starter.
I think that The Starter itself could be all done starting.

What do you guys think? Starter?....or...Starter Cable/Connection?

Well as a minimum I'd suspect that corroded/arcing starter connection you described.

You could test it, if you have a good set of heavy gauge low resistance jumper cables & use one of them to parallel connect the suspect battery cable. If it'll then crank ok, the starter motor is likely ok, so then suspect the corroded connection, or the old battery cable.

So clean the connection & see if it'll crank, if so, it was likely the corrosion. If not, it was likely the battery cable, if parallel connecting with the jumper cable causes it to crank ok.

thanks man, upon clser inspection...the wire from the starter solenoid to the starter motor was too corroded to pass current. I replaced the starter assembly. thanks for the input.

oh by the way: The new part came with a TSB/ and a new wire attatched to the solenoid terminal. TSB states the likely cause of the starter failure was the worn/corroded connection.
I decided against soldering the new wire as mine looks to be in good shape.

OK, good feedback & to hear you seem to have it put right & are, "on the road again"!!!