what is making my ranger not start,just click.cant be starter or battery i replaced both

Asked by Nancy May 13, 2012 at 08:28 AM about the 1997 Ford Ranger XL Standard Cab SB

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

my truck just makes one click when i turn ignition over.i have changed the starter and solenoid,changed
the neutral safety switch and the back up light switch and starter relay.still nothing but when battery is
disconnected and the positive cable is put back on my truck tries to start with ignition turned off

46 Answers

24,775

You either have a wiring issue or your ignition switch is bad. Does the ignition switch "feel" normal when you rotate it? Do all the accessories work normally with the switch? Try having the starter unmounted from engine and support it and try the ignition again. Watch to see if the starter spins and the solenoid engages. It is possible to have a new starter bad right out of the box. The issue of starter engaging when connecting the positive cable goes back to ignition switch or misplaced or wiring problem.

69 people found this helpful.
3,115

Do you have an alarm or a remote starter???

109 people found this helpful.
1,600

Sounds strange to say this. Had problems with 04 ranger. Replaced everything part by part and even paid to get theft device reset ($3000+ over time with labor) to get the single click sound again and again after it running then not. Was frustrated to the point to scraping it... simple dumbass problem. Turn the steering wheel straight and immediately cranks.

160 people found this helpful.
1,220

If the battery is fully charged and you try starting the truck and it only clicks the the starter relay is no good. If your looking from the front of your truck it will be located on the drivers side fender. It will have several wires going to it. I recommend you disconnect the negative cable from th battery and change the relay out.

103 people found this helpful.
820

My ranger will not start or shut off with the key why is that

82 people found this helpful.
1,620

I'm having a starter problem with my 03 Ranger. I also just turned my steering wheel a bit and it started right up. I know it's not my battery, alternator, starter, cables, or fuel pump. So, is it the ignition switch that's going bad?

162 people found this helpful.
1,050

I had the same problem tonight. Started to crank over and started then died. I tried to start it again and it only clicked. Then I read on here how turning the steering wheel worked. I tried it and started right up. Thanks. I have had problems with the radio not getting power for awhile now. I turn off the ignition switch and it works. I don't want to replace the switch, but will have to sometime I guess.

58 people found this helpful.
2,630

I have a 1996 Ford Ranger, I changed my starter and starter relay, got a new battery but it still wont start. the lights and radio work just fine. it does make a clicking noise any idea what may be wrong?

263 people found this helpful.
520

my 2003 ranger 2.3l 16v was running ok until I changed the alternator now will not even turn over. checked all connection and ok.

51 people found this helpful.
360

I turn the steering wheel and it started right up thanks for your help

36 people found this helpful.
550

I have a 99 ford ranger 3.0, I was driving it down the road and it quit never made a sound and now when I turn the key nothing happens my fuel pump dosnt come on,but I bridged out the solenoid and it turned over but won't crank

55 people found this helpful.
1,720

my husband has a 03 ford ranger. Son was driving yesterday and he said just all the sudden the power went out and the truck started slowing down. He said it made no noise but he had lights and radio. Tried to start only to get 1 click. CHanged the starter and bought a new battery after we were told the battery had a dead cell. Still wont start. just 1 click any help would be appreciated.

172 people found this helpful.
310

On one of my vehicles with the same problem, it turned out to be a loose connection on the starter. Pulled the cables and it would start, I was lucky to find it. However, on my Ranger I'm gonna go with solonoid. Will let you know how it turns out.

31 people found this helpful.
780

I have a 2001 Ranger Manual Transmission. Starting has become increasingly difficult. To the point now that I have to slam the clutch in to get it to turn over. Even that is taking several tries. Any idea what would cause that?

78 people found this helpful.
700

2001 ford ranger battery is charged everything works inside headlights work. Clicks at relay but don't do anything else

70 people found this helpful.
650

Mark, if there is a clicking at the relay its either the relay or the starter. I would try jump the start with a starter button, if it starts you know its the relay, if not its the starter. Hope this helps you.

24 people found this helpful.
200

Someone probably went under the hood when you weren't looking and messed with it. I'd put it safely in a garage where no one can get to it.

20 people found this helpful.
320

I have a 98 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab 3.0 a starter problems I got the starter put it on and it would crank over just a couple times then it made this god-awful sound from underneath the truck sounded like a pulley or something was locked up but the pulleys we're all turning over and belts was all spent freely I took the starter back out then I had a guy look at my flywheel he said it was kind of hard to turn and it shouldn't have been that rough I was directly under the motor right where the oil pan is and mind you this is an automatic as you was trying to turn the flywheel I can hear a little squeaking what could that possibly be cuz I can't seem to ever get any answers about it I'm not a mechanic but I like my truck and I like to have it running again could somebody please help me with an answer

32 people found this helpful.
650

How many miles are on it and have you changed your timing chain lately? Did you over heat it? It could be vapor locked.

17 people found this helpful.
440

Good afternoon we having problem with the ford ranger 2010 4x4 model with starting. Its just crank and falling to start but if you push it it will start or if you use quick start it will start. What could be the problem? Please help

44 people found this helpful.
250

Try your fuse panel on the side of the dash in the drivers side, it’s a 25 amp mini and if I can recall I think it’s fuse 19

25 people found this helpful.
1,220

If you can push it and it starts it sound like the starter solenoid. I do not know if it is on the starter itself or on the fire wall. Just something to consider.

13 people found this helpful.
230

I have a problem with my ford range 2008 when I start it doesn't start its just switch every thing on but the car is not starting

23 people found this helpful.
190

If it does not click fiddle with the two wire connection going to the starter motor I have just done the same thing to my ranger and sprayed the connection with WD40 after over a year of turning the key several times before the starter will engage. Now it is fine probably due to the damp atmospere at present. Hope this helps.

19 people found this helpful.
190

If you ranger is not starting take the casing off under the steering wheel. Where you put your key in the ignition to the left hand side of that there is a ignition box. Wiggle that as your turning the key if it starts then that will need renewing.

19 people found this helpful.
300

i have a problem with my 1997 ford ranger it wouldn't crank over i changed my ignition switch and it cranks over now but it wont start WHAT DO I DO?

30 people found this helpful.
1,220

Check and make sure the wire that goes to the coil pack is giving it power.

5 people found this helpful.
40

ajust don't know if I will purchase another one,and I am left with a question , and I am asking my self, is why my neighbor 73 Toyota never had a problem,and his auto is not so fancy,i see him go every morning,and it does not make any sound when starting it. and he has a carburetor on it and no filter on the carburetor,and it look nasty undrter the hood,and he tells me that most of the time he does not use the starter just cant understand it why our cars are not so dependable,yet we spend thousands on them my brother has alittle 69 vw bug it is very dependable, his only problem is that he has to check the battery under the back seat

4 people found this helpful.
230

Have a 2002 Ranger that the ignition tumbler broke,,replaced tumbler now when switched on all gauges come on,lights but when switched on to start position just getting clicking sound at relay,,jumping starter from underneath starter will ingage,,just clicking at module when turning with key

23 people found this helpful.
150

i had the same issue ... I straightened my wheels and it started right up .. that is just crazy.

15 people found this helpful.
210

My son has a 91 ford ranger he was driving it and it made a sound he pulled over turned it off and it hasn't cranked since we checked the battery and starter and they are good what could it be all the truck does it click

21 people found this helpful.
140

Is the cylanoid mounted to the starter or mounted on the pass side fender. It has a red wire from the pos Side of the. Battery

14 people found this helpful.
160

If you have a automatic 4x4 Ford ranger n you went thru all your electrical checks n still won't start than check your anti theft micro chip under the key cylinder switch make sure it is tight or tap it couple times. Pull out the key cylinder. Buy a repair Manuel for that Truck Clinton Manuel got a lot of picture. Fallow the repair manuel. The anti theft micro chip wiring connected to the starter incepter relay fallow the wire under the dash. The problem is moisture built up. If you can park your truck or car under cover will help alot!!

16 people found this helpful.
60

On my 01 Ranger the no crank problem was due to a rough mountain road and was fixed by reattachimg the clutch position sensor on the piston of the clutch pedal.

6 people found this helpful.
820

1997 Ranger 2.3 manual. New starter, starter solenoid, battery, positive and ground cables, grounds clean, wires tight, newer alternator. Get very intermittent starts. Will start for a week straight several times a day no issues. Then all of sudden nothing. Straighten the wheels don’t help. Have 12.5 volts at battery and bottom post of solenoid. I get one single click sounds like from solenoid on fender. Accessories work. Lights bright. Blower works. Radio works. Sick of throwing parts at it. Don’t know what I’m missing.

82 people found this helpful.
170

I have a 2017 Ranger. I had left it undriven for 6 months and upon my return the battery was dead. Stared up with a jumper cable start. Used it fine for 3 days. Left it undriven for 4 days and it wont start it turns over the engine 1/2 turn then Stops. Using Jumper cables still does not help. Everyone says Battry is damaged. So I replace the battery with new one. Same issue. It "feels" as though as soon as the engine develops compression and cant turn over due ro high ccompression. nut that is just a guess.

17 people found this helpful.
90

07 ranger. Checked fuses. Checked solenoid. Jump starter with screwdriver. Ignition not firing. Any suggestions??

9 people found this helpful.
80

Check to see if you hear the fuel pump engage when you turn the car to ON. If not, then go purchase a new fuel pump relay (really cheap), look in your manual and find the fuel pump relay, which in a '95 Ranger 2.3 is in the under-the-hood fuse box. Another test is if the engine is turning over, spray some carburetor cleaner in the mass air tube... where the air filter is... and see if the truck starts. It is better to replace a 20$ fuel pump relay first, then see if you actually NEED to replace the fuel pump. (this solved my problem).

7 people found this helpful.
40

I had same problem...checked and checked..turned out it was the gear selector, wiggled it around and made sure it was seated completely in Park... then it fired right up

4 people found this helpful.
20

I had this exact issue (97 manual), but the engine eventually just started again out of nowhere . I though it was a wiring issue, but mechanic predicted a fuel filter issue. Just after enough fuel burned through it, fixed itself.

2 people found this helpful.
20

My Mazda BT 50 starts well in the morning and when l drive and the engine is warm and switch off and when l want to start again the starter turns and the car wont start. If l push start it the car will start. Any help guys. Thank you

2 people found this helpful.

1997 Ford Ranger. Occasionally click click nothing. The click click was from the starter solenoid on the driver's side fender. Replaced starter solenoid which was the click click. Had battery tested. Good. Starter was replaced in February. Turned out the small wire to starter had gotten enough corrosion and dirt to stop the power from getting to starter. Figured it out after jiggling things around and it started right up. Going to put some dielectric grease on it.

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