1996 Ford Ranger Starting Problem - one click, then nothing

Рет қаралды 196,606

11 жыл бұрын

Before you read the comments and watch the video, here is the answer: Replace the positive battery cable and terminal.
As explained to me by someone who seems to know: The battery cables are a bunch of thin copper wire all twisted together. Over time, the surface of each individual wire gets oxidized with a layer of green copper oxide. The current passing through the cable travels on the surface of these wires, not so much inside the wires. This coating on the wires prevents the current from travelling. When I grab the cable and move it around, I disturb this coating and allow some current to flow. Until it oxidizes again. It gets worse over time because the electricity flows over the un-oxidized parts, and oxidizes it again. This also explains why it happens on the positive and not the negative battery cable.
Original post:
This is a video of a problem I have been having with my 1996 Ford Ranger, 2WD, 4Cyl. For over a year, disconnecting and reconnecting the battery has fixed it. As the problem got worse and I started replacing parts,each time the problem would go away for a few days or a week, then it would come back. Now it finally will not start at all. Replacing battery cables is the next on the list, but I'm going insane with the way replacing a part will 'fix' it, but only temporarily.

Пікірлер: 92

@paulwithheld6697 4 ай бұрын

IDENTICAL PROBLEM - '98 Ford Ranger, owned for 26 yrs. Checked everything. Stonkered&Spooked. Son in law rattled and squeezed the positive lead from battery. Claimed he had same problem with a dump truck .... It was the cables LEADING to the battery terminal clamps. Connection was BADLY CORRODED. Wire brushed the multistrand coper wires, bought a new terminal clamp for $6. Zippity Doo Dah, back in business.

@darrylgoodman7295 2 ай бұрын

YAY !! my truck is fixed....thank you ! battery cable issue

@_MichaeI_ 2 жыл бұрын

Finally! Not just Edward, but a whole slew of people who know exactly what I'm going through.

@garyday6681 10 ай бұрын

After replacing the neutral safety switch on the clutch, the starter, the Ignition, it ended up being a starter cellinoid switch part number motorcraft F5-TU-11450. Cost was $24 at Advanced Auto Parts. 9/17/23. Replacement took 5 mins. Skill level is you can do with your eyes closed. Need a 14 mm wrench and 8mm socket. My wife helped turn the key with the clicking noise comming from the drive side fender area. I located the part bolted to the inside of the fender. Everyone needs the wifediagnostic expert, she really saved the day!

@Dirtbagkris 10 ай бұрын

Same problem - turning the key it would do a single click, dash lights would come on, and then nothing. Taking key out and turning second and third times resulted in no click and no lights / no signs of Thanks for the video - cleaned the clamp on our positive terminal and bam started up with no issues!

@coloradocustomgamecalls 3 жыл бұрын

My 1996 did this exact same thing! Did this thanks to this video and it worked started right up! Do this before you buy anything

@bushidoboi 7 жыл бұрын

Holy shit. this worked. I just replaced the solenoid and the starter in the past week - the truck runs for a few days, then stops. thank you so much for this.

@tommywright686 5 жыл бұрын

I want to thank you for this video. I had this problem, was totally baffled, and I changed the positive battery cable and terminal per your advice, and it worked.

@jabrwoky1 5 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped! I was kinda surprised at the solution and how many people were having the same problem!

@mikearnold8382 9 жыл бұрын

I had the same problem with my 97 F250 cleaned the cable ends and clamped them back on and worked perfectly. Thanks for posting this it helped me out.

@willieray7331 4 жыл бұрын

#1 - Replace those battery cables and screw on clamps with original one-piece cables. Check all battery grounds, and also make sure your battery tray is properly secured to sidewall of engine compartment, and battery is properly secured to tray! Good luck.

@johngirrbach 8 жыл бұрын

I had the same problem with a Ford Explororer. Unscrewed the knob of the battery disconnect. It looked like it had corroded and was arcing. Cleaned up the screw head and seat with sandpaper. Then put some electrical anti-oxidation gel on the screw head and seat. No problems for a few weeks now.

@jabrwoky1 10 жыл бұрын

Sorry it took a while to get back. Everyone who gave me a dope slap and told me it was the cable or connector gets a prize. It was the positive battery terminal. At least that was the last thing I had to change.I had put the quick disconnect on after I had the problem for over a year. This let me disconnect the batter easily because it was draining randomly. That worked for many months, but gradually got worse and every single time I did anything, replace fuses, relays, start solenoid, anything, it would fix it for weeks or months. I'll fix anything, but I hate NOTHING more than electrical or plumbing problems!! Thanks for your help !

@RemovableAphid 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, and even more for the update. My '95 had the same problem and nearly the same solution.

@jasonmayer8289 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, quick question - did replacing the cable also correct the random draining issue? My truck has been doing that but I've been disconnecting the cable to avoid drainage, and recently started having the one click issue as well. I'll be replacing the cable but will I need to disconnect because the drainage has a separate cause?

@Dassick89 7 жыл бұрын

I have had this problem in my car since I replaced my terminal connectors, they are the quick connect cause I used to do a lot of audio and repairs and it was easy. The problem is it never could get tight enough and this would happen quite often, wish I saw this video when you posted cause I coulda told you haha.

@professionaltirearsonist2283 4 жыл бұрын

flip the plate over for the connectors

@Michael322111 7 жыл бұрын

Hard goggling the answer to such a problem but your video seems to be exactly what my 95 2.3 is doing, all the way down to sharing the terminal battery wires... I sure hope its the battery cables. Replaced the starter 3 months ago. when starting the truck, its one of the two. Starts up real good with power, and the other is one click and no power what so ever, even the light under the hood is dead...shake the wire and most of the time...boom hood light on and crank on time- pop or click.

@god4life13 5 жыл бұрын

This is exactly what my 97 Ford ranger is doing a v6. Did you ever get it fix? if so, what did you do?

@SHAUNMAN79 8 жыл бұрын

My 92 bronco is starting to do this I'll check it out thanks for posting!

@Christopher-bm5sy 8 жыл бұрын

How did u fix uyour bronco mine is doing the same thing turn key 1 click and nothing no crank nothing if i hot wire of the solenoid truck fires right up

@694racing4 4 жыл бұрын

Christopher any luck ?

@flooxfroon2117 5 жыл бұрын

I reacently fixed my Ford Ranger XLT 1997, the starter made just ONE click when turning the key. I bought the car for 500 dollars, but the Owner said the starter needed to be replaced. I digged deeper into this fix, i thought it was wierd With One click. so i looked under the Hood and just wiggled at the starter cables Down onto the starter! And i just jumped into the car and turned the Key and it started right up! Try this before you buy a New starter or any other parts!

@raymoore6547 2 жыл бұрын

Same,literally car,problem, and price 😆 🤣

@newinans 6 жыл бұрын

If you go to the videos showing them replacing the relays, you'll find that they have a bad ground which will cause this problem. Some will turn over but not start and others will just give the loud click. Try jumping the ground on the relay and it may solve your problem.

@terriewiese6524 9 жыл бұрын

My ranger 5 on the floor is doing the same thing. If I get a shove and pop the clutch it starts. I'll check out the solenoid. Oh get a trip pod or a hanger for the camera. Only saw the 2. Only once. Thanks for the tip.

@russellkemple8799 10 жыл бұрын

Did you figure it out? Im having the sane prob with my 94 Ranger

@ScoundrullonYouTube 3 жыл бұрын

I'm having a problem with the coils, the coil for this to the back with the four plugs works great but the first coil does not work even though the plug that plugs into it is showing power, I've already replaced that coil and there's still no power going to it, do these engines turn this coil on at a certain RPM or should these always be firing?

@angelc7140 10 жыл бұрын

i got the same problem with my truck. after u open the switch it seems like everything is perfect but once u try to crank it to start the motor BOOM! everything dies so i open the hood and i left the key on with the switch open and once i start wiggling the power cables the goes to the start the power came back so i follow those wires and i found out the signal wire connnected to the starter the connection it was all burn out like it was doing some kinda short. im about to cut the terminal and add a new one to see if that solves the problem if not ill replace the starter

@ringozombie 8 жыл бұрын

I see it's been a while since anyone commented on this, but I think it worth mentioning that your video and info solved the problem I was having with my 96 Ranger as well. Much appreciated.

@BB420INC 10 жыл бұрын

Have you checked the ground on the ecm it is grounds inside the little holes where the screw mount it to the intake mine was doing same thing it only had to screws holding it on the metal back isn't a ground its a heat shield look in the mounting holes u will c the brass sleeve in them they all need a good ground

@hardtailjefe 8 ай бұрын

Good video thanks!

@craigdemarest980 6 жыл бұрын

question my 2002 ford ranger lost all power i changed the alternator charged battery batterybis goodbhad it check truck started drove for 3 miles turned it off n wouldnt stsrt same thing nothing but sll lights worked almost like the starter was frozr i took the starter off and can not turn the crankshaft do i hooked up a chain and towed it tried to pop it in 3rd gear it would pop i tried 2nd gear and my tires just locked up like the motor was seized but the tires didnt lock up in 3rd gear snd i csnt believe the motor would seize up it didnt stall i shut it off

@willowverbiski3592 7 жыл бұрын

We replaced battery , selinoid, starter, but after truck runs a bit ,it seems the engine and battery get hot . After cooled all we get is a click when starting. It seems we go thru this issue every 2 years,any helpful tips?

@davidavila5085 5 жыл бұрын

I have 1994 ford ranger and have same problem the truck doesn’t turn on it’s makes a click noise and then it will not turn on. I don’t know what it is

@kennethklein3168 3 жыл бұрын

I have the exact same problem with my 95 ranger now. Ive ordered a new cable. Did that fix the problem?

@robertguetschow7759 10 жыл бұрын

I'm seeing this a year after it was made, but here is my experience. Had this same problem with my Mercury Grand Marquis(5.0/302ci V8) from 85-86. I had 4 of those cars over a period of time and I think at least 2 of the 4 did it. The positive battery cable would corrode on the terminal end. Cut the end off until you see clean copper all the way through, and replace with an after market end, or just replace the entire cable if you choose. I could usually get a start by wiggling it around, but it would eventually be too corroded to work.

@willmounce5512 2 ай бұрын

Thank you sir

@pasolesoup7430 8 жыл бұрын

This fixed my issue on my 97 ranger, today it won't start and had the same start issues -.-

@jeepwranglermaniac 10 жыл бұрын

same thing happened to my 98 v6 mustang, i ended up having to replace my starter

@captainmanic1959 5 жыл бұрын

You can hear the starter drive engage, but it has to be the starter motor itself. I don't like that voltage, I would like to see 12.6 to 13.0 or so.

@TheTrainman122 11 жыл бұрын

Did you check the fuses

@acroncars4081 3 жыл бұрын

It’s the battery cable from your stater just replace the neg and pos that run from the battery to the starter

@Bdizzle1123 11 жыл бұрын

im having the same issue...find a solution yet?

@lakings505 3 жыл бұрын

@7:45 "The X Files" theme song starts playing in the background

@bradscreativeimagesphotogr6539 5 жыл бұрын

Another successful positive bat cable terminal here.

@martinhernandez-mg2fc 7 жыл бұрын

did you ever got the problem

@bwhitt66 10 жыл бұрын

Having the same problem, already had a new end, did you replace both cables?

@jabrwoky1 10 жыл бұрын

No, I just cut off about an inch of the existing cable and installed a new clamp.I could see once I did that that the ends of the copper wires had started to corrode and had that blue-green coating on them. I did not reuse the old clamp. I wish now I had taken other people's advice and just gone ahead and replaced both cables. At least if the problem comes back I know where to start looking.

@100whiteboy3 7 жыл бұрын

where does your negative battery cable goto? mine goes to the upper intake manifold but i feel thats wrong?

@jabrwoky1 7 жыл бұрын

The negative cable always goes to the frame, the place it's attached can be different, but it's grounded someplace. Not sure about the intake manifold, that does sound odd, but if that's the way it came, I guess it's ok.

@TheRandomMechanic 4 жыл бұрын

Neighbor is having the same issue with his 96 , its driving us nuts , i can see by the comments that a solution hasnt been found in 7 years , Figures , new battery ,terminals , starter and alternator , clicks then all lights go out

@lakings505 3 жыл бұрын

What was the problem ?

@TheRandomMechanic 3 жыл бұрын

@@lakings505 never found the issue

@TheRandomMechanic 3 жыл бұрын

Got rid of the truck

@lakings505 3 жыл бұрын

@@TheRandomMechanic that truck belongs in the bottom of the Bermuda triangle "The X Files" theme song playing in the background lol

@TheRandomMechanic 3 жыл бұрын

@@lakings505 LOL thats a good one , i totally agree

@rbhb2 10 жыл бұрын

Did you every figure out what was causing the problem? What was it? This seems to be a common problem

@johntruckee1110 7 жыл бұрын

my 1997 ford ranger 4 cyl. makes a grinding sound, I replaced the starter and the flywheel and still doing the same ... im not sure what it could be ... any ideas?

@jimmykeith7542 6 жыл бұрын

John Truckee same problem in trying to figure out. But my starter and or flywheel keep breaking. Smh

@insanekiller18 11 жыл бұрын

Hi I had the same problem as you with my 1996 ford ranger 2.3 I replace the starter solenoid, starter, and the battery didn't do anything. I would disconnect the battery and it would still work but would get worse. Then I replaced the Battery Terminals neg and positive. then It starts every time now never had a problem.

@WrecksXV 8 жыл бұрын

im having the same problem with my 95 ranger car doesmt crank i had to install a wire from starter and to turn on the car i switch it on put on neutral n connect the wire thats in the starter to the positive on the battery anyone know to fix this problem im tired of jumpstarting my own car

@phaque179 3 жыл бұрын

Check the Fuses #19 for Ignition Coil and #24 Starter Relay. Check the 50 or 60 Amp fuse (#1) in the Power Distribution box. Test the Ignition Control Module (on the Drivers front behind the radiator on select models). Check the starter solenoid as in the video. Check the Ignition Switch on the steering column (white block) under the steering column. Check the wire harness on the top of the steering column for continuity. Check the Crash Inertia Switch on the passenger side under the dash. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ps14ia2j08mxc2Q.html Check the ground cable form the battery to the block. If a manual, check the clutch Pedal position switch. In an automatic if the shift lever is sloppy, try and start it in neutral and adjust/replace shift linkage. There is also a fusible link that goes from the solenoid to the fender to the alternator (if vehicle is not charging). Fusible link corrosion is a possibility as well (lower thin wire off of the starter solenoid), To keep corrosion off the terminals you can buy battery terminal grease or use Vaseline to put an air tight coating to keep it from corroding again, Coke is a good cleaner of the corrosion as well.

@grabba73 10 жыл бұрын

get a duralast or diehard. Interstate are crapiest batterys. But get rid of the laptop, tighten all cables. then charge for a hour on 2 amp, then fixed.

@joeabrams344 10 жыл бұрын

My 92 f150 5.8L is doing it too, I hope its the battery cable cause I just put n a starter, battery, and solenoid

@alexcalder6916 9 жыл бұрын

Same here with my 86 f150

@greatbay1961 7 жыл бұрын

my 1994 f150 doing same thing, its the last thing left to replace so I guess my starter system should last a long time

@greatbay1961 7 жыл бұрын

Just found out what mine was, the starter ground was being shared by a mounting bracket, took the mounting bracket off and just put the ground back, tightened down and she turned over, now to get anew ignition module which was problem to start and ill be back on the road.

@juice9721 5 жыл бұрын

I’ve just replaces my starter, and my positive battery terminal, it ran fine no problems all week I jump in and have this same exact problem any advice on how to fix it?

@jabrwoky1 5 жыл бұрын

Then replace the whole cable. That's all I can think of at this point. Do the negative one while you're at it.

@phaque179 3 жыл бұрын

Check the Fuses #19 for Ignition Coil and #24 Starter Relay. Check the 50 or 60 Amp fuse (#1) in the Power Distribution box. Ignition Control Module (on the Drivers front behind the radiator on select models. Check the Ignition Switch on the steering column (white block) under the steering column. Check the wire harness on the top of the steering column for continuity. Check the Crash Inertia Switch on the passenger side under the dash. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ps14ia2j08mxc2Q.html Check the ground cable form the battery to the block. If a manual, check the clutch Pedal position switch. In an automatic if the shift lever is sloppy, try and start it in neutral and adjust/replace shift linkage. There is also a fusible link that goes from the solenoid to the fender to the alternator (if vehicle is not charging). Fusible link corrosion is a possibility as well (lower thin wire off of the starter solenoid), To keep corrosion off the terminals you can buy battery terminal grease or use Vaseline to put an air tight coating to keep it from corroding again, Coke is a good cleaner of the corrosion as well.

@bambolamar2797 3 жыл бұрын

Similar issue here. 96 ranger xlt 2.3L 5 speed manual.. I've done full tune up, and cylinder #4 was still dead, just replaced exhaust gasket, and intake manifold gaskets while I was in there... (EFF FORD ENGINERRING BTW) anyway, hours later I got it back together. Now, key ignition is broke. However, if u put it In gear cuz it kinda works without a key. Lol. U can cross the relays on starter solenoid n it would start.. (Client said this was solution) fine by me right? Lol So I go to crank it, n it was slow n didn't turn over. Figured I didn't hook a ground in right spot. Then hooked up battery charger n kept trying. At some point it just won't do it anymore. Just crank 1x then nothing. But the lights don't fade... gonna check all the wiring after reading all of this. I did accidently ground when I was trying repeatedly.... fml.. but all in all I'm hoping for replacing wires. I'll let you guys know If that works. These ford's suck.

@jamesmoore716 Жыл бұрын

Hello, over 1 year later, I just did my first head gasket by myself, finally got everything back together (94 2.3 5 speed) and I'm just getting a click, I can hear the pump run and interior works. Did you ever fix it?

@bambolamar2797 Жыл бұрын

@@jamesmoore716 make sure the batteries charged.. if good. Try again. If not, wack the starter a good time while trying to start it. Might need a helper.

@jamesmoore716 Жыл бұрын

@@bambolamar2797 ok thanks, the Battery charged over night and its about in the middle on the battery gauge between 8-18, I'll try hitting the starter more.

@bep85 11 жыл бұрын

I am having the same issue with my Bronco II. Has anyone found a solution to this mystery?

@phaque179 3 жыл бұрын

@viperplatinum3034 4 жыл бұрын

Help me out, I left my 2004 ford ranger window open by accident while it rained, next time I tried to start it it won’t do nothing, only the anti theft light is flashing

@chitolopez3585 3 жыл бұрын

Did you figure it out