I have to pop my hood to start my truck...

[Fryskate]

Hey all. I am wondering if you have any suggestions for my problem. A couple of months ago i couldnt start my truck ('95 ranger, 4.0, 5 speed, extended cab, 2wd)with the Ignition. I have to turn it on, pop the hood, and connect the 2 terminals on the starter relay with a screwdriver. I replaced it today but it didn't solve anything. Would you all have any advice? And what part I need to replace so I can start my danged truck without popping the hood?

Thanks in advance!

BTW I'm new here and I freaking love this site!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I'm not the greatest with electrical but....
I'm guessing you crossed the 2 big terminals to start the truck. If so then I would suspect the small terminal wire leading back to the ignition switch. With the key turned to start there should be battery voltage getting to the small terminal. Look at wiring, and ignition switch.

 

[Fryskate]

I'm not the greatest with electrical but....
I'm guessing you crossed the 2 big terminals to start the truck. If so then I would suspect the small terminal wire leading back to the ignition switch. With the key turned to start there should be battery voltage getting to the small terminal. Look at wiring, and ignition switch.

Essentially that's what's going on. I suck at electric anything. I'm going to return the solenoid relay and get an Ignition switch to see if that works. Thanks

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I copied the following from an answer that RonD gave;



The key cylinder uses a gear and pulls and pushes the Actuator rod inside the steering column to slide the ignition switch into its 4 positions, ACC, OFF, RUN, START

Can you test the ignition switch manually?
You could have a problem with Actuator Rod not moving ignition switch all the way to START position

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

...also, replacing your 4.0 with a 2.9 will fix this issue. Probably easier than fixing the 4.0




...I had to.

 

[Fryskate]

Ok guys. Update time. I just replaced the starter switch, the long grey one under the dash, and nothing. I push the slider switch to the start position and all I hear is a relay click coming from the passenger side. Now what?

 

[adsm08]

The clutch switch may have failed. Try jumpering around it.

 

[ericbphoto]

Is your starter relay on the passenger side? Could be the ignition switch is energizing the starter relay but the internal contacts in the relay are bad. In that case, replace the starter relay.

Can you find a helper? If so....

With a volt meter, check to make sure you have battery voltage on one of the big terminals on the starter relay. Then, measure the voltage on the other big terminal. It should be 0. Have your helper turn the key to start. With the key in start, you should hear the relay click and you should measure battery voltage on (both) big terminals if the starter relay. You should also measure battery voltage on the small terminal with the key in the start position. If all that is good, then the problem is probably the starter or wiring connections at the starter. If your starter relay is clicking and getting battery voltage to the small terminal, then your clutch switch is good.

All this depends on a good battery.

 

[4x4junkie]

The clutch switch may have failed. Try jumpering around it.

This here is where I'd be turning my attention toward at this point...

The clutch switch is located on the clutch pedal push rod. It's possible it may have become detached from (or broken off) the clip (button) that holds it in place on the push rod (that is what happened on mine, anyway).

 

[Fryskate]

The clutch switch may have failed. Try jumpering around it.

Jumpering around.... Meaning?

 

[Fryskate]

This here is where I'd be turning my attention toward at this point...

The clutch switch is located on the clutch pedal push rod. It's possible it may have become detached from (or broken off) the clip (button) that holds it in place on the push rod (that is what happened on mine, anyway).

Oooohhhhhh... Never thought of that. I dont how to check, but I'll check

 

[Fryskate]

Is your starter relay on the passenger side? Could be the ignition switch is energizing the starter relay but the internal contacts in the relay are bad. In that case, replace the starter relay.

Can you find a helper? If so....

With a volt meter, check to make sure you have battery voltage on one of the big terminals on the starter relay. Then, measure the voltage on the other big terminal. It should be 0. Have your helper turn the key to start. With the key in start, you should hear the relay click and you should measure battery voltage on (both) big terminals if the starter relay. You should also measure battery voltage on the small terminal with the key in the start position. If all that is good, then the problem is probably the starter or wiring connections at the starter. If your starter relay is clicking and getting battery voltage to the small terminal, then your clutch switch is good.

All this depends on a good battery.

I cant find any relays or electronic shit on the passenger side, but, that's where it sounds like it is coming from. And thank you for for sone electrical advice/wisdom

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Disconnect the wire clip from the sensor. Using a short piece of stiff wire or metal of some sort, connect the two wires in the clip together=jumpering. This bypasses the sensor. Don't leave it like this forever as it is a safety issue, you don't want someone to start the truck while the clutch is engaged and run over you.

 

[Fryskate]

I cant find any relays or electronic shit on the passenger side, but, that's where it sounds like it is coming from. And thank you for for sone electrical advice/wisdom

Btw... What is that tiny wire coming of the relay?

 

[Fryskate]

Id rather just install a bumper switch. Cause i dint what you jjst said lol