I have a 99 ranger 3.0 4wd manual.

After chasing electrical gremlins this past week for starting issues, I have replaced the battery, starter, and battery cable ends. An impulsive mistake made me order a new starter relay (not solenoid, relay). The starting system is fine now but this relay is gonna arrive in a week and I figure I might as well install it since it's new and paid for. Where might i find the starter relay? and please dont confuse this with solenoid, the starter solenoid is attached to the starter housing under the truck. The relay is a four post switch that the battery cables attach to, but I cannot seem to locate it....

Thanks.

 

Glad some understand the difference between a solenoid(creates movement) and a Relay(passes power)
Starter solenoid moves the starter motor's gear into and away from the flywheel, movement.
Starter relay passes battery power to starter motor.

'99 doesn't have the kind of starter relay you are referring to, Ford combined the starter relay to be part of the starter solenoid in the early 1990's.

Usually the battery positive cable will run directly to starter motor, and a slightly smaller cable from battery to the Fuse box.

On some models they did have a Power distribution block on the fender that looked similar to a starter relay, but it was just an attachment point until older wiring harness's were remade for different power distribution.

You may have a starter relay in the fuse box if you have PATS(passive anti-theft system), it is just a regular automotive relay that must be closed to pass power to activate starter motor, but don't think that was added until 2001.

Older starter motors just had the one larger cable hooked up, the starter relay on the fender was hooked to that one cable and the starter relay was also hooked to battery positive.
There was a smaller wire hooked to starter relay as well, this wire came from ignition switch, when key was turn all the way to START that wire would have 12volts, this closed the starter relay and battery power was sent to starter motor.
This is called the "S" wire and the smaller post on starter relay is labelled "S"

The battery "post" on this starter relay was also the power distribution post, alternator and fuse box were hooked up here.

On newer starter motors you will see the larger wire and the smaller "S" wire hooked up, starter relay is there now.
Depending on the year there may be a power distribution block so the alternator and other systems can be hooked up using older wiring harness's, and the starter motors larger cable will also be hooked up here, but it is a straight pass thru connection not a relay.

So find the larger wire on the starter motor, follow it back, that will lead you to the power block or directly to the battery.


Starting circuit on manual trans vehicles passes thru the Clutch switch, clutch pedal must be pushed down all the way to close this switch and pass the 12volts to the starter relay/motor.
On PATS they added another switch/relay that also must be closed by the PATS module/computer so that 12volts can get to starter relay/motor's "S" post

 

Thanks. Will have to find some use for this extra high-current relay I have acquired...

 

People use them when adding a second battery, used like an isolator.
When engine is running Relay is closed so alternator can charge both batteries.
When engine is off relay opens so no longer connected to vehicles "starting battery"

Stereo, lights and other "stuff" are hook to this second battery, so party 'til the cows come home and you know "starting battery" will still be good to go in the morning.
Or if running a winch or plow it comes in handy