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I have started to resurrect my grandad's 1988 Ford Ranger XLT 4x2. It's been sitting out in the barn since 2008. As he started storing feed in it at the end, it was a haven for critters. So once I vacuum all that stuff out I'm getting to work on the electrical. Remarkably, there are only about 7 wires that were chewed through in the engine bay, 3 of which are for the MAP sensor. One that is however is one of the fusible links on the relay so there is no power at all. My relay has 2 fusible links, one yellow and one green, which is the cut one. I'm pretty sure this link connects to a couple of wires that are coming from the front harness that connects to the headlights and I think then goes over to the alternator.
Does anyone have any pictures they can share that have a similar setup? I have an EVTM coming but not until next week and none of the wiring diagrams I can find online have this color combination of links. I didn't get a picture of the other wires, but both are black; one is pretty thin and the other is probably a 10-12 gauge I think. I'm assuming the green fusible link is 14 gauge, but not 100% on that. I've attached my pic of the relay. My other question would be where the vacuum port from the MAP connects, as it's not hooked up either.
When I get back down there, the plan is to clean up the engine bay and address the wiring, pull the bed and check out/replace the fuel pumps, replace the fuel filter, etc. The oil looked fine, and I'll top off the coolant, put some oil in the spark plug holes and crank with no spark to get things lubed back up. It was running when parked, but had what my nephew thinks was a fueling issue..
Yes, ALL 12volts for the whole vehicle is on that one post on the starter relay
Battery positive cable
Alternator B+ cable(fusible link)
Ignition switch wire(fusible link), a few
Cab fuse box wire(fusible link)
Engine fuse box, if it has one
Thanks. I think I've seen those, and all the extra links with no yellow is what I'm confused about. I get that 2 of them I don't have though - door locks and electronic shift.
There is a picture of my exact setup on another Ranger forum:
If its still factory wiring then go to the alternator and follow its Black/orange wire to the other end of the green fusible link, along the way you should find 2 other fusible links, and the alternators yellow/white wire spliced in, this splice should be very close to the starter relay
And just FYI, factory wiring in 1988(any year for any car maker, lol) may or may not be "as shown", the "idea" of 12v distribution is still followed, just not in the same way as published
Wiring diagrams are used to give technicians the "idea" of what needs to be connected and protected
Also do you have a Volt gauge on the dash or an AMP gauge?
If its still factory wiring then go to the alternator and follow its Black/orange wire to the other end of the green fusible link, along the way you should find 2 other fusible links, and the alternators yellow/white wire spliced in, this splice should be very close to the starter relay
And just FYI, factory wiring in 1988(any year for any car maker, lol) may or may not be "as shown", the "idea" of 12v distribution is still followed, just not in the same way as published
Wiring diagrams are used to give technicians the "idea" of what needs to be connected and protected
Also do you have a Volt gauge on the dash or an AMP gauge?
Not sure Ron. I'll be back home on Thursday and I'll check then.
12-01-2023
