2001 ranger edge, 3.0 V6. Battery test good. Was making a clicking sound. Hunted it down. It was a relay. Replaced, now clicking sound is not as loud but still there. Sound stops when I press brake pedal. Tried doing the reset for the anti theft, To no avail. Have disconnected Battery cables and when reconnected I'll get power until I turn the key. Then no power and the clicking sound starts again. I'm pretty well out of ideas.

 

Not quite following the specific problem

Assuming "power" in this case means 12volt power not engine power
Test battery volts, a good battery will be 12.3v to 12.8v, 12.2v or lower is a dead/dying battery, batteries last 5 to 7 years

There is no "reset" for PATS(passive anti-theft system), you just have to wait 90min until is self resets, unhook battery doesn't change that, just extends it until 90min timer is at 0
There are two 12volt cables on the battery
Positive and Negative
There is no positive if there is no negative, electricity needs a "circuit" that means a "circle"
If you unhook the Negative cable from the battery you will have no "power" because Circle is broken, there is no circuit, same as if you unhooked the Positive cable

So no "power" can means no 12v or no 0v(negative)
Clean BOTH battery terminals and cable ends

There is no "relay" that powers the dash lights, there is a fuse for ignition switch in engine fuse box
When you turn the key on the ignition switch sends 12v to dash lights and they should all come on
There is a THEFT light on the dash, if it starts to Flash Rapidly then yes you have a PATS issue

"clicking" relay usually means voltage is too low in your vehicle
What relay did you change?
In engine bay fuse box or under the dash?

You can get your 2001 Owners manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

Its a PDF version so easy to search, fuse box layouts start on page 162

It all starts with battery cables and battery voltage

 

Getting 12.6 on battery. I haven't cleaned the cables. I'll try that next. The relay is in a small black box underneath the right side of the steering wheel. Have yet to find a manual that shows it. It has 3 small relays and 1 larger relay.

 

Called relay box 1 or AUX relay box 1

Most likely you are hearing the Battery Saver relay

Pull fuse 26 in cab fuse box and see if clicking stops

Diagram here of one version of aux relay box: https://ww2-secure.justanswer.com/up...relays_one.gif

Relays in the box are subject to vehicle "options", i.e. 4x4, power windows, power door locks, horn, ect......................

keyless entry needed relays to flash park lights and honk the horn

See if you can ID which relay is which, the larger one will be turn signal flasher, also used for 4-way hazards

The battery saver relay is activated by GEM module, its located just above these relays behind the radio
GEM is the body computer, it operates interior lights, Door Ajar light and wipers, but depends on "options" package
GEM turns on battery saver relay when door opens to activate power to several systems, with key off and doors closed GEM starts a timer that lasts 20-30min and then turns off battery saver relay in case a light was left on, cutting power so "saves the battery" from draining
Pulling fuse 26 cuts power to GEM and battery saver relay both

 

After checking way more than neccessary. Lol. Changed the battery terminals, and the negative cable( even though it showed no signs of being bad). Started right up. And has been running for a couple weeks without issues.