Will a battery with CCA of 500 work in a 2002 Ford ranger 3.0L 2WD 183 CID V6 flex fuel?

 

Group size for a ranger is a 58 or 59. Either will work. Group 65 can fit too with a little trimming of the battery tray.

 

So I have a 58 in it and the battery light is still on. It also will not start. I have little to no experience with rangers let alone vehicles so I’m not sure how to proceed.

 

Does it turn over with the ignition? Does it make a click noise when you try?
put a multimeter on the battery posts before and during a crank attempt

 

Got the right battery, a 59. Still won’t crank. Checked battery power from the battery to the starter relay and from the CJB to the starter with the key in start and both have continuity. Tried starting it with the starter relay jumpered out at the fuse box and still nothing. Maybe the PCM is bad? Not sure.

 

Update: applied voltage to the pcm, starter and blower relays and they all make the clicking sound. Jumpered the starter relay wrong the first time but did it the right way the second time and it cranked. Checked the Schroeder valve and there is fuel in the lines. I don’t understand how it cranks with the relay jumpered out but won’t crank with it installed even though it is working properly. Also the battery light is still on even though it is the right battery and it is new. Put a fluke to it and it reads 12.31 VDC

 

Battery light should be on with key on, then stay on, it should go off only AFTER engine starts

There will be a THEFT light on the dash, this should also come on with key on, and then GO OFF within a few seconds, that means key in the ignition passed the PATS(passive anti-theft system) test
If Theft light is not coming on or is Flashing then you should not be able to crank engine, PATS is preventing it

In 2002 PATS is inside the PCM(computer)
If you try to by-pass or repeatedly try to start engine PATS will go into "lock down" and no start would be possible for 90min or so, unhooking battery doesn't matter


Most common reason for a no crank, assuming battery voltage is OK, is a bad connection in the Neutral circuit
Manual transmission has a Clutch neutral switch on clutch pedal
Automatic has a Park/Neutral switch on driver side of transmission<<<<this one is a common issue if shifter on steering column feels loose

The column shifter in Ford trucks can get loose, so when you shift into Park the switch on transmission does quite connect so no crank on restart
Try shifting in to Neutral and then try to crank engine

 

Just because a relay clicks, doesn't mean it works.

 

Theft light stays flashing with key in ignition when I take it to start. Confident the problem is with PATS since it won’t let it start if it’s activated. Not sure how to go about possibly resetting it or maybe ordering a new transceiver.

 

Turn key on
Wait 45-60 seconds and the THEFT light will start to Flash a TWO Digit Code, 11 to 16
So 1 flash then a pause then 1 to 6 more flashes, then longer pause, then it will repeat a few times

11 Transceiver [transponder coil] not connected, or there is no power to it.
12 Transceiver internal fault.
13 No Key/no PATS key has been used to turn the ignition switch.
14 Incomplete key code received.
15 Invalid key code received.
16 CAN communications error.

 

I am getting code 11. So I should take the plastic cover off of the bottom of the steering column and check the transceiver chip and the wiring connections to it?

 

Yes, you should do that

2003 wiring diagram here, 2002 is the same, no PATS module, PATS is IN the engine computer(PCM)
Test for 12v and a ground

 

Okay so I have a good ground and 11.64VDC which I assume is an acceptable voltage. I then went into the engine bay and took the pcm out of its housing and cleaned the pin connections. I put it back in and was still getting code 11. I think at this point it’s probably a bad pcm or transceiver chip but how do I know which is the case? Any help would much much appreciated.

 

Vehicle battery's are
12.8volts NEW
12.5volts after 3 years
12.3volts after 5/6 years and time to look for battery sales

12.2volts or less is a done battery

Check your volt meter on another car battery or just on a 9volt battery, just to see if its reading OK


Battery volts should be tested after vehicle has been sitting a few hours, overnight is best
They will show a FALSE higher voltage after charging by alternator or battery charger