So I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with this ranger. The owner installed a battery backwards and no there is a no start/no crank condition.

there is a signal going from ignition to starter relay. But there is no ground present at the relay.

i jumped the ground and it turns over but won’t start not sure if it’s spark or fuel related. There is fuel pressure at the rail.

has anyone had a similar issue?

ground going to starter relay looks to be controlled by PCM

is the PCM fried?

any help would be great

 

Welcome to the forum

What engine in this 2002?

2002 Ranger will have PATS(passive anti-theft system)
This disables cranking(no ground to starter relay if activated, as you describe)
It also disable fuel pump and Fuel Injectors so no start even if you get it to crank

PATS has a red THEFT light located close to top of the dash, THEFT light should come on and then go OFF after you turn on the key
If this light flashes after key on it means starting is disabled

If you don't see this Red light, it also flashes every 2 - 5seconds with key off to scare away thieves, then bulb may be burned out

PATS uses "transponder keys" each PATS key has an RFID tag in its handle(no batteries needed) each tag has a unique 40-80bit number
There is a powered antenna ring around the ignition key slot, called a transceiver
In 2002 PATS module is inside the PCM
At the factory 3 or 4 keys were programmed in to the PATS memory

When key is turned on PATS uses the antenna to read the keys tag number, it then compares it to the 3 or 4 numbers in memory and if a match is found engine can crank and start(THEFT light off)
If no match or no number is read, then No Crank/No Start(THEFT light flashes)

If THEFT light flashes, leave key on for 45-60 seconds and you should see THEFT light flash a 2 digit code number, a 1 followed by 1 to 6 flashes and then it repeats
So error codes 11 to 16 this can tell you why PATS was activated


Your issue reads like a PATS issue
A mobile Locksmith can make(cut) and reprogram new keys to PATS system, or you can have it towed to locksmith or Ford Dealer to get it reprogrammed


Does the CEL(check engine light) come on with key on?
It should if PCM is booting up
IF there is no CEL then PCM is not powering up so No crank/No start because of that

It possible reversing battery terminals could burn out some electrical parts just not that likely, but certainly possible

 

It’s 3.0L

so I can hear the fuel pump kick on when u cycle the key. And I had 60psi at the fuel rail

so does that mean it couldn’t be the pats?

thanks

 

Yes, if fuel pump is working and NO Flashing THEFT light then not a PATS issue and PCM is booting up to ground fuel pump relay

Spray fuel into the engine, 50/50 test
If it starts and dies, spark is working but not fuel injectors
If it doesn't start then no spark, so Crank sensor or PCM issue

But neither would explain the no ground at starter relay which is a PATS only issue, unless there is an added 3rd party Alarm system

 

Where is the theft light. I don’t see it anywhere?

 

 

Ok so I have spark.
i can hear the fuel pump when I cycle the key and grave fuel pressure at the rail.

so I don’t have a ground at starter relay and I’m assuming I don’t have i injectors firing

 

Ok so I threw a pcm from the wrecker in and now my theft light is working and I still have no start.

i belove the code I’m getting is 1-5. Now what does that mean and how do I fix it?

thanks

 

PATS error codes
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

You can't just swap PCMs because the Key numbers are IN the PCM, was there a key in the vehicle the PCM came from?
It reads like PCM may have been the issue but now you have a PATS issue and need to add YOUR keys to the new PCM, so mobile locksmith

Or look at Forscan, its a software you can use to add Keys to Ford PATS systems
There is a Forscan forum that details how to add keys
You do need a cable to hook up laptop to OBD2 connector
You can use the software for free trial

 

Should there be any dtc codes ? As I hooked up my scanner and got nothing

 

They would be B codes not P codes so you have to have scanner check for B codes, so look at the manual or online for how to get it to do that

Should be this code: B1601 PATS Received Incorrect Key-Code From Ignition Key Transponder

If code 15 was valid
And what you would expect if you swapped PCMs and used original PCM's keys, as the new PCM used different key numbers so no match found