My 1987 ranger with 2.3 5spd does nothing when turning the key. I have replaced solenoid switch, battery is good and clean connection, replaced ignition switch and ignition tumbler and replaced ecu and still nothing happens when turning the key. Does anyone know what my problem might be? Engine does turn over when crossing posts on solenoid.

 

Welcome to the forum

ECU(PCM) is not involved with starter motor, just FYI

There is a Safety switch on the clutch pedal push rod to prevent starting "In Gear", seen here: https://www.justanswer.com/uploads/t...tch_switch.gif

Clutch pedal must be down all the way to close this switch

Power path for starter relay(solenoid) activation

Battery-----(yellow)-----ignition switch-------(red/lt blue)--------clutch switch-----(white/pink)-------/--------(red/lt blue)---------starter relay

At the starter relay there should be a red/light blue stripe wire plugged into the "S" terminal of the relay, when that wire has 12volts starter relay will activate and starter motor should start up

That wire comes from the clutch switch
On the clutch switch there may or may not be a white/pink stripe wire, it can be red/light blue

 

I looked and there are only two wires, both pink with a grey stripe. No acceries work at all.

 

Where are those wires?????

I can't find any Pink/grey wires any where on my 1987 digrams

 

There going to a plug that's white plastic, mounted on the bracket at the end of the shaft that moves when engaging the clutch. There was also a small black box with two black wires coming from it mounted above. I have seen diagrams and pics of what you're talking about but didn't see anything remotely close to that.

 

OK, lets go backwards

The ignition switch is UNDER the steering column, its not the key cylinder, that's just a lock, no electrics

And you replaced the ignition switch?

Did you test if the 2 Yellow wires on the ignition switch had 12volts?
They should if battery is hooked up

Thats the "key on" power for the whole vehicle, including "start" power

 

Is this the type of starter relay you have?

What color wire is going to the "S" terminal ?
and what color wire going to the "I" terminal ?

 

Yes, it is. Red wire to the s terminal. No wire on the I terminal. Should there be a wire there? If so, where would the wire that goes there come from so that I can look for it. It was running and driving until I turned it off one day and then haven't been able to start since.

 

No, there should be no wire on "I" post

Red/light blue stripe should be on "S" post, not plain Red wire

One larger post on starter relay should have battery positive cable and several other wires with it, that is the Power Distribution point for the whole vehicle

The other larger post should have just ONE cable, goes to starter motor, just ONE cable, no more

 

Thanks, that was the problem! I had three wires on the starter post and not on the battery post of the solenoid.

 

Good work

Thanks for the update