Hard to fit the whole issue in the title, but basically, my clutch safety switch retainer clip broke (the one seen here https://www.2carpros.com/forum/autom...2217_CPP_1.jpg) and I've been unable to start the truck with the key. I've been getting by with jumping the starter solenoid manually. But today I had the opportunity to tie those two pink wires together that's supposed to bypass the safety switch, and now I get a single small click when I turn the key, but it doesn't start.

So I'm not super sure what to do next. Do I just bite the bullet and get a new safety switch with a retainer clip and solder those two wires back together? Or is this indicative of a different issue? With the wires being tied together I thought it wouldn't matter if the safety switch was broken. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

The safety switch in my 2005 was stuck compressed for the first 2 yrs I had the truck. When I replaced the clutch master I ended up removing it and tucking it up under the dash. I personally don't like having to compress the clutch to start the truck. Ive drove manual for many many years and I always do the neutral wiggle before starting the vehicle. You can zip tie the spring down if you get a new one. It won't affect anything being constantly compressed. I should note that I didn't zip tie mine or anything since I knew it was stuck. And once in a blue moon it'll pop back open. I just reach under where I have it tucked and squish it back down. I also keep the cover off so I can do so

 

Do you have any insight on why mine isn't starting with the wires jumped though?

 

Have you checked your fuses? And or starter relay? I know having an exposed wire crossing something can make an electrical system angry. If it grounded instead of competing circuit first could of popped one.

 

Doesn't seem to be the fuses, they're all good. Doesn't seem to be the starter relay either, if that's the part I'm thinking of that I've been jumping to start the truck, because I replaced that first thinking it was the culprit.

 

Might be a long shot but It could be the ignition switch. But I feel you might want to try and get a Haynes manual that has a wiring diagram and find out where the clutch switch wires go too. I feel they may have shorted or one of them broke an end? These are just all the things I would check out. And an ignition switch isn't that hard to change. You can poke a long pick up through the tiny hole in the bottom of the dash with the key rotated forward one click and it should wiggle out

 

Sadly I'm starting to think this problem is above me, so I'm going to take it in to a shop and see if they can figure it out. I'll update this thread once it's figured out.

 

Best of luck

 

I completely forgot to come back and update this post. No solution was ever really found, the truck just started... starting. The mechanic said he checked a bunch of different things and nothing appeared to be wrong, and it started every single time with the key after that. I ended up selling it shortly after.

 

I read through the thread. I also did search in General Ranger forum. No luck.

I have 98 Ranger 3.0L with manual 5 speed. I have same condition as writer of this thread, I turn key to on position and see cluster goes on. I turn to start and nothing happens. I wish to know how to jumper around the neutral safety switch to see if this is problem. Truck engine was removed and the young men took off ALL of the harnessing in the engine bay. I was none too pleased with them taking the harnesses out.

I have tested the 175 amp mega fuse and see 0.0 ohm continuity. We have a dead 2000 Mustang that dies from head gasket (separate story). I researched and found the 98 Ranger and 2000 Mustang share the same starter relay part. I went over to Mustang (at another home 5 mins away) and snagged the relay ... I thought. I got back home and no Mustang relay in my pocket. I think I set it in the battery tray. I'll go back and get it today.

I removed the starter and had it bench tested at Oreilly Auto. All good. I did learn I was using the wrong bolts to hold starter into transmission. As I said above, I didn't disassemble this engine. I inherited 2 boys mess (early 30s and know little about cars like taking pictures and labeling sh$t before taking apart).

Please advise how I jump the neutral safety switch on the clutch pedal. I am not the type that buys parts guessing if this will fix it. I call that the parts cannon. Thanks for any help.