so I went to start my rangeer 3.0 yesterday and the battery was dead. I live in Colorado rocky mountains where it does get very cold at night. I tested the battery and it was junk. Replaced with Optima red top for these conditions. now still no start, just crank and crank. I believe starter is the problem.

 

So it still turns over fine, it just won't start? I would pull the starter and see if autozone can test it or something.

 

Yea, It's windy and raining now.. that's the weather here for you.. don't like it wait 20 minutes! haha The old oil filter drain piece broke and when I change the oil it always drains on the starter wires. But always clean it with brake cleaner every time.

 

I got the ranger started but now the idle is really low. apox 500rpm! battery gauge steady then slightly fluctuating. IAC? MAF?

 

Soo truck starts right up now and idles perfect. Strange glitch. I did a wiggle test on all sensor wires/connectors. Everything was fine. 114,879 miles and I've only had to install DPFE, rear abs sensor, cruise control buttons and, 2 batteries

 

dude, mine pulled some strange **** like the other day..
cranked and cranked and cranked, nothing!
i kept trying and trying. that yellow top gave it hell!! haha

soo i took my moms car to the dentist and work, when i left work i packed the tool bag with everything to diagnose the truck, i got home and it fired right up!! no problems since, but it kinda worries me

 

The low idle was because when I did the battery vehicle hadn't be thru a drive cycle yet. Didn't know what to do in the high alt.

 

If the starter is cranking the engine over, then clearly the starter is working fine