Hello, I have a 1997 3.0l Manual Trans Ranger and it has some some crazy electrical problems. Since I got it a few years ago, I have replaced the ignition switch 5 times, due to its failure. It's new problem it when you put the key in and go to start it, there is either no electrical power to the dash or anywhere, and the door beeper will barley ring and the voltage meter on the dash with move a little bit. Sometimes I will hop in and it will start right up. Battery is good, new alternator, starter, starter solenoid, ignition switch, ignition cylinder, and I just cleaned all the grounds and battery posts to ensure the connections were good. When you tap the brake pedal, the voltage meter will move, and sometimes when you tap the pedal you can get it to start. My thoughts is there is a bad wire somewhere, or a fuse problem. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

In the engine bay on the inner fender will be the Starter Relay(often called a solenoid)
One post on this relay has a cable from battery positive
On that same post is a cable/wire that runs to engine bay fuse box<<<< this wire supplies 12volts to the WHOLE VEHICLE, everything that uses power is powered by this one wire, except starter motor

Remove the wires from the post, there should be 3, and clean them then reattach
See if that helps

Next will be to follow that wire to the engine fuse box and check that connection
In a 1997 Maxi Fuse #14(50amp) powers the ignition switch, that's the only fuse connected to ignition switch

Battery positive---(red)---starter relay post----(red)------engine fuse box(fuse 14)------(yellow)-------------ignition switch

That's all there is for 12v power to ignition switch

Now there is the large round connector on the drivers side of firewall that connects the engine bay wires to the cab wires
The Yellow wire from fuse 14 is on that connector to pass 12v thru to ignition switch
You can unbolt the connector(engine bay side) and pull it back, have look for corrosion, and then put it back together, this CLEANS all the contacts by sliding them apart and then sliding them together

 

Ok thanks for the detail. I will try cleaning up all my connections.