Ok Iv got a 91 4.0 Ranger ! And went out one day to start it and no power! No dome lite dash head lights . Nothing . It won’t start ! That my battery went dead nope it’s fine ! Iv checked all the grounds and positive leads Iv got power to the starter ! But now where else! I’m at a loss! Any good ideas on what the hell is going on ! I’m assuming it’s something easy. 🙄

 

Welcome to the forum

DC electric needs 2 voltages, 12volts and 0volts, 0volts is often called Ground, but its still electric voltage, just measured as 0volts

Volt meters can be a bit miss leading if taken at face value, they draw virtually NO AMPS, so grain of salt when reading voltages

Battery volts should be between 12.3v and 12.8v
12.8v is a new battery
12.5v is 3 year old battery
12.3v is 5/6 year old battery and time to shop for battery sales

12.2v or less is a drained or dead battery

When testing voltage test from 12v wire to engine metal ground should be EXACTLY the same as Battery Voltage, if battery tested as 12.5v then you should see 12.5v, if 12.4v then that shows a problem, you are losing AMPS in the wiring

General speaking if there are no Dash lights with key on then battery cables are to blame, you can use a razor knife to cut back insulation on each cable, + and -, and look for whitish corrosion, replace cables if found

The positive battery cable connects to Starter Relay Post, along with several other wires, thats the 12v power distribution for the whole vehicle, with 12v battery cable unhooked from battery, remove these cables and clean them, then put them back on

remove and clean Battery 0volt cable(ground) and follow it to the engine, clean its connection there

Those are the two main cables that supply 12v and 0volt to the vehicle