I have a 1996 Ford ranger 2 Wheel Dr. with a 2.3 L four-cylinder engine. I had to replace the alternator and when I put the new alternator on I turn the ignition to the start position and the wipers come on and the washer fluid sprays. I’ll try to start the truck and nothing happens just like I have not push the clutch in. When installing the alternator I know I have it installed correctly. There are two plugs which can only be plugged in one direction so there’s no way I have them plugged in wrong and the ground wire that goes on the post which is secure. I have checked all fuses and relays and found nothing wrong there. It looks like there is a short somewhere but I don’t know where to begin looking. It was working fine the day that I replaced the alternator. It was starting and running fine on battery power alone. Please help.

 

Welcome to the forum

That is an odd one

There is no connection between alternator/charging system and the rest of the vehicles electric system
Alternator wires go to Battery Positive, nothing else

Pull out Fuse 24 in cab fuse box and turn key to START, see if wipers come on
And was the wiper switch on when that happened before?
Fuse 24 only has 12v when key is in START not RUN(on)

 

Thanks Rond and no the switch was not on. Also when I turn the key to the start position and the wipers come on the switch will not work as far as controlling the speed of the wipers.

 

Did you pull out fuse 24 and turn the key to START, starter motor will NOT activate, testing to see if wipers activate