Arrived home from home depot w/a load of lumber and attempted to back up the driveway and it just quit. This is a 2005 Ranger w/ 65000mi manual stans and has been running without a hitch since new. Checked all fuses, all good! looking for fuse links but don't know where to find them. The only thing that works is the "key in the ignition " alarm when you open the door. Ding ding ding! Are there any opinions as to what i'm looking at?

 

Did it just bog out and die? Nothing happens when you turn the key? Did you check the fuel inertia switch under the passenger side dash?

 

Yes, nothing happens when I turn the switch. No clicks ,nothing! I can get an indication on me Bluetooth charger pluged into the power outlet when I turn the switch and I checked the inertia switch but it's ok i didnt even hit a bump.

 

Have you checked the fuses in the Battery Junction Box under hood? Do the headlights work? With key in the on position, does the check engine light come on, do your turn signals work?

 

If you have a faulty ground you may have tripped PATS theft system. I have had it shut the truck off at idle before. just out and killed it at a red light. Pats will disable ignition and limit almost all power to cab (if not all...im unsure)

 

Yes, every fuse in the truck has been checked, and the only thing I getis the alarm when the key is in the switch (off) and the door is open . Otherwise it is silent as a toumb. Whats a PATS and how do I cure it?

 

On further investigation, when I open the door, the cab light comes on. when I turn the key to on (not start) the message center has a very faint glow to it, but when I turn it to start all goes dead.

 

When you checked your Inertia switch, did you just push the button a few times?
If so, you did absolutely nothing. you have to trip the Inertia switch before you can reset it. Smack it with something hard. but not hard enough to break it, just hard enough to jolt the sensor in there. THEN hit the button.

It sounds like a PATS or Inertia thing. Do you have another key for the truck? Try that. I've heard stories of the system locking one key out.
do you have a steady Theft light on? if there is power when the key is in "on" you can have someone with a scanner to see if there is a code present.

 

I have found the answer! It's the 7 year old battery! I jumped it with the wife's car and it started right up like a champ. It just shows to go; don't overlook the obvious. Thanks everybody for your help. Lets hope nothing more complicated happens in the future!

 

Just to CYA If you haven't already done so, I'd recommend having the charging system checked. Otherwise you may find yourself in the same situation shortly.

 

Great idea .Will do . Thanks!!!