Hey all, hope you can help me here.

1993 Ford Ranger XLT 2.3L gas engine.

The car won't start. I have no power at all when I turn the key, not even a clicking noise. Had the battery checked, and the alternator. Both are good, and less than a week old. The alternator is the 4th one in 1.5 years, so I have a feeling something else is effecting it. When the door is open the dome light is on, but as soon as I turn the key, turn on the lights, or step on the brake pedal, it goes completely out.

However, when jump started with cables, it starts up just fine. but... When it is on, after removing the jumper cables, the battery gauge flickers, and if I turn anything electrical on, (headlights, step on the brake pedal, dome light) the engine sputters and tries to die.

I just changed the starter as well, still the same problem.

Any ideas?

Thanks ahead of time,

Erik
Edit/Delete Message

 

Sounds like you should be having some CEL action....Have you had any codes pulled? Also check all your vacuum connections and MAF.

 

I had a battery/alternator problem with my 2.3 mustang.

 

Oh, I swear a second ago your reply said check the celonoid. (I could be a bit loopy though...) If that is the case, the new starter I put on came with one, should I pull it and have them check it were I got it?

I have not had codes pulled, that is next on the list.

As for the others, thanks, I'll try that.

 

Yeah upon further thought, You may have some crappy spent wires being since youve gone through 4 alt.s in a year and a half....

 

Check to see that the battery cables are clean and tight. Not just at the battery but also at the starter, starter relay and ground point.

 

Hmmm...nope. But thats not a bad idea...sometimes those solinoides are junk. Are you 100% sure you hooked the starter up correctly?

 

I think so.... If I didn't, would the car have started when jumped?

 

Ok, so I'm going to go out and check wires. That should be an awesome romantic evening....

 

Yeah it would have, but you may have a crappy ground or loose connection

 

starter silonoid, wires going to starter. go there first...

 

Problem found!

I feel like a complete idiot for overlooking this..... Cleaning off the starter cables did the job! Well, at least now I have a new battery, alternator, and starter to go with it....

Thanks for the help everyone.

Now to go try to stop laughing at myself...

 

Nice. My auto teacher used to lecture us all the time about how if something goes wrong we should troubleshoot, and not just start chucking new expensive parts at the problem till its fixed.

Aaron

 

Now see there's the problem. Auto was cut around here before I started High School....