I have a 1998 ranger with the 3.0 and I let it sit for about 3 weeks while I saved up for some new tires then I get in it to start it and it dings like normal then I go to turn it over and it dies... nothing no dash lights not radio.. nothing. Then I let the key sit at run for a few seconds and it started to act fine again but the same thing. Now nothing works at all... if you use the horn or hazards it does nothing but make an awful sound then if the key isn't in the ignition and you do that something like a relay will just click continually in the dash... I am at a loss and about too just take the damn thing to a shop.. please help!

 

Welcome to the forum

Remove and Clean battery terminals and cable ends and Charge the battery

Your battery may be self draining, it has an internal short, it will hold a charge for a few days to a week or so but after 3 weeks it died
Batteries last 4 to 6 years and need to be replaced, just the laws of physics
But they can develop an internal short any time but usually after the 4 years.

 

I tried that and charged the battery. It weird because it doesn't sound like a dead battery the starter solenoid
Isn't clicking it is in the dash passanger side behind what I believe is the ECU.

 

The relay you here is the battery saver relay.

You voltage is still too low.

Get a volt meter and test battery voltage, should be above 12.3volts, new battery is 12.8volts

Here is what I think happened
You have a loose/corroded battery cable end, either at the battery or at the other end of those cables.

When you turn on the key you were drawing maybe 5 AMPS to start computer and light up the dash.
When you turned the key to START you needed 150 AMPS thru those battery cables, and the loose or corroded end simply heated up and shut off even the 5 AMPS passing thru it.

In the engine fuse box is the starter relay, the key activates that in START

If you have an Automatic push it up into PARK again