Im not sure what exactly is going on here, so I’ll do the best I can to explain it. This has happened a couple times before, and after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, it usually worked.. until today.

So I went out to start it and it gave one click. I tried a few times after that and got nothing, not even a click. I could get it to click once again by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, and trying to start it. The battery has a charge, and I don’t see any drop in charge when it is in the start position. The alternator is new and I tried jumping the battery just to be sure. I haven’t ruled out the starter yet because I really didn’t want to lay on the wet pavenent to jump it with a screw driver but the way it acts doesn’t seem like a bad starter.

One more thing that it does, after I try to start it, and I return the key to the off position, it begins clicking under the dash. It sounds like a relay of some sort, and i believe it is a click that normally happens when the key is in the start position. It won’t stop until you remove the battery cable either.

This is might be related but I’m not sure. The shifter is pretty wobbly (it’s an automatic) so sometimes when I turn the key it won’t start but if I lift up on that, it’ll turn over without a problem.

P.S. it’s a 2001 Ford Ranger 3.0l 2x4, 190,000mi

 

Welcome to the forum

2001 Ranger will be 18 years old, should be on its 3rd battery, and that battery will be 5 to 6 years old so could be the problem

It reads like battery power is not getting to the vehicle, most likely bad battery cables which is why it worked before when you unhooked battery then hooked it back up, this gives it a temporary good connection
And why jumping doesn't help, same failing battery cables and it wouldn't matter if you jumped from 10 batteries, lol

Relay clicking under dash re-enforces this, the low voltage can't hold Battery Saver relay closed most likely, so it goes...click, click, click

Try turning on head lights and heater fan to high, if there are issues then vehicle is not able to get full battery voltage

A failing battery can cause same symptom
Use volt meter on battery
New battery is 12.8volts
3 year old battery is 12.5volts
5 to 6 year old battery is 12.3volts

12.2volts and under is a failing battery, any bit of cold temps and it won't work
If its below 12volts then if you tried to use jumper cables it would just suck down the other battery's voltage


PATS, passive anti-theft system, 1999 and up Rangers have this, when you turn on the key the Theft Light should come on and then go off, if it Flashes rapidly then starter motor will not work

Yes, there is a safety switch on the transmission that prevents starter motor from working unless automatic is in Park or Neutral
Google: Ford ranger loose column shifter

There could be a simple fix for that, tighten 2 screws
Very common issue on all Ford trucks with column shifter, not a Ranger thing

 

 

So after receiving no help from these forums, I figured it out myself. The starter solenoid was bad, and after turning the key, it would stick open. changed the entire starter, and it starts just fine.

 

Good work

Thanks for the update

Sorry you felt left out