I'm sorry If I'm screwing this up,I'm new.
1988 ranger 2door manual 5speed 4cyl.
So I noticed when the turn signals do not come on, the air does not work, the reverse lights don't work, and brake lights act funny too. Yesterday it didn't want to start, finally started went to leave and stopped at a light, it died. Turned right back on but the radio didn't work and the gas gage and hot\cold gage didn't work either. This morning, started fine with only the blinker and lights problems. I think there is a negative\ground cable problem somewhere. Am I wrong? Could something else be the problem? (I don't know much about cars)

 

Thank you all for your help, I figured it out. There's a wiring harness in the steering column that's loose. The wires and harness are loose. I have another problem though... The starter. It just spins, I took it off and the teeth are gone. I looked at where the teeth connect and they're... Um not as bad... What is this part called? I'm pretty sure it needs to be replaced but I don't know what its called to get a replacement.

 

I think you are talking about the flywheel.

 

Thank you very much!!

 

Well actually the "teeth" on the flywheel(flexplate on automatic) is called the Ring Gear.

But from the post I think the starter gear is the problem, while you can replace just the gear getting the parts usually means buying a used starter from the wrecking yard so most get a new starter.
Current starter may have been installed incorrectly which caused this, starter gear is made of a "softer" steel than Ring Gear, so if there is a mis-algnment the starter gear will be the one to fail first, but it does wear the Ring gear a bit.

Manual trans or automatic trans often use different starter gears, because Ring Gear is different, it isn't true for all vehicles but for many it is.

 

Thank you!!! I own a manual transmission.