I'm new here and have never posted before. I have a 96 Ranger, 3.0, 2wd, manual trans and lately the truck isn't always wanting to start. I'll turn the key and nothing happens, but after turning the key on and off 2-3 times it'll finally start. I've replaced everything I can think of, all new battery cables, new starter solenoid (fender mounted), new starter, new starter relay in fuse box, new starter switch, and new clutch safety switch. The only thing I haven't replaced is the key cylinder. Otherwise, I'm out of ideas.

I do notice that when I turn the key, I here a faint click and all the lights on the dash go out except for the check engine light. But as mentioned, after turning the key off and on a few times, the truck will start right up and the check engine light goes off as normal.

Any ideas would be appreciated, thank you.

 

Welcome to the forum

Just to be sure, "Engine doesn't Start" means starter motor is working but engine won't start up
"No crank" means starter motor is not working

You mean No Crank, correct?

On manual trans there is a Clutch pedal safety switch on the clutch pedal push rod in the cab
The clutch pedal must be pressed down all the way to CLOSE this switch to allow starter motor activation, diagram here: https://www.2carpros.com/forum/autom...2217_CPP_1.jpg

Fuse 24 in the cab fuse box gets 12volts from the ignition switch(under steering column) when key is turned to START
So you could put a test light or volt meter on that fuse terminal, and repeatedly turn the key from off to START to make sure that fuse is getting 12volts everytime, if not replace ignition switch

Because turning the key repeatedly gets a starter motor working then it could be ignition switch issue, but............
The key cylinder uses a gear on the back side, that gear slides a rod inside the steering column, the rod moves the ignition switch into its 4 positions, ACC, OFF, RUN, START, if the gear or rod is damaged then it may not push/pull the ignition switch all the way to START everytime
Simplified diagram of how it works: https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...um_diagram.jpg
You can also see how steering wheel is locked in key OFF position
When you turn the key the "actuator rod" pushes and pulls the ignition switch into its 4 positions


In a regular no frills 1996 Ranger the 12v at fuse 24 goes to the Clutch switch, and thru the clutch switch(if closed) to the starter relay(solenoid) in the engine bay and that 12v activates the starter motor

Ignition switch in START(12v)----------fuse 24-----------------clutch switch----------------------------------------------------starter relay(solenoid)

Simple


But in 1996 Ford offered Keyless entry and an Alarm system as options, this was called the RAP module
If you don't have Fobs to lock and unlock doors then you for sure don't have this factory Alarm system
Alarm system has a Starter Interrupt Relay
This of course would disable starter circuit if there was a problem
Add-on Alarm systems do as well, so if you are not the original owner there may have been an alarm system added in the past and you just are not aware of it, long shot but not a no shot