Hello all,

1994 Ranger 4.0L 5 speed. This morning the truck started just fine like normal then when I left the store it wouldn't start only giving a single click from the fender relay. Walked to the parts store and got a new relay and we jumped the old relay with a screwdriver to get me back home. Replaced the fender relay or solenoid or whatever it's called and now I'm having the exact same problem.

Battery is fine, 12.6v. New relay is fine reading 12.6v as well and when jumping it with a screwdriver again the starter engages just fine. Checked the cables, grounds, etc and everything seems fine. I'm terrible with electrical stuff but I would think that the starter itself would be fine seeing how I can jump the relay and the starter engages immediately each time. Is it possible that I just happened to get a bad relay from the store or maybe I managed to install it wrong or something? All other electrical components work just fine, lights, interior, radio, dash, etc. Just can't get the starter to engage without jumping the relay again. I've read all of the other threads about this and it seems like if the starter engages when jumping the relay then it's the relay that is bad or the battery terminals. But I replaced it already.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Starter relay will have a smaller wire on the smaller "S" post, that's the wire that activates the relay, its has 12volts when key is turned to START

The wire gets 12v from ignition switch but it must pass thru the Clutch switch, its on the clutch pedal pushrod in the cab, clutch pedal must be down all the way to CLOSE this switch so it can pass the 12v along to starter relay

ignition switch----------------clutch switch-----------------------------------------------------------------------------starter relay---Ground

Make sure starter relay has a good ground to metal inner fender, clean bolts
Pull off the "S" post wire and use a jumper wire from battery positive that the "S" port....MAKE SURE TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL
With 12v at the "S" post relay should click and starter should activate, if not new relay is bad