I have an '89 Ranger 4x4 Super Cab with the 2.9 and standard transmission. Over the last couple weeks, when I try to start, I get nothing - and none of the devices which should be powered (heater fan, radio, lights, etc) receive any power. I turn the ignition switch off and on, turn fan off and on, things like that - and the power magically resumes. The last couple times this has happened, I've been driving and everything just goes dead. Yesterday, I had to push it the last few block home and now it sits. When this started, I checked the battery cables and they were all snug and clean. The battery was good. I suspect a ground fault is the issue. Before I start juggling wires (that's about the extent of my auto electric knowledge), is there a good place I should start looking? Can somebody that's been through this give me a hint? Thanks so much! Standing by...

 

Welcome to the forum

1989 Ranger will run ALL the 12volt side from battery and alternator to the Starter Relay on the inner fender, often called starter solenoid

One larger post on the starter relay will have battery Positive cable connected, and then several other cables/wire on this same post, this is the 12v distribution for the whole vehicle
Remove and clean all these cable/wire ends

Battery Negative, Ground, should have larger cable running to the engine block or Starter motor bolt on bellhousing. this is the Main Ground for starter motor and alternator, these are the high AMP devices.
There may be smaller battery negative cable that runs to Rad Support, thats the head light ground
On the back of the drivers side head there should be a Ground Strap that runs to the Firewall, this is the main ground for the Cab Electrics, the engine and transmission sit on rubber mounts so they can't pass ground to cab or frame, so Ground strap is needed
Same for frame, there should be a ground strap from engine to frame, usually near one of the Motor Mounts, this is for the tail lights and sometimes fuel pump

You can add grounds wires if you can't find the ones mentioned, you can't have too many grounds
Frame and Cab need a ground to engine, also inner fender where starter relay is needs a Ground


Ignition Switch is under the steering column, above brake pedal area, the key pushes and pulls a rod inside the column when you turn it, that Rod slides the Ignition Switch into its 4 positions, ACC, OFF, RUN, START
Ignition Switches are MOVING PARTS, so can wear out and cause your issues


Just as an FYI, when an engine is running the Alternator is supplying ALL the Power to the vehicle, Battery is only used for starting the engine, batteries are 12.3-12.8volts, a working alternator provides 13.5volt to 14.8 volts, so a higher voltage than a battery.
Power flows TO the battery, to keep it charged while engine is running.

So for a running engine to stall BOTH Battery and Alternator power must be cut off at the Ignition Switch, try Head lights, they don't use power from ignition switch, they are wired directly to battery/alternator power via the headlight switch, same for Brake lights, direct power, if they work then it would point more towards ignition switch

 

Wow! Thanks! That's exactly the sort of information I was hoping for! I'll let you know how it turns out :-)

 

if your suspecting a bad ground somewhere or truck refuses to start or send power anywhere you can run clamp on jumper cables from negative battery post to frame or engine or engine to frame or cab to engine etc as a test method to see where grounds are being lost.

it being an 89 theres bound to be rust and corrosion in the ground cable connections an dlike Ron said - you can never have too many grounds.