I know this is a ranger forum but my 86 bronco 2 starts as soon as i put the positive cable on the battery post. I think its a wiring problem. I have no experience with wiring and I figured someone here would know something about it or has had the same problem.

 

Sounds like a solenoid problem. It is probably stuck.

 

86? yeah look on the passenger fender for a small black round thing with two big wires on it and one small one. Its fried

 

Thanks guys ill get a new solenoid when i get time

 

I got a solenoid yesterday and put it in this morning. It stopped fireing when i hooked the battery up but now it won't start when I turn the key...bad ignition switch maybe? thats the only thing i can think of.

 

lol my dads 86 f250 did that. replaced the solenoid, and ignition switch, and its good now.

 

I guess I need to go buy an ignition switch now lol

 

Before you buy a new ignition switch try the following (standard 4 terminal solenoid):

Pull the S terminal off the solenoid and connected one end of voltmeter (or test light) to it and the other end to a good known ground. Now turn the key to start. The meter should show 12 volts (test light should light up). If that works, re-connect the S terminal (Ign switch is more than likely good).

Next, connecting a jumper wire between the solenoids mounting screws to battery ground and try starting the truck. If it starts, you have a bad ground.

If it still does not start, remove the S terminal wire and connect a jumper wire between the Battery terminal and the S terminal. It should crank over.

 

Thanks Rev ill try that tommorow morning and post back on here

 

Chk the mounting point for the solenoid.
That's the ground and it should be on bare metal with contact grease applied between the solenoid and the fender.

Take off the solenoid, sand the fender to bare metal, apply grease, remount the solenoid with larger screws or in new holes.

 

Thanks ill get to that tomorrow

 

My dads escort did the same thing last year. It was a bad ignition switch. It was a PITA to change too