Hey All,

My '94 2wd XLT manual trans Ranger works great, except when left for a weekend. I daily drive it just fine all over the place. When it sits for 2 days it won't start. When I put a starter kit to it it fires right back up. What do I need to do to make sure it will keep working if sitting for 2 days? Thanks for any ideas.

 

Whats a "Starter Kit"?

If engine won't crank, i.e. starter motor won't work, then your battery is most likely Self Draining, it happens when batteries get older, battery life is 4 to 7 years
If you have a Volt meter, then in the morning after battery has sat overnight(longer than 5 hours engine off) test battery volts, BEFORE starting engine
12.3v to 12.8v is acceptable range
12.2v or lower is a failing battery, replace it

12.8v is a newer battrey
12.3v is 4 to 6 year old battery, and only has 50% charge left, and probably won't crank engine if outside temp gets below 40degF


Disconnect one battery cable after parking vehicle, reconnect after 2 days, if No Crank then replace battery, its self draining, has an internal short

If vehicle does start then your Ranger has an electrical drain, i.e. glove box light, or some other system that's staying on with key off, you need to use an AMP meter and disconnect one fuse at a time to track down that drain

 

Thanks Ron! I'll check this out. The starter kit is just a battery jump start kit. Thanks again.

 

OK

So battery issue for sure
You should also test alternator with volt meter if you change the battery
After start up battery should read 13.5v to 14.8v, no higher or lower than that

 

"Starter kit" is a portable jump-starter.

 

Sounds good Ron! I'll check it all before this weekend is over. Thanks for the good advice.