I had my 98 ranger stolen and the idiots pull a whole buttload of wires from under the dash and now it wont start unless I use a jumper wire to the starter relay in the fuse box in the engine bay..with that being said I've traced all the wires that connect to the ignition and everything is in tact except this one little blue half circle thing that attaches to the cylinder lock I've replaced ignition switch and cylinder lock and still had no luck I want to say that the little blue thing is causing my truck not to start normally this is a stick shift as well and its driving me nuts.....I have to start it while the key is in the on position and go to my engine bay and use the jumper wire every time...when I turn the key it does absolutely nothing. And if I try and attach the little blue thinggymabob to the cylinder lock it just beeps as if the keys are still in the ignition until I shut the door....I'm literally bald and I want to find some hair to rip out because it's making me insane..

 

Welcome to the forum


The "little blue wire" is just for the "key in ignition" warning chime, won't cause your no crank

The ignition switch is Under the steering column, above brake pedal area, the key turning pushes a rod that slides the ignition switch into its 4 positions

Check Fuse #24 in cab fuse box, 7.5amp, it passes the 12v from ignition switch to Clutch switch, clutch pedal must be all the way down for the 12v to pass thru it and to the Starter Relay in engine fuse box

Make sure clutch switch is plugged in, it is on the clutch pedal pushrod

1998 Ranger could get an optional Alarm System, do you know if you have that?
If so there is another Relay that disables starter activation if Alarm is not disable, by unlocking the door with the key
If you have never seen a slow flashing LED on the dash then you do not have an Alarm