When I turn the key all I hear is a click but if I stick a screwdriver in the solenoid relay (or whatever its called) that's mounted on the inside driver fender +and- posts it will crank. If I hold the key in the turned position and press and depress the clutch pedal it will click everytime as well. This truck has sat for about 3yrs and I remember before that you seemed to have to press the clutch pedal really hard for it to crank. The interior bell sometimes still dings after you pull the key out as well

 

If you put truck in neutral with key to run position and e-brake on. Pop hood and jump the solenoid. Does it crank over or just click still?

If it cranks I'd suspect your clutch switch. Since you said you had to press it down hard in the past. It might be slipping off. You could remove the clutch pedal switch and do the same test. Truck in neutral push the internal plunger down inside switch and turn key if it starts it's the switch.

If it doesn't start jumping the solenoid though then it's not the ignition switches problem. I'd move up the chain. Bad starter or block seized or something like that. Could try push starting it to rule out starter. Or engine stuck. Push it in neutral and pop clutch with it in gear. See if engine rotates.
if you can manually rotate engine then I'd suspect a bad starter.

 

Not being hateful but im thinking you didnt really read my post.Lol. I posted that it will crank with a screwdriver in the solenoid. That action engages the starter so that means the starter isnt stuck and the engine obviously isnt stuck because it cranks.

 

ok so if it only clicks with when you push in the clutch with key on and you pump the clutch in and out it seems like its getting the signal from the clutch switch.
and it did crank when you shorted the posts. I thought you said click last time not crank. now I'm thinking its possibly the starter solenoid ground.

 

Yes,If I short the posts on that solenoid or whatever it's called it cranks everytime. I just put it in neutral, turn the key switch over , press emergency brake and then go out and crank it. Funny thing is it was cranking the normal cranking procedure before it was parked because of a busted fuel line. I suppose something could have become corroded as it has been sitting.

 

Could be a bad solenoid. But I'd check the solenoid ground bolt to the inner fender well. That needs to be a good ground or it wont work. I've had 2 old fords with this set up that wiggling the solenoid got it working.

 

Ok so this is actually called the starter relay and that's how I can crank it. By touching the posts on it. Maybe it is the problem..

 

The smaller post in the pictured Starter Relay will have a Red/blue wire attached, that wire should have 12volts with key turned to START, and clutch pedal down, it activates the Relay

Test that wire with volt meter or test light for 12v, set it up so you can see meter or light from cab when you turn the key and have clutch pedal down

You can also use a jumper wire from Battery positive to the smaller post to test if relay is working, KEY OFF, Transmission in NEUTRAL!!!! for this test

1996 Ranger did have optional alarm system with Starter Interrupt Relay in the cab, it would "click" and disable starter signal to engine bay if activated

 

Happy to say that the starter relay was the problem. Thank you all for your help/info.

 

Good stuff

Thanks for the update an THE FIX