Hello, new to the forums and basically new to DIY mechanical projects.

the battery in my ranger ('03 XLT 4.0 v6 manual 4x4) gave out the other day so I swapped it out but it still would not start, wouldn't even click or crank.
i thought for sure it was the solenoid on the starter solenoid I detatched the starter and was in the process of trying to get it out but its a PITA because the 4x4 drive shaft is in the way so I think id need to remove that to get it out. Before I got that far I had the bright idea of checking power through the starter signal cable (should have done that first)

So I started verifying power to the starter solenoid. The main power supply cable as 11.99 volts on it. I tested the signal wire with multimeter (positive lead to wire and negative to bare metal on engine) when the ignition is turned on to see if there was 12v on that wire and there was no power when ignition is turned. So I figured the problem must be upstream. I replaced the starter relay and fuse in the engine fuse box and still nothing.

Just looking to see if there's any other suggestions or common problems with these rangers i should know about. The next thing im going to check is the ignition switch. Is there anything else I should do before checking that? Anything simple im missing?

Thanks in advance!

 

"Truck wont start", is not a diagnoses. You need to quit shotgunning the thing and figure out what is the matter before you replace another part.
How did you determine the original battery was bad in the first place? Maybe it was fine!
Was the clutch all the way to the floor?
Did the key turn in the ignition?
Did the lights dim or go out when you turned the key?
Lots of questions to ask before you replace another part....unless you are made of money?

 

Battery was verified to be bad. Losing voltage output even after charging. Oreillys confirmed it. Secondly I did forget to mention a few things, I verified the clutch was all the way to the floor and clutch safety switch to be good as well. Lights dont dim when attempting to start vehicle, which tells me the starter is not being told to draw power, hence why i thought it was the solenoid. The key did turn in the ignition.

had my old starter bench tested and it started but the bearing just inside the starter was broken so I needed to replace it anyways just didn't know it yet. So all signs are point to the starter signal wire not being activated upon ignition.

I was not just blindly throwing parts at it without diagnostics, although I can see why my original post could make it seem that why as I did not include some of the steps I had already taken.