Will not start

2002 FORD RANGER
200,000 MILES • 3 CYL • AUTOMATIC
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LAKERS24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
At first I thought it was the battery so I bought a new battery last week and it worked. then this morning it stopped. so I bought new battery terminals this morning but that didn’t work as well. I don’t know if it’s the alternator or spark plugs or what. It’s an XLT model.
May 3, 2021 at 3:58 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi,

The spark plugs will not cause the starter to fail or not crank the engine. What I need to determine if there is an issue with the alternator not properly charging the battery allowing it to get too weak to start the engine, or if there is a parasitic draw causing it.

I need you to perform a simple test. We need to determine if the battery is too weak to start it at this point. Here is a link that shows how to load test the battery. It is very simple but works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

If the battery fails the test, I will need you to recharge it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

I know this seems really simple, but I need to know if the battery is too weak to start it. We can't check the alternator until the engine is running unless you want to remove it and have it bench tested at a parts store.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
May 3, 2021 at 1:25 PM
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