Electrical problem

TODD ALLMAN

MEMBER
1988 FORD RANGER
2.9L
V6
RWD
AUTOMATIC
74,000 MILES

Truck has lost all power. The headlights will not burn, no interior lights and there is no power with the switch on at the solenoid. The battery is new and the connection is good. It was starting and running great and then it would not do anything.

Thursday, July 6th, 2017 AT 2:38 PM

5 Replies

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,292 POSTS

If there is absolutely no power, I would suggest checking your battery terminals and cables. Loose/weak terminals can wreak havoc on your car's reliability.

See this article: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Also, if the terminals can be moved and adjusted without first loosening the nut on them, then you need to tighten or even replace the terminal.

So check that and let us know how it goes.

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Thursday, July 6th, 2017 AT 7:57 PM

TODD ALLMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you for your assistance. I checked the battery and all connections were good. I have narrowed it down to either the ignition switch relay or the fusible link on the negative side. I am going to change them out to see if it solves the problem.

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Sunday, July 9th, 2017 AT 5:48 PM

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,292 POSTS

If the cables are good, then the problem is likely in the ignition switch or it's relay or in one of the fusible links in the GIF image below. Keep us posted and good luck. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on what you're doing.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Sunday, July 9th, 2017 AT 6:45 PM

TODD ALLMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The ignition switch relay did not solve the problem. Is there any way to check the fused wires without stripping or cutting them?

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Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 AT 7:52 PM

HARRY P

MECHANIC
2,292 POSTS

If there are exposed ends on them you could use a multimeter and do continuity tests on them. If the ends aren't exposed, you could try to poke a small hole in the insulation on the wire and stick the leads in.