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Engine will not crank

Tiny
SAKKKK
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 237,688 MILES
When you connect the battery on my truck the theft light blinks and makes clicking noises behind the dash. It does it with the key on or off. The truck will not crank. Two relays in the fuse box click as well when you hook up the battery.
Thursday, April 1st, 2021 AT 3:23 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
We need to do a couple things. First we need to load test the battery because a weak battery will cause this.

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

Then we need to find out what relays are clicking. This will determine what the issue could be.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Let's start with this and go from there. Thanks
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Friday, April 2nd, 2021 AT 7:25 PM
Tiny
SAKKKK
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The 2 relays clicking is the horn and lights. It can't be the battery because I have hooked up a new battery and here was no change.
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Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Okay. Next thing is to replace these relays. The most likely cause of a clicking relay is a failed relay. It is odd that you have two of them but I would spend the couple bucks and change them out before spending more time on this for just a relay issue.

Here is a guide on testing them if you want to do that as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Thanks
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Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 AT 7:57 PM
Tiny
SAKKKK
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Update: I found a bad ground that has somehow made everything back to normal when it comes to the relays clicking and the theft light blinking but it still won't crank.
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Sunday, April 4th, 2021 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
SAKKKK
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  • 8 POSTS
I have replaced the relays and the same thing happens.
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Sunday, April 4th, 2021 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. This is progress. The next thing is to go to the starter and check for power on both wires. You should have 12 volts on the red wire all the time. Then have 12 volts on the other wire only while cranking.

I suspect you will not have 12 volts on this yellow blue wire. If that is the case then we need to go to the relay and check for voltage on this relay as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

You should have 12 volts on pin 30 all the time and 85 when the engine is cranking.

If you don't have voltage on 85 then we most likely have a range sensor issue.

Let me know what questions you have. Thanks
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Monday, April 5th, 2021 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
SAKKKK
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I haven't fixed the theft light thing entirely.
It still blinks and clicks when battery is connected but eventually goes off and I have noticed when the theft light blinks the lights that light up the steering wheel and AC/heater controller blink to.
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Friday, April 9th, 2021 AT 2:40 PM
Tiny
SAKKKK
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I found out the relay doesn't have power but the fuse does.
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Friday, April 9th, 2021 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
SAKKKK
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Update: took the fuse for the anti theft out. Now it cranks but doesn't seem like it's getting gas.
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Friday, April 9th, 2021 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
SAKKKK
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Okay. Found a way to fix it, so far for good. Behind the panel by the parking brake lever there is some wires. There should be a dark green with a purple stripe wire. Ground the wire and it's fixed. Thanks for the help KASEKENNY1.
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Saturday, April 10th, 2021 AT 5:51 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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That is great. Basically all you are doing is bypassing the relay and taking the place of what the theft system does. Thanks for the update. That is great info and I am glad you got it going. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Sunday, April 11th, 2021 AT 7:40 PM

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