Engine will not crank

2000 FORD RANGER
237,688 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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SAKKKK
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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.
Apr 1, 2021 at 8:23 AM
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KASEKENNY
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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
Apr 2, 2021 at 12:25 PM
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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.
Apr 3, 2021 at 1:59 AM
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KASEKENNY
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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
Apr 3, 2021 at 12:57 PM
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SAKKKK
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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.
Apr 4, 2021 at 2:13 AM
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SAKKKK
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I have replaced the relays and the same thing happens.
Apr 4, 2021 at 5:34 AM
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KASEKENNY
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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
Apr 5, 2021 at 10:38 AM
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SAKKKK
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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.
Apr 9, 2021 at 7:40 AM
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SAKKKK
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I found out the relay doesn't have power but the fuse does.
Apr 9, 2021 at 8:14 AM
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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.
Apr 9, 2021 at 9:30 AM
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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.
Apr 10, 2021 at 10:51 AM
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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.
Apr 11, 2021 at 12:40 PM
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