2001 Ford Ranger Lost all electrical power after attempted

RFH29697

MEMBER
2001 FORD RANGER

Electrical problem
2001 Ford Ranger 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 160K+ miles

Couple days ago I went to start my 01 Ranger, it clicked once then lost all electrical power. Removed the battery and it tested bad so I purchased a new one. Installed new battery, attempt to start and again I lose all electrical power in the cab. Remove the neg lead and reconnect and I get electrical power again, but when I attempt to start it goes out. Pulled alternator and starter and both tested good.

Battery terminals are new, clean and free of corrosion as are the electrical connections at the starter.

Any help would be greatly appreciated because I do not have the money to take it to a garage.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Do a voltage drop test on the battery cables. Inspect and test all fusible links

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Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 AT 10:16 PM

RFH29697

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Found the problem! YAH!

Turned out to be the main ground line going from the battery to starter. The line had a significant amount of corrosion along the entire length of the wire. The corrosion was so bad that the individual strands of copper wire was so brittle that it would break upon touching.

So. I replaced the main grounding wire, and several of the smaller ones just to be sure, the truck came to life as if nothing had happened.

Thanks for the reply and advice!