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94 Ranger turns over but won't start

Tiny
CBGALOOT
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD RANGER
Starts maybe one in 10 times.
Turns over normally.
Runs rough when it does start.

Replaced distrib cap, button, coil, plugs, battery and alternator.

No joy.

Battery tests good, alternator tests good.
No check engine light.
I can hear the fuel pump when I turn on the ignition.

Here's where it gets weird.
Everything works fine when hooked to charger. Starts and runs fine. Sometimes dies when charger removed, sometimes continues to run.

When a battery load tester is hooked to battery, truck dies when battery loaded. Checker shows 13.5 volts when running. 12 not running. Maintains 12V when loaded, and not running.


Anybody got any ideas?
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Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 6:20 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
This what you do-remove coil wire from coil-prevent starting.

Put voltmeter on battery read the voltage record it-now crank engine for 10secs. The reading did it drop below 9.6 volts while being crank.
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Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
CBGALOOT
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Done that. It stays 12V or a little higher.

Thanks for the reply.
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Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 7:30 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Take the alternator out and get it tested by Autozone and comeback-what keeps it running is the charger not the alty.
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Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
CBGALOOT
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  • 4 POSTS
I don't think they would like that, as I just bought the alternator from Oriely's today. :)

I've been contemplating this all evening. The problem has to be a bad connection to either the firing circuit or the computer.

Or possibly a bad ground lead from the battery.

The only place I have checked actual voltage has been across the battery. There could be a dirty or loose connection between the battery and whatever is dying and causing the engine to stop.

I've got a wiring diagram. Tomorrow I will check some voltages at things like the computer and the coil.
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Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Don't think because the alty is new or remanufactured that is good its your choice-

There's such thing as manufacturers defect.
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Thursday, October 11th, 2007 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
CBGALOOT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I did test both new and old alternator and they test good.

Here's and update. The problem comes and goes.

I got it "fixed". Drove fine for several days then same symptoms one morning. That evening it started and ran.

Drove it several days. This morning it won't start.

Plan of the moment is new battery cables, just because.

And get that lube for electrical connectors that helps it make good contact.

I'm pretty sure there is some connection that is getting intermittent contact.
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Friday, October 19th, 2007 AT 11:23 AM

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