1993 Ford Ranger No-Start

1993 FORD RANGER
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OHNONOTHIMAGAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1993 Ranger with 162,000 miles 2.3 liter 4 cyl with a manual transmission. It won't start unless I jiggle the transmission shift lever back and forth-and then it engages. But now it won't start at all regardless of how much I jiggle the shift lever.Someone said that it's a solenoid that needs to be replaced-I wondered if this make/model had a start interlock that needs replacement/repair. It runs fine once I can get it started-no compression loss that I know of.
BUT-it still has the original timing belt. On this model-is the timing belt a interference/non-interference belt ? what I need to know is if it breaks-will it ruin the engine ? Thank you
Feb 15, 2007 at 1:25 AM
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BHUGG
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 157 POSTS
First lets determine which circuit it is. jumper the starting relay. If it is in good condition, the starter will turn the engine over. Make sure that the car is in neutral, the brake is on and the wheels are chocked. If nothing happens, then you have a problem with the circuit to the starter.

The entire circuit consists of the battery, starter relay, the starter and the wiring. Check all connections for good clean and tight connections.There needs to be acomplete circuit.

If the starter works, the relay circuit (on my 93 explorer anyway) has the following components. Power is fed from the ignition switch, to the clutch switch, to the anti-thert controller module (if installed) to the starting relay. Again, there needs to be a complete circuit.

On my 93 explorer, there is no switch on the stick.
Feb 17, 2007 at 2:21 AM
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DARREN'S WIFE
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  • 2 POSTS
i have a 93 ranger with almost 200,000 miles. it is a 2.3l manual transmission. My timing belt broke while i was traveling down the road. The only thing that happened when it broke was the motor shut off. before i realized it was the timing belt, i had tried to restart. my motor was not damaged due to belt breaking. I would seriously consider changing belt asap. it will save you a headache down the road. because it may break at a time when you really need your truck to run.
Aug 7, 2008 at 10:06 AM

Suggested Repair

With the transmission in neutral, brake applied, and wheels chocked, jumper the starting relay to see whether the starter cranks. If it does not, inspect the battery, starter relay, starter, and wiring for clean, tight connections. If it does, trace power from the ignition switch through the clutch switch and any anti-theft module to the relay.

Conversation Summary

A 1993 Ford Ranger 2.3L manual will not start unless the shift lever is jiggled, and now will not start at all, though it runs normally once started. The owner also asks whether the original timing belt is interference type. An expert recommends safely testing the starter circuit at the relay and checking the battery, starter, wiring, clutch switch, and anti-theft module if equipped, noting no shifter switch on a similar vehicle. Another owner reports a similar Ranger timing belt broke without engine damage and advises replacing it soon.

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