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My engine does not crank over - starter not working?

Tiny
STEVEMCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 93,000 MILES
Engine will not turn over, beeping on key insertion.
Wednesday, August 21st, 2019 AT 7:20 AM

47 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,526 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the security system in engaged which can be from a bad battery here is a guide to help test and a guide to help you reset the system.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
STEVEMCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks Ken, We disconnected the battery for a half hour, reconnected the battery and the engine turned over and fire right up.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,526 POSTS
Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Thursday, August 20th, 2020 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
FCANDELARIA
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 128,000 MILES
2003 ford ranger 4wd 4.0l automatic, wont start. Clicking sound (0ne click) only. New battery With 12.6-12.8 volts standing charge, drops to about 11.5 or below when attempting to start, but recovers back to 12.5 shortly thereafter. Fuse to starter is okay. Starter relay was exchanged with another relay and seems to be a good relay. I jumped pin#30 and #87 on that relay and only clicked again. Starter taken off and benched checked. Both solenoid and motor worked fine. Taken to autozone and had them check it out, and passed. I bought a neutral safety switch, and a starter switch and installed both with no results. I even checked to see if by chance the engine seized, but I was able to turn the crank with a breaker bar with little resistance.I have 12.6v at the power side of the starter, but only a surge of about 6to8v at the service side for less the a second when my wife turns the key to start. I can't think of any thing else that would cause it to not start. I don't know the amount of volts the service side (small wire) at the starter should normally have and for how long. I'm sure this is the problem but I don't know how to proceed from here.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FCANDELARIA
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Thanks much.I found the problem. It was a loose wire close to the starter that I wouldn't have found if it wasn't for your (spit in your face drill sergeant treatment) that I ultimately needed. You saved me a ton of $ from having an auto repair garage diagnose the problem. Thanks again. Fcandelaria
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TCJEFFRIES
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 54,000 MILES
I cleaned the battery terminals and replaced a bolt on one terminals. Now my truck won't start. I put a battery charger on it and the charger says it is fully charged.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Do you get power to any of the accessories, lights? Does the starter work?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TCJEFFRIES
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, I had lights and the battery tested good. I went ahead and took the battery out and had it tested again. Only had 7 amps cranking power. Put in new battery. Works fine.
Thanks.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
That will do it. Glad you got it fixed. Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUSTMAN78
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 102,843 MILES
I have to move the shifter over to park pretty hard. Worked for awhile, now nothing.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This is one of two things. Either the transmission range sensor is faulty causing the PCM to not see the vehicle in park. Or the shift cable is stretched.

Either way, it is the same issue happening which is the PCM needs to see the vehicle in park or neutral in order to allow it to start. If the TRS is faulty then it doesn't recognize when it is in park. If the linkage is the issue then the transmission is not actually fully in park and the TRS is accurate.

I suspect the sensor is the issue so I supplied the testing for it but also the replacement for the linkage if that checks out okay. This guide can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back. Let me know what you find. Thanks
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 1:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSCOTTJR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 124,000 MILES
New battery, new ignition lock, new ignition switch, new starter, fuses and relays good. Still won't start.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

If the starter isn't working and turning the engine at all, check to see if it will start in neutral. Also, check fuses 11 under the hood and 24 under the dash. See pic 2. Also, switch the starter relay with another one that you know is good and has the same part number to see if that changes things.

If everything appears good, check to see if there is power to the yellow wire with a light blue tracer at the starter when the key is in the start position. (see pic 3). Also, here is a link that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Let me know if any of this helps or if you have other questions. Let me know exactly what is happening.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JCARTER112
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 95,000 MILES
Truck will not start, no power.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

When you say no power, does anything work? For example, the radio, dome light, radio, headlamps and so on?

If nothing works, first make sure the battery is fully charged and confirm the terminals are tight and clean.

Next, confirm the battery negative terminal is connected to the engine block and to body. Make sure the connections are clean and tight.

If that is good, next check for power at the number 1 fuse in the fuse / relay box under the hood. See pic 1. It is a 50 amp fuse. Also, if the fuse appears good, make sure there is power to it.

Here are a few links you may find helpful when testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

I am basing this on nothing working. Let me know if that is different than what happens. Take care, Joe
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIEL MCCULLOUGH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
Sometimes it would start sometimes it won't. I've check the positive and negative cable for the battery, no erosion. Replaced the starter, tightened the bracket at the bottom of the steering column for shifter cable. I messed with the neutral safety switch and got it to start and continued to start for a couple week's. Then it started not to start again. So I replaced the neutral safety switch and fired up every time for about 20 times. The owner got up the next morning for work truck fired up he stopped at QT came out truck fired right up. He worked all day gets in the truck to go home and again didn't want to start. Got power all the lights work just not starting. I go to his work and mess with the safety switch for a good HR and still nothing. Now there is a bushing in the steering column that totally wore itself to nothing. Surely that's not causing it not to start. After the neutral safety switch I'm not sure what the next step would be. Any advise would be appreciated.
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

In the diagrams down below I have included a wiring diagram of your vehicle's starting circuit. The first component I want you to check is a component called the Clutch Triple Function Switch Jumper, which I have included it's location in the diagrams down below as well. With a helper turning the ignition key please take a voltage reading at each side of the component and get back to us with what you are able to find out. We can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RONTWOHAWKS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD RANGER
Electrical problem
2002 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Manual

I went to start the truck after moving it to the back yard. When I went to move again it wouldn't start. Replaced the starter relay switch, no change. Have accessories when turning the key back but turn to start it and everything dies. Ignition switch? If so, how hard to change?
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Chances are the starter is the problem. Try this. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for power to the smaller wire on the starter. You should get 12+ volts to it. Check that and let me know what you find. Also, before doing that, make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight and the battery is good.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUDLEYWARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD RANGER
When I try to start the vehicle, turn key to on, all dash lights come on as they should, then as I go to start the vehicle all lights on dash go out and no starter action. Then if I go out and open and close hood a couple of times with a bang then the lights will come on again and when I try to start it starts? This seems to act up more so when we have damper weather. Also it doesn't do it all the time? Any suggestions on what to look for. Thanks Dw
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Monday, March 8th, 2021 AT 5:21 PM (Merged)

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