Good afternoon folks. I hope your holiday is going well.
Went out this morning to make a short trip and nothing..as in turned the key on, all the instrument lights came on but not a sound from the engine. Battery is good but not even a click when the key is turned. Tried starting in park and in neutral with no luck. Wanted to try tapping the starter but how can I get to it? Any ideas? Didn't see anything in the stickies section.

Thanks for any replies and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Robert

 

How do you KNOW that the battery is good? A 12 volt reading when not under load doesn't tell much. Did you try jump-starting from a running vehicle? Did you measure voltage across the battery terminals when trying to crank 10 seconds?

Typically, if connections are good and clean, then 85% bad battery, 10% bad electrical part of switch or neutral safety switch, only 5% bad starter. But check it out first !!!

See FAQ #28 at marksalem.com

 

I think these utes have issues with worn out /faulty ignition switches. Something to look at after getting the battery properly tested.

 

His 1996 B3000 is USA, so a Ford Ranger in reality. Not a Japanese-made B-series as were 1993 and earlier here which were known for ignition switches that went bad over time.

 

Thanks for the replies. I didn't mention that I called a tow truck and he tried to jump the truck with no luck. I haven't had the battery checked out. Will do that tomorrow.

 

When tow truck guy did this: did the starter spin the engine and it just wouldn't start, or did the starter fail to spin the engine ???

At least you didn't post "she won't turn over" - that's a sex question !!!

 

Lol. It didn't do anything. No click, no whine, nothing. Thats why I thought it was the battery until the tow guy jumped. I bought a battery from Costco and put it in and it did the same thing so I took the battery back. I was in the Costco parking lot.

 

After letting it sit for awhile, it was the starter. Thanks for the replies.

 

Why do they go bad and how can you tell if its been changed for a better switch?

 

The electrical contacts go bad with time and usage.