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1988 Ford Ranger

The truck died and I thought it was just a dead battery. Attempted to jump it and when the jumper cables were connected, they sparked and heated the jumper cables.

-Tested and charged the battery independently.

Today I tried re-installing the battery and when I touch the negative terminal to the negative nodule on the battery, the truck sounds like it's trying to start all by itself....it sounds like someone is pressing the gas and turning the key but I'm simply touching one of the terminals to the battery.

Any ideas why?? Maybe starter relay or solenoid?  

there should be a starter relay on the inner fender with the head of a screw driver.. the contacts are probably stuck closed...

try not to hit it hard enough to break it...



please NOTE where the smaller terminals are pushed on.. that one has an ***  thats the solenoid wire from the cranking position of the key... and the clutch safety switch...

if tapping it moderately hard.. does not free it up.. be sure to pull the small push on wire off the S terminal.. that should only have power on that wire when the key is turned to the crank position with your foot depressed..

i have run across a few trucks and cars that the electrical part of the ignition switch had separated.. ...

you will notice that the bottom of the ignition switch is only held on with the grip of the 2 little tabs on either end..

 

Hey Wayne,

Thanks for the tips and the photos! I'm going to pass your advice along to a friend of mine who is helping me with the truck. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again!
Katie