Acts like 'dead' batt, but bat is good????

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lorentsonci@lycos.com - 07 Dec 2005 00:29 GMT

I have an older 1987 Ford Ranger , V-6, auto. With about 200K miles.
I have 'kept up' the truck, and it serves well. In the last month, I
have driven only on the weekends. Sat of this week I jump in and tried
to start. NO nothing. It did not even make a clicking sound that
sometimes ocure when a battery is low/almost dead. I connected up my
battery charger and made contact with the posts. It was then that I
heard a fast clicking sound. It came from the fender wall over by the
solenoid. on the left side . I don't reconize the part, and I am not
sure that 'it" has anything to do with the problem. But it is about
the size of a bic cig lighter and black. Would anyone have a clue
as to what it is, could it be some of my problem, I may wind up
calling my mechanic, I would like tell him , other than ,,,'it wiill
not start,or make noise. ???? Thanks in advance. cl.

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Ulysses - 07 Dec 2005 17:50 GMT

> I have an older 1987 Ford Ranger , V-6, auto. With about 200K miles.
> I have 'kept up' the truck, and it serves well. In the last month, I
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> calling my mechanic, I would like tell him , other than ,,,'it wiill
> not start,or make noise. ???? Thanks in advance. cl.

To me it sounds like a bad battery. How do you know it's good? I suggest
disconnecting it and seeing if it will take a charge. Sometimes a battery
can have an open cell and it will read fully charged with a hydrometer but
one of the cells is disconnected so you basically have a big, heavy box that
does nothing.

I would also check the cables especially the positive cable. It could be
completely corroded inside the insulation. Also check the ground connection
for the negative cable.

If all that checks out OK then start looking at the selenoid and starter
motor and possibly the ignition switch.

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Charlie Bress - 07 Dec 2005 19:50 GMT

Adding to another post, try checking the battery voltage at the battery
while someone tries to crank the engine.

That will give you a good indication of the battery condition.

If the batter is good, then repeat the procedure going from the battery neg.
terminal to the other parts of the path to the starter and also do a similar
check from the pos. terminal to the chassis ground.

Charlie

>I have an older 1987 Ford Ranger , V-6, auto. With about 200K miles.
> I have 'kept up' the truck, and it serves well. In the last month, I
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> calling my mechanic, I would like tell him , other than ,,,'it wiill
> not start,or make noise. ???? Thanks in advance. cl.

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SteveS - 12 Dec 2005 18:51 GMT

**It was then that I
heard a fast clicking sound. It came from the fender wall over by the
solenoid. on the left side . I don't reconize the part, and I am not
sure that 'it" has anything to do with the problem. But it is about
the size of a bic cig lighter and black.

Lorentso:

I'm not familiar with a '87 ranger but what you are describing and it's
location makes me think that the problem might be a bad starter relay.
It's about that size and ford usually mounts them on the fender wall.

HTH.

-Steve ('94 EB 4x4)

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