1984 Ford Ranger

Terminator0765 · 10-14-2007, 06:53 PM

Back in December '06, we sold our home and I put the Ranger in storage due to the fact that we were moving into an Apartment complex and I had no room to park the Ranger.
I did not start the Ranger for over six (6) Months.
Late this Summer, I decided to go ahead and start the Ranger up. However, I was unable to do so due to the fact that the battery was dead.
After recharging the battery, still nothing.
We changed the Battery and when we were in the process of connecting the terminal with the Post on the battery, there were sparks immediately. Furthermore, the area where the Cylenoid is began to smoke. This happened without us even attempting to start the truck at the time.
Needless to say, we did not proceed with hooking up the Battery and have done nothing ever since.
The help I was getting at the time said that there was an electrical short somewhere. However, they did not specify where.
Has anyone experienced something like this? If so, what was the problem and ultimately what was the solution?
Please advise. I want to drive my Ranger again so badly!

jonmark1985 · 10-14-2007, 07:25 PM

Check the resistance across the larger terminals of your solenoid, should be ∞.

Terminator0765 · 10-16-2007, 07:08 PM

Jonmark - Can you be a bit more specific?

I'm not much of a mechanic. Can you please tell me step by step as what I need to do?

Thanks,

jonmark1985 · 10-16-2007, 07:24 PM

Take a mutlimeter and run across the 2 larger terminals of the starter solenoid. It should read infinity. If not then your starter solenoid is sticking in the "on" posistion.

If it does read infinity make a note of the location of all the wires on the solenoid. Remove the wires. Then hook the battery and starter wires. Add your remaining wires on one at a time and use your multimeter to detect a a voltage drop at the battery. All should be a small drop, if you note a large drop remove the wire or battery cable immediatly. This is the wire with your short.

Terminator0765 · 10-16-2007, 09:09 PM

Thanks Jon, I'll give it a shot next week while I'm on vacation.

Wish me luck.

I'll let you know of the outcome, if it doesn't blow up on my face. (Kidding).

jonmark1985 · 10-17-2007, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terminator0765

if it doesn't blow up on my face. (Kidding).

Well be careful anyways!