1986 Ford Ranger electrical problems (PLEASE HELP)?

Question

I have a 1986 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2.9, V6. I tried starting it, and it acted like it was going to start, then COMPLETELY lost ALL power. I had the battery tested, which ended up being "good."

I realize that it could be a wiring problem. But, is there anything else it could be?

What is the least costly way to troubleshoot this? Do you know of any good sites, or advice to give me?

I greatly appreciate it. I am a single mother, and need a vehicle.

Thanks, Shannon

Shannon
About Me
Member since: December 20, 2005
Best Answers:
Points earned this week:
Total points: 303 (Level 2)

1986 Ford Ranger electrical problems (PLEASE HELP)?

I have a 1986 Ford Ranger 4x4, 2.9, V6. I tried starting it, and it acted like it was going to start, then COMPLETELY lost ALL power. I had the battery tested, which ended up being "good."

I realize that it could be a wiring problem. But, is there anything else it could be?

What is the least costly way to troubleshoot this? Do you know of any good sites, or advice to give me?

I greatly appreciate it. I am a single mother, and need a vehicle.

Thanks, Shannon
I lost COMPLETE power. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING works.

Asfor checking the alternator? No, I haven't hadany resont to, until now.

How did I have the battery tested? Auto Zone does free testing.

Other symptoms? About a month ago, I noticed the cruise control, cigarette lighter, and horn didn't work.They are all ran by the same fuse. Fixed that, nadda

I lost COMPLETE power. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING works.

Asfor checking the alternator? No, I haven't hadany resont to, until now.

How did I have the battery tested? Auto Zone does free testing.

Other symptoms? About a month ago, I noticed the cruise control, cigarette lighter, and horn didn't work.They are all ran by the same fuse. Fixed that, and haven't had the problem since. Now this.

Answer 1

You never said to what extent you "lost power"....

Does everything on the dash work? Only somethings? Need more information and describe what it is doing

I am asking because it could be a few things.. if everything is ok on the dash, it may be a starter or the solenoid... If everything is out, it could be a battery cable, terminal, or even the ignition switch (which ford had issues with .. and I'm not talking about where you put your key in either)

But you need to give more info to go by..sorry

Answer 2

Sounds like the alternator, but if that were it, your Alternator or Battery Light should have come on on the dash while you were driving. You can quick test the alternator by testing the battery when it has just been jump charged for a few minutes with a VOM (I have gotten 12.5 and 13.2 volts on good batteries), then start the car and take the voltage while the alternator is supposed to be recharging the battery after starting (like, fast). It should read a volt or two higher than the battery reading, as a good alternator will pump up the voltage to get the juice into the battery. If there is no change (and remember that once the battery is fully charged after a few minutes, the voltage will drop to just battery voltage, too), you know it's the alternator. The Chevy alternators used to have a little hole in the case to insert a straightened paper clip into that led into the brush holder, to hold the brushes retracted while you put the alternator back together, then you just pulled the paper clip out. I don't know how Ford does it. Hope you get it!

Answer 3

HIGH SHARON I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU ON YOUR CAR. HAVE YOU HAD THE ALTERNATOR CHECKED? ALSO THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. WHEN I WAS OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL I WORKED AT A GARAGE. DEPENDING WHERE YOU LIVE MAYBE I CAN LOOK AT IT OR REFER YOU TO MANY HONEST MECHANICS. THE BEST PLACE TO REACH ME IS [e-mail]. Sincerely Dave G.

Answer 4

Ford Ranger Electrical Problems

Answer 5

Please disregard the "advice" of the first and third posters. If you've lost ALL power, then the most likely problem is a poor connection at either the battery positive or ground cables. Make sure the connections are clean and tight, and don't forget to look at the ground where it attaches to the engine block. In a 20 year old vehicle, it's entirely possible that the cables themselves are junk. Just because they look good on the outside doesn't mean they're good on the inside.

Has there been any work done on the vehicle recently? Have you had any other problems with it recently. very seldom does something like this just crop up? Normally there are indicators that something is going away long before it does.

Beyond that, I simply don't have enough info to work with. E-mail me if you so desire.

Answer 6

I'm not a Ford man but sounds like you need to replace the ICM!
Typical symptoms!

Answer 7

you have a total loss of power? you have no lights, no horn , nod no raido plus the thing won't start right?

If you do you have a blown fusible link from the Starter Solenoid to the ingintion switch. The battery can be brand new but if you are not getting power from the battery to the switch nothing is gonna happen.

Find the Starter Solenoid ( shouls
d be attached to the inner fender under the hood near the Battery
and look for a burnt wire, or a wire that feels like somethe is broken inside. if you find one that is your problem if not check fow power at the ignition switch under the dash.

Answer 8

If you are sure that the battery is good then make sure that the battery post, and cables are clean, and cables are tight. Then if nothing works, not even the lights, then it is probably a fuse. If the lights are working then it sounds like the starter or solenoid switch. Dons auto service is wrong, when you turn the key to start, if you hear a click what you hear clicking is the solenoid switch,( sometimes called starter relay) this means that the solenoid is working and the starter is bad. If you do not hear a click then the solenoid is bad.

Answer 9

Depends.....How did you have the battery tested?
If you used a volt meter on the battery posts, probably not acurate.

Most of the time, even on my wifes van, corrosion builds up inside the battery terminal at battery post.

You need to remove the terminals from the battery posts and scrape out all the crusty stuff untill its shiny. Do the same with the posts too.

Then try starting it again.

If that doesn't work, it hasn't cost you anything but a little time.

Answer 10

you lost everything lights radio and all. if this is the case check your cables and make sure theyre tight and above all clean. also some rangers has a main fuse that controls everything you might want to check this also. and it also carrys a fuse for just the ignition.