Questions and Answers

Ford Ranger Has No Juice Q. Here's the problem. Got in my 1986 Ford Ranger one morning, tried to crank it, and zip happened. It was working normally the night before and I had no warning that anything was wrong. Originally we thought that the battery was dead due to the complete lack of power to any systems after I turned the ignition.

After a few minutes, power returned, but still wouldn't start. (lost power again as soon as the key was turned). We tried jumping it which worked perfectly, but lasted only two days. We tried bridging the solenoid, but it didn't do anything. Power doesn't fade out, it completely dies, so its not the alternator.

There's power getting to the lights, door buzzer, etc. But as soon as the key is turned, dead. After "?" amount of time, power returns without any outside influence. There's no strange noises, no hesitation when starting, no anything. If its a wiring problem, why does it only kill power when the ignition is turned? Please tell me you have an answer.

Thank you!

A. Yes, I do have an answer. Okay, NEXT!! Oh wait, you actually want to hear the answer? Well, okay.

It sounds to me like your battery has gone to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I would have the charging system checked and the battery load tested. I'm sure that while the alternator may be working, the battery is no longer capable of holding the charge.