new at the forum, have a 94 ranger xlt, been sitting around for about a year. i went to start it and getting alot of clicking from solenoid. but a new one, now when i start it, everything goes dead. unhook battery, hook back up, start it, does it again. not much of a mechanic, so need help. thank you.

 

Hi Peter,
As you know, we can throw all kinds of suggestions out there, but before trying that can you fill us in a bit?
Where was the vehicle stored, inside, outside, exposed to the weather, place where you might have adopted some tenants (mice) etc.
Gasoline has a tendency to go stale after a short period and if with some ethanol goes stale faster. Have you tried adding some good gasoline to make starting and running easier?
We don't know at this point if the problem is electrical or fuel related .
Just for starters,
make sure the battery cables are clean and make good connection with the battery posts AND the engine . If the vehicle ran OK when it was parked it shouldn't be anything serious. If you adopted some tenants they have a tendency to make a home in the air filter assy. Check that and make sure the engine can get the air it needs to run.

 

thanks for writing back, hanky. it has been sitting outside, uncovered. i notice that a little smoke came from negative wire on post. got a little burning smell.i am taking starter out, to see if it can be tested, tomorrow.at the beginning it turned over just a hair, then it would not do it again.