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I am no mechanic, so I figured one of you guys could get me going in the right direction. My ranger is a 2006 and this past weekend would only start every 10th or so time I turned the key. I would try over and over and eventually it would fire right up. Is this a starter problem, solenoid, wiring, or other problem? Just looking for advice..

Could be several things like you mentioned how old is the battery?

If it would turn over, could be fuel pump. If it didn't make any sound at all sounds like a connection problem. I would start at battery trace all wires check connections (loose or corrosion) Possible ignition switch if all that is good

The battery is only a couple months old, and the fuel pump was replaced a month ago. I already spent $1500 on it in the last month getting it serviced completely out, along with new fuel pump and draining axle fluid changed, so I was going to try and not spend any more money via the dealership. It stays at my shop and there was a rat in it and it could be just chewed wires, but was thinking maybe someone with more mechanical experience than me would be able to say that it sounded like something in particular. It has only done it the last week but seems to be harder to get to crank now than before.

I had the same problem....i will bet its the wire leading to the fuel pump...i could lift the seat and wiggle the wire going to the fuel pump a little and it would fire right up

sadie1 wrote:I am no mechanic, so I figured one of you guys could get me going in the right direction. My ranger is a 2006 and this past weekend would only start every 10th or so time I turned the key. I would try over and over and eventually it would fire right up. Is this a starter problem, solenoid, wiring, or other problem? Just looking for advice..

So what exactly was happening when you turned the key and it wouldn't start? Was the motor turning over? Or did nothing at all happen?

I solved my Polaris cranking problem by switching to non-ethanol gasoline.

Took about 3 fill-ups, but it's good to go, now.

kb7722 wrote:

sadie1 wrote:I am no mechanic, so I figured one of you guys could get me going in the right direction. My ranger is a 2006 and this past weekend would only start every 10th or so time I turned the key. I would try over and over and eventually it would fire right up. Is this a starter problem, solenoid, wiring, or other problem? Just looking for advice..

So what exactly was happening when you turned the key and it wouldn't start? Was the motor turning over? Or did nothing at all happen?

The fuel pump kicks on like it should.....then nothing when you turn the key to make it crank. No noise...nothing. Do it about 20 times back and forth and then it kicks right in and cranks right up

sounds like a starter or a solenoid issue.

Check & clean all electrical connections from battery to starter and tighten if necessary. If that doesn't solve the issue, then its a starter or solenoid.

Ok. Thanks for y'all's help

Looks like they beat me to it......does it do it every time you try and crank it or just after it sets say a couple hours? I would put my money on it being an electrical issue with the fuel pump if it does it every time... but if it only does it after it sets for a little while, I would think that its not holding a prime.......let us know what you find out! and good luck!

Make sure you're mashing the brake hard enough to activate the switch that keep you from cranking it in gear.

does it do absolutely nothing or do you you hear a click when you turn the key and it does nothing?

-if absolutely nothing, as flyhi said step on brake harder or check brake start switch and it's action to make sure it plunges enough to trip the switch. if not, adjust or replace.
-if you hear a click when you turn the key and the starter has made no odd noises lately, solenoid (or relay if applicable)...if you've heard an odd noise while starter turning (minor binding or clunking) it could be time to clean the starter brushes, or time to replace them (assuming that all connections are clean and tight from key switch to solenoid to battery to starter).

good luck, they can be a pita to track down

It doesn't have anything to do with the brake,I assume, because I never change my foot position as I am trying to crank it. I don't think it's the fuel pump wiring because when u turn the key to the halfway point the fuel pump chatters for a second filling it up. When u turn the key the second half, it doesn't even try to turn over. After numerous tries it will turn over and cranks right up.