# Starting up issue

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-up-issue/23669>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** batteries, start, lights\
**Created:** [December 20, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-up-issue/23669 "2008-12-20T22:50:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rob\_rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@rob\_rogers](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rob_rogers)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-up-issue/23669/1 "2008-12-20T22:50:58Z")

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I’ve got a 2001 Ford Ranger. It seemed to be running fine. I turned the key to start it,realized the dash lights were very dim, and the engine wouldn’t crank…dead silence, no clicks or any other noise. I cleaned the battery terminals, then we tried to jump start it, but still nothing. I replaced the battery, but the dash lights are still very dim, and still no attempt to turn the engine, clicks etc. One odd thing I noticed is this: if the key is in the ignition, and the door is open, the bell will ding several times, then pause and a click will sound under the dash board, then that sequence will repeat. The click comes from a black plastic ‘box’ thats located in the middle under the dash. I don’t know if that matters or not. Any help appreciated!

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**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 8:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-up-issue/23669/2 "2008-12-21T08:35:42Z")

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Have You Check The Other Ends Of The Battery Cables?

The new battery is fully charged, right? Try inspecting and /or cleaning the cable end connections that aren’t the battery ends. Did you try jumping from your negative battery terminal to a clean spot on the engine? Next try grounding to the truck’s body (unpainted, under-hood spot). Maybe a ground wire or ground strap has gone south. Your jumper cable will act as a temporary replacement cable.

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**Author:** ![rob\_rogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@rob\_rogers](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rob_rogers)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2008, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/starting-up-issue/23669/3 "2008-12-21T12:09:53Z")

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Thanks for the tips, Common Sense. We’ll give them a try. I didn’t think to check the new battery charge and wouldn’t have thought about using the jumper cable as a temp. Could it be a stuck solenoid or starter motor? Just looking for other things to check once we get out there. Thanks.