This is a '93 Ranger with the 2.3L 4 cyl engine- the ignition lock and the starter solenoid were both replaced but it still won't start. The starter solenoid makes a "clunk" sound, it doesn't make the "tick-tick-tick" sound like a dead battery, it has plenty of juice in the battery. Any suggestions, or how do I trouble-shoot the ignition at this point? Thanks for your help.

 

Do you mean the starter solenoid that is on the starter or the starter relay on the fender is making the clunk sound? If you are talking about the solenoid on the starter I would take the starter to a local parts place like Napa or Advance to get it tested.

I have a 95 mazda 2.3 and every now and then when I try to start it the starter relay on the fender will make one loud click and not start. After a couple more tries it will start with no problems. I am leaning towards the relay on the fender or possible ignition switch. My starter is only 4 months old and the battery is fine.

The first thing I did was check and clean all of the cables and connections from the battery to the relay to the starter. It still does it once in a while and it is hard to trace when it works most of the time.

 

We replaced the starter relay on the fender, and the ignition lock cylinder. We cleaned the battery terminals and tested the battery, which tested as a good battery. We haven't gotten down to the starter or the starter solenoid. There's no easy way to check the starter without removing it, is there?

 

To test the starter, you could just use a jumper cable directly from the battery's +, touched to the starter's cable mount lug. If it spins, your problems are upstream. Does sound like the starter is kaput, tho.

 

I'm thinking a bad cable or connection since the solenoid engages and holds.

 

I agree with ken, check the battery cables.

 

How do I know that the solenoid is engaging and holding?

 

I had the same problem-it was the red(small) wire at the starter sol.
I would take it off and put it back on and the truck would start.I replaced the end with a better connector and the problem went away.good luck

 

It must have been the starter, we banged on the side of it and it finally started. Thanks for all the tips.

 

If it is the starter, which it seems to be the case, you may want to look into replacing the pick-up brushes on the inside. A rebuild kit is cheaper than a new starter.