2008 Ford Ranger - Won't start, clicking/flashing dash on Key ON (Brand New Battery)
Hi everyone,
I’m having a weird electrical issue with my 2008 Ford Ranger (2WD) and could really use some expert advice.
Yesterday, I accidentally left my headlights on, and the battery was completely drained. Today, I bought and installed a brand-new battery . I made sure the terminals are tightened perfectly down.
However, the truck still won't start, and it's doing exactly what you see in the video:
- As soon as I turn the key to the ON position (before even trying to crank), the dash lights start flashing and there is a rapid, non-stop "clicking/ticking" sound coming from the fuse box/dash area.
- When I try to turn the key all the way to CRANK, absolutely nothing happens. No engine turnover at all, just the clicking.
- The factory "THEFT" (immobilizer) light is NOT flashing rapidly; it turns off normally, so I don't think it's a PATS/key programming issue.
- There is a small red aftermarket LED light on the lower left dash that flashes along with the clicking, but I don't have the remote for it.
Since the battery is 100% brand new and tight, could this be a bad main ground cable (corrosion), a stuck starter relay, or an aftermarket alarm system that got messed up and is killing the starter power due to the deep freeze/drain yesterday?
Any help or troubleshooting steps I can do in the parking lot would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!