battery cable/harness 2000 Ranger

[fark]

I have a 2000 4X4 small V6 Ranger. There seems to be a problem with the positive battery cable. I will go to start it and it just clicks and all the lights go out like the battery is dead. However when I move the cable the dome light comes back on a the ringer sounds for the key in the ignition. But, when I try to start it does the same thing. Terminals and connectors are all clean. I took a bungee cord wrapped it around the cable and hooked it in the place where it worked. It starts now but I believe it needs a replacement.
How complicated is replacing the cable. It looks like it is a harness but I cannot see where it goes under the truck. Just trying to figure out how much time I am going to need to replace this part.
Oh and one other thing, is there an EASY way to put on new oil filters on this truck. It is a blind operation from the top and really hard to line up the threads to spin the filter on.
Thanks!

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[RangerX]

I've replaced the cables on my 93 and it wasn't hard. I could follow and rech everything from either under the hood or under the truck. Your 2000 maybe have more wires than my older truck, but I bet you can do it.
Battery cables are prone to corroding inside the insulating cover where you can't see it, and twisting/moving it around like you desrcibe could be enough to make contact and allow current to flow, but it does sound like time to replace it.

Don't know what the 3.0 oil filter looks like, can you reach it better from under the truck?

BTW, I moved your thread to the ranger section.

 

[fark]

Thanks, I appreciate the info. And, getting to the filter under is not possible as the exhaust runs directly underneath. There is no space for hands to reach through. I had another person say to check in the wheel well to see if there is an opening to reach the filter. Going to check that out today.
Thanks again