Starter/Wiring Issue

[Bigcam93]

Hello all,

I recently purchased a 2002 Ford Ranger with a 2000 mercury mountaineer 5.0L V8 and wiring loom, basically everything in the truck is mercury mountaineer. The day after I bought it, I had to replace the starter. After replacing the starter, I went to turn the key and the dash went dead and nothing on key turn. I grounded the starter properly and found the short. The starter is wired correctly but the dash and ignition are dead. I get no dash lights or action from the vehicle after putting the key in. Kind of a bummer after buying this vehicle.

Any thoughts?

 

[J_C]

Probably a blown fuse. What was the short you found? Looking at a diagram for my 4.0L, I'd first check fuse 5 in the under hood box, though your fuse # might differ? It's the Ignition Switch/Starter Relay fuse, one of the big ~50A size fuses.