Ford ranger wont start and wont jump - What's wrong?

Question

We bought another car over a year ago and never drive the ranger. It was just sitting for months. Now it wont start - The battery isnt dead, but its pretty darned weak. Lights barely go on. But we used the jumper thing that you can buy and charge - and it wont jump. The car was being used often the last time we used it - roughly a year and a half ago. So I am stumped.

How can the alternator be dead if it wasn't used and it was fine (perfectly fine) before?

What could be this problem?

Answer 1

Charge that old battery first and do a load test it will tell you how bad that battery is. Sound's  like a new battery should fix the problem.

Answer 2

It's the BATTERY. Yes, you said it's not dead but it's pretty weak. It's too weak to get it to jump and your right it's not the alternator. All the alternator does is recharges the battery but how can it recharge something that doesn't even have a charge. Even if the alternator were dead you can still start a vehicle up just on straight battery alone.  It's not anything else except the battery. If you jump a vehicle and it's nothing happens it's due to a dead battery. You've actually already answered your own question. Best of luck!

Answer 3

A dead cell can cause a battery to be too weak to start the car and wpn't take a boost.

Answer 4

More like the battery is  down or the battery cables need to be cleaned... you try charging over night you could try another battery  more than likey its not the alternator but the battery you can get a battery charger for like 20 bucks at wal marts and or jumper cables about the same but jumping a dead battery sometimes take a while to charged up the dead one and if the other cars battery is the same you could try that

Answer 5

It's possible that the battery is so worn down that it just won't go. Since the lights are on dim, I'd give that a 50/50. Your jumper could be low on juice too. Make sure there is no corrosion on the battery terminals. If you don't have the right tools, mix some baking soda and water and pour that over the corrosion or use a Coke if no baking soda. Borrow some jumping cables and try jumping it from another car and if that won't work. It could be the starter. Tap the starter with a hammer a few times and try again. If that fixes it then carry a hammer with you until you get the starter replaced. If not...?