2005 Ford Ranger Electrical issue? Battery light comes on and gauges stop working and the truck starts sputtering then dies. After that I try to start it and the battery is dead.

Sputtering is usually a sign of having a fuel issue. You need to hook a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail and confirm that you have at least 40# of pressure at the rail.

It sounds like a clogged fuel filter

you need to do a battery load test to see if battery is good check to see if alternator is charging if that all checks out good i would look for a loose or corrected ground cable from battery to engine or frame to engine sounds like a ground issue to me or loose connection

Temp. sencer

Your alternator is going bad

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My name is Bruce

I think that you need to be more specific when you say that you have changed everything... Because i'm sure that there is MUCH more that has to do with this problem then you may think.... Has the fuel pump fuel pump float pressure regulator and filter been changed out. Also has the crank sensor been changed out. What you the cam sensor?

http://www.aa1car.com/ hope this helps

I am having the same exact issue right now with my 01 Alero. Been having electrical issues with lights coming on and off. ABS was kicking on a few times even. It started sputtering like it was running out of gas, thought that might have been the case. But after I put gas in it it still didn't start. Now it turns over but nothing. What ended up being wrong with yours?

I had this same issue. There is an inertia switch located below glove box. Mine went bad. Here is what I wrote to another person with the similar problem:

I have a 2005 Ranger Edge. I had the same problem. I did two things. First I replaced the fuel pump and it worked again for about 2 months. Then it stopped working again so I replaced the inertia switch with a new one from the Ford Dealership. It worked again for about a month. Than it stopped again, so I replaced the wiring that goes from the inertia switch to the main box on the bottom right passenger side. I also put the inertia switch inside the casing on the lower right so it couldn't be kicked. It has been working for 2 weeks now. I hope nothing else happens.

On another note, I had another electrical problem. My speedometer cluster stopped working and my mechanic found loose wires rubbing against metal on the inside. I think the electrical components on these Ford Rangers are just cheaply made. That is the only thing to check for you now. If it isn't the fuel pump or the inertia switch, just check all the wiring from fuel pump to inertia switch to make sure it is all done correctly. Also check all fuses for fuel pump/inertia switches.

Sometimes I say I and mean a mechanic, I am not a car expert, but would like to be.

Most vehicles if you get the car running and unhook the positive battery cable it will stay running that is because it is running off the alternator. if it dies like your talking about I would most definitely say your alternator needs to be replaced. Most likely when you jumped your father in laws pick up there was a bad ground somewhere and your alternator got a surge of electricity and it fried it. Hope this helps.