Clicks but starter don't engauge.

Bad battery connection,bad starter,low battery charge.

Do headlights dim/go out when engauging the starter?

If so,battery is low on charge.

How about corroded battery cables (internal)

Fusible Link wiring corroded & open circuit,does
everything electrical work except the starting circuit?

Turn key & have power to starter solenoid ?
Neutral Switch !
Ignition Switch !

Tough to guess without wiring diagrams,
to see where to start testing

Can't fix what you don't know you have

was the 20 amp Ignition Switch Fuse that is tripping ????

My guess (without checking the circuit) would be the starter....perhaps it's drawing over 20 amps to spin. Again, just a guess.

The way I understand it, the key transcoder sends a "go/no go" signal to the PATS system that is located in the PCM (firewall on passenger side). The PCM then allows the coils to fire the plugs, and for the starter to engauge.

If someone does not chime in earlier, I'll check and post for you tonight.

You don't assume anything

You recall how old things are & then test
the easiest & most likely items

Battery
Cables
Starter Solenoid

Test battery, and check for loose connections. Check starter fuse & relay. If you don't hear clicking sounds while trying to start the car then most likely it's a bad starter relay. If your getting voltage to the starter but no click then you have bad starter.

Clicking noise usually means a bad connection at the battery terminal. It can also be a bad connection at the starter or solenoid.
Re-clean and tighten battery cables,and if that doesn't do it,re-tighten starter connections.Don't overtighten as copper-bronze studs can break easily.If your Ranger is standard shift (4 or 5-speed), don't get under the car or in front of it without the battery cables disconnectede or the shifter in neutral,as any current you inadvertently send thru the starter can engage it and run you over or knock the vehicle off jackstands or blocks. don-ohio

You can try crossing a screwdriver on the starter solinoid between the big stud and the little one if it doesent engauge then the starter is bad.

Is it one click or multiple clicks. If it's multiple clicks, it sounds like a dead battery. Voltage isn't always an indicator of a good battery, you need to have enough cranking amps to be able to start an engine also. If you have dash lights and it only clicks once, you could have a bad starter. An easy way to check this is to try and jump start the vehicle. If it starts up with a jump start, you need a new battery. If it still doesn't start up and it just clicks, you probably need a new starter.

Good Luck!
~Brandon

Sounds

The click, click, click you are hearing when you turn your key is the starter solinoid attempting to engauge but because the battery is dead it will not engauge. Charge the battery then start the car and check the voltage to the battery. It should be between 13.5 vdc and 14.5 vdc. If it is not, the alternator is bad. If the voltage is between the above mentioned values and the battery goes dead again it is a bad battery.