I cant figure out how to change my windshield wiper blades on 2001 ford ranger

You do not. The arms and blades are replaced as a unit. This will ensure that the tension on blade is correct.

https://owner.ford.com/support/how-tos/vehicle-care/wipers/how-to-replace-windshield-wipers.html

Video says almost all (ranger/explorer similar)...
How To Install Replace Windshield Wiper Blades and Arms Ford Explorer...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-tR49oL1FQ

Just guessing, but sounds like the rod that connect the wiper motor to the wipers has broken or the just a clip came off the wiper arm. You can see the wiper arm through the cal panel in front of the windshield. If not, the cal panel will have to be taken off to get to it. Good luck.

Try replacing relay for wiper with another same relay from fuse block from another working accessory.Had same issue on friends Ford Ranger. Moved relays and cleaned harness connection at fuse block. Works fine.

why do you think the motor still works if the wipers don't move? Can you hear the motor run or can you see a little movement when you turn the switch on?

What happens when you activate the washers?

go to a salvage yard that allows you to remove the parts yourself. Then you can see how the motor and linkage assembly comes out.


don't have 1983 info, but here is 1994:

Section 01-16A: Wiper and Washer System, Ranger/Explorer 1994 Ranger and Explorer Vehicles Workshop Manual
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Windshield Wiper System, Ranger/Explorer The windshield wipers are actuated by a permanent magnet, rotary-type electric windshield wiper motor (17504) . The two windshield wiper pivot arms (17526) and windshield wiper blades (17528) are mounted on a pivot shaft, one at each side of the windshield. The windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft (17566) are connected to the motor by windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip (17531) . Ranger and Explorer vehicles are equipped with an interval wiper and washer (IWW) system featuring a lever-type turn signal and windshield wiper switch (13K359) mounted on the steering column. The IWW windshield wiper governor (17C476) uses a relay contact to control current to the windshield wiper motor . The governor electronic circuitry controls the contact to supply current to windshield wiper motor . A rear wiper/washer system is available on Explorer vehicles. The rear window wiper system consists of a windshield wiper motor mounted inside the liftgate (40010) , an articulating windshield wiper pivot arm and windshield wiper blade , a windshield wiper/washer switch (17A553) and an inline circuit breaker. The front electric windshield washer system consists of a control switch, integral with the turn signal, a windshield washer reservoir (17618) and windshield wiper motor and the necessary windshield washer hoses (17A605) , windshield washer nozzle jet and brackets (17603) and attaching parts.
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Pivot Shafts and Linkage Removal and Installation
NOTE: The left and right pivot and windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip assemblies are serviced separately.

1. Perform Steps 1 through 9 of Windshield Wiper Motor Removal as described in this section.

1. If servicing left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip , remove left windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade assembly.

1. Remove left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip access cover.

1. Remove left pivot nut, lower windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip and slide it out through left access opening. For installation, follow removal procedures in reverse order. Tighten nut to 10-13 Nm (7-10 ft-lb). Make sure the clip is fully seated in the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip . Do not try to install clip with windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip on motor crank pin.
   

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Windshield Wiper Motor Windshield wiper motor are not serviceable. If worn or damaged, the windshield wiper motor must be replaced as an assembly. Removal

1. Cycle windshield wiper blades until in straight-up position and turn ignition switch OFF.

1. Disconnect battery and wiper motor electrical connector.

1. Remove the right windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade .

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).

1. Remove the right pivot nut and allow the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip to drop into the cowl top outer panel .

1. Remove the linkage access cover, located on the right side of the dash panel near the windshield wiper motor.

1. Reach through the access cover opening and unsnap the wiper motor clip.

1. Push the clip away from the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip until it clears the nib on the crack pin. Then, push the clip off the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip.

1. Remove the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip from windshield wiper motor crank pin.

1. Remove nut and ground strap.

1. Remove three attaching nuts from windshield wiper motor. Remove the windshield wiper motor .

Installation

1. Position the windshield wiper motor and install the three attaching screws. Tighten to 13.6-19.0 Nm (10-14 ft-lb).

1. Install nut and ground strap.

1. Connect wiper motor electrical connector.

1. Install clip completely onto right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip. Make sure the clip is fully seated. Do not put the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip on the motor crank pin and then try to install the clip.

1. Install the left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the wiper motor crank pin.

1. Install the right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the wiper motor crank pin. Pull the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the crank pin until it snaps into place. The clip is properly installed if the nib is protruding through the center of the clip.

1. Install the right windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and nut. Tighten the nut to 9.5-12.5 Nm (84-110 in-lb). NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles or more to relearn the strategy.
   

1. Connect the battery ground cable and turn the ignition switch on. Turn turn signal and windshield wiper switch off so windshield wiper motor will park, then turn ignition switch off. Replace right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip access cover.

1. Install the windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade assemblies on the pivot shafts to dimension X. Dimension X is the distance between the centerline of the blade saddle and the top edge of the cowl top outer panel grille. The value of Dimension X for each vehicle is given in the Dimension X chart in the Specifications portion of this section.

1. Test the system.

This is a fairly simple job.
#1 Pull the wiper arm away from the vehicle.
#2 Turn the blade 90 degrees so that the blade and the arm make a 'capital T' shape.
#3 Pull the blade straight off of the arm.
#4 Install the new wiper blade so that it forms a ' T ' with the arm.
#5 Turn the blade back to the normal position in line with the arm.
#6 Ease the wiper arm and blade back against the windshield.
#7 You are done. Good luck

You don't have to put the wipers in an upright position You can take the arms completely off. It's very easy to do, when you are looking at the base of the wiper arm, on the side closest to the windshield, at the base, there is a spring-loaded tab. Lift the arm on its hinge to where the arm is now pointing away from the windshield, pull the tab and the wiper arm will slide right off. Now you can access the linkage joints easily. Hope that helps!

On the blade there is a little tab that you have to push in then the old blade will slide off. If you buy your blade at a major parts store they should help you.

WOW that is strange. Get your self a test light or a cheap multimeter. Take the + wire off at the wiper motor and check if you have voltage / power. If you do then the problem is with the wiper motor if you don't it is the wiring or the switch. I know, not a complete solution but it cuts your problem in half :)

Good Luck

Are trying to remove the blade or the arms?

The arms are released by holding the wiper blade fully extended away from the winshield and wiggle the arms off.

The blades are removed by a little tab where the blade hooks to the arm,using a small screwdriver push down on tab,and slide blade off arm but do not let arm slap windshield as it could crack it,I have seen people pull and the blades suddenly come off and the arm slaps down,yor can put a towel or cloth down where the arm sits against the windshield to prevent the possibilty of the arm slapping down.