ranger has new battery but just clicks when I try to start it, battery light on.

Thanks for your help, I checked and cleaned all the connections like you said. I checked the voltage on the battery and at the solenoid and they were both at 12. The voltage gauge on the truck was still high and would climb higher if the rpms were higher. I tried to start it this morning and it just clicked like before, so I had to jump it. I hooked the voltage gauge up, tried to start it and the volts dropped down around 8 or so. I came back to work on it tonight, got it turned the key and it fired right up. So there is something wrong but im not sure what, I think it could be a short somewhere but not sure where. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Bad CELL in battery! Replace the battery and problem solved. Your voltage drop down to 8 when it 'clicked VS. later when it 'started right up , is classic case. I know you said the battery is new , that just means you might have a difficult time returning it and they 'test' it and the tester says it's good. Let them know what the symptoms were and what the voltage measurements were (especially the 8 volts , and then later, it fired right up). Either way , thanks to your work , you got your answer. Reply and tell me I'm an idiot , if I'm wrong!

Thank you for all your help, I went back through all the connections and that fixed it. I must have missed one the first time. But thanks again

DETERMINATION PAYS OFF!!!