My 2000 4cylinder ranger acts like the battery is completely dead but then miraculously starts right up. Battery terminal clean and I can jump across the starter and it cranks like crazy but won't run. When this happens I lose all dash lights and door buzzer.
it left me stranded last night so I pushed it on a trailer. This morning it started right up.
Any ideas?

 

Ignition switch under the steering column would be my next stop.

Does the key feel at all loose or tight when you turn it on and to START?

Ignition switch is a slide switch, when you turn the key a rod in the steering column slides this switch into its 4 positions, ACC, OFF, RUN, START
If slide doesn't get into correct position then no power is going to dash or starter motor to activate it

Video on ignition switch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3I2oye8OpQ

There is just one 50amp fuse, in engine fuse box, that feeds power to the ignition switch, if it was blown then power would not "come back on"

There should be a smaller wire on battery positive that runs to the engine fuse box, maybe to a 175amp fuse on outside of this box, that is the wire that powers that fuse box when engine is off, alternator powers it after engine starts, so make sure that wire is in good condition