What does the starter look like on a 1997 ford ranger?

The starter on a 1997 Ford Ranger is a relatively standard-looking automotive starter motor. It's generally a cylindrical unit, several inches in length and diameter, with several large wires attached. It will likely be made of cast metal (likely aluminum or steel) and painted black. There will be a large nut on one end where the drive gear engages the flywheel, and other smaller terminals for the power and control wires.

However, you won't be able to identify it solely from a picture without specific location context, because the appearance isn't drastically different from starters in other vehicles. To visually identify it, you need to know where to look on the engine. It's usually located on the passenger side (right side) of the engine block, near the bell housing (where the transmission connects to the engine), but its exact position can vary slightly depending on the engine size (2.3L, 3.0L, or 4.0L).

To be certain, use a repair manual or online diagrams specific to your 1997 Ford Ranger's engine to locate the starter. Searching for "[Your Engine Size] Ford Ranger Starter Location" on the internet will likely yield helpful images.