thanks j_c, i have a no crank, no start situation.
i had the transmission replaced and had shifter problems since - after driving around for a bit, i would stop and couldn't get it into park... then i couldn't get it into reverse! i thought maybe the shift cable had been disconnected, but it was still on. i snapped the cable off the selector on the tranny, manually pushed it all the way into park, then re-attached and i could drive again (for short distance), then same problem. i've replaced the shifter and shift cable... no change. so i drove it to a mechanic (that was recommended by a transmission place), told him the whole story, and had a pretty bad experience. in the end, after 3 weeks, they couldn't even start the thing (i brought it there to have the shifting looked at), so i towed it back to my house - now trying to get it started so i can take it to another mechanic!!
so - i suspect they messed up the dtr/park/neutral protection switch, but trying to trace the electrical going to that. checked the fuse 11 and starter relay in the battery junction box (under the hood) - fuse is not blown, apply 9volts to relay and it clicks over. but if i have someone turn the key with my finger on the relay, its not clicking. (put a meter on it to dbl check and nothing's getting there).
according to the attached wiring, the wiring goes from that fuse 11 to ignition switch, then to the fuse 29 in the fuse box by the park brake...so, i didn't think there would be any power to that fuse (though its not 29 like the diagram says, its 8) until key was turned?
totally open to suggestions! gonna look for an updated diagram, here's what i got (from haynes manual for explorer 02-10):
