Explorer problem : Need help

[Tom T]

I have a problem that maybe you guys may have heard of before and may have a suggestion. I have a '97 Explorer Sport, it has been running great until the other day, I drove it about 1.5 hours one way and shut it off to go into the store for about an hour or so and when I tried to start it again it acted like it was not in park when I tried to start it and it would not engage the starter at all. The lights were bright, battery cables tight and clean, battery has a full charge. I put it in neutral and tried it, same thing. I coasted back about 3 feet and put it in park, tried to start it and nothing. Called a tow truck to have me towed in. (he blew out my front tire in the process!) At the dealership they fixed my tire and when they tried to start the explorer it took right off just like it should. They shut it off and started it back up again about 10 times and everything seemed fine. Well, I drive 1.5 hours back home and get into the driveway, shut it off and it won't crank again, just like it's not fully in park. after a couple of days of trying to start it with no luck, I pushed it out of the way and tried to start it and it started just like it should. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why this may be happening? I have been driving it since around town and it starts and runs fine but I am kind of uneasy about taking it out for a long trip till I find out what is the problem.

Thanks for any help!
Tom

 

[J. Kennedy]

F the Dealer!

Keep turning the key. You can also try whacking your starter with a broomstick. When your truck finally starts, drive it to a local reputable independent mechanic to check your starter's solenoid. Fords used to bolt it to the inner fenderwell, but that was too easy to fix. Now it is probably on the starter itself. Good luck, JK.

 

[tbomb]

is your engine by any chance a SOHC engine?

 

[Tom T]

Yes it is, 4.0 SOHC