Please help. My 98 Mountainer won't start.

[ptlowe346]

Hi everyone,
I am so glad to find this forum. I am in a dire situation.
I have a 98 Mountaineer 8 cyclinder. It will not start. The battery is new. Everything works untill I turn the key to crank it. When I turn the key nothing happens. No turning over, no sounds, nothing. Sometimes it will start right up, but other times, when I turn the key, nothing.

Could it be the key anti-theft system?

Sincerly,
P

 

[2000StreetRod]

Starter No crank procedure

You may want to perform my Starter No crank procedure
It's written for my SOHC but most will be applicable to your V8.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 95-01 section. Do you have a flashing theft light? Do you have another PATS key?

 

[Turdle]

Clean the battery terminals real good and try again.

I'll dig up some more info

 

[Turdle]

Check the starter relay operation.

Easy way is to swap it with another like it.
The power distribution box is under the hood on driver side near the brake stuff

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180814

I really suggest double checking the main battery connections though. if you aren't even getting a click , start there