starting problems

[timysully]

i have a 94 explorer stock 4.0. i went mudding in it the other day and got in it next day to go back but it would not start. i changed the starter still nothing. i also noticed that whin i turned the key and nothing worked. i figured i had got a defective starter but the second one would not do anything either. i got a cylinnoied switch. didnt change anything. i hooked up a push but to the switch and it will start and run as long as the switch is pressed in, but the starter stays engaged. i have changed all the fuses in the fuse box under the hood except a black ecc fuse.

 

[vq5speed]

Check your battery cable loosen the clamp twist it back and forth then retighten it then try to start it. If you get a little crank after that you may have a bad battery.

 

[larrydd999]

If you can get the starter to turn over the battery is probably ok. Try putting the shift lever in neutral rather than park (I'm assuming an automatic transmission) and turn the key. The ignition switch may not work in 'park' but may still work in neutral. Also, when you turn the key do the instrument panel gauges work? (I'm guessing they don't.) When you say it starts and runs as long as the button (that you added) is pushed do you mean the engine actually runs as well as the starter keeps going? I would suspect that you have a bad switch or relay in the start circuit - or possibly a broken wire.

 

[natenkiki2004]

It almost sounds like the power distribution box was hooked to the wrong side of the solenoid and only gets power when the solenoid is engaged. It needs to be on the forward bolt, not the rear.