1994 Ford Explorer, 4.0L V6 - Electrical/Starting Problem

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1994 FORD EXPLORER

1994 Ford Explorer XLT, 99000 miles, 4.0L V6 - I am having a wierd electrical problem. My wife usually drives this vehicle but has been unable to drive for about a year. I have been starting it at least once a month and driving it around a bit to make sure it kept going. After a cold spell a while back, I got into it to start it and take it for a drive. I turned the key to the ON position and heard the fule pump whir as it should. However, when I turned the key to the START position, I lost all electrical power - radio, interior lights, horn, everything. The only way to restore power is disconnect the battery. I've replaced the battery just in case it had an undetected dead cell, and still the same thing. I've placed all of the fuses I can find. I'm really at a loss here. Any ideas?

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Sunday, March 11th, 2007 AT 6:39 PM

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CHEVY22

MECHANIC
1,375 POSTS

Hi
have you looked at the ignition switch yet? If you checked the battery as stated and are sure cables are not corroded this may be the issue
JIM

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Sunday, March 11th, 2007 AT 8:00 PM

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Thanks for the quick reply! The ignition switch was replaced less than two years ago, so I hope that is not the problem already. I did check the battery cables because that has happened once before. There is not corrosion, all connections are tight and they appear in good order. I did fail to mention in my earlier post that once you turn the key and everything goes dead, it stays dead until the battery is disconnected and reconnected. After that, everything appears normal again until you turn the key to the START position.

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Monday, March 12th, 2007 AT 4:00 AM

CHEVY22

MECHANIC
1,375 POSTS

Actually im thinking, the new info was helpful

so can you even start it, I guess I should ask when you turn the key to the start position to engage the starter does it engage at all

why dont we do this, its preliminary diag, check the wiring to the starter make sure thats ok, and then find the starter relay and swap it out for a known good one of the same part number in the truck, the thing that caught my attention was the position of the key and the loss and regain of power (sticking relay or starter solenoid possibly )

Jim

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Monday, March 12th, 2007 AT 7:43 AM

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