I took my moms explorer a few years ago, got it running pretty well ( she told me it was overheating and she didnt know why. I guess the large puddles of anti freeze the water pump was spitting out wasnt a clue.) Now ive got a new problem and the ford forum got me nothing so im hoping some one here knows what my problem is or can tell me how to test my system in a very simple language, i have the service manual but i couldnt figure out how to test it.

occasionally when my explorer would start the key would stay in the start position and would not go back in to the run position causing the battery gauge to be very low, the engine sputtered and the rear anti lock light would come on. I would turn the key to the run position and every thing would be fine. The other day same thing but when the key went to the run position the battery stayed low, sputtered and died. This happened a few times. Finally giving it gas it would stay on. Later the same day it started with the same problem, (low gauge, engine sputtering) but the gauge creeped up and the sputtering stopped with out giving it gas. Now it wont start. Ive checked battery and starter. A friend said it sounds like an ignition power problem. How do i check that? What else could it be? Im sorry if this is hard to understand, its hard to explain. Thanks for any help guy.

when you say you checked the battery whats your readings on it and have to checked it while someone trys to start it?  how do the cables look?  how do the terminals on the battery,alternator and starter look?  Have you checked the cables to see if they have any bad spots with or without missing coating? 

What joshr08 is saying is have the battery load tested. You could have a dead cell

  exactly

People come on! First things first. Does it turn over? "It doesn't start" is pretty general. There are problems that cause a no-start/run condition, and then there are problems which result in the engine not turning over. A battery is one of the latter. If the motor turns over then screw the battery, check Fuel, Compression, and Ignition. For the ignition your just checking the quality of spark. Timing will come later once all of the simplest possibilities are eliminated. As for the key, you lost me with the whole " stay in start...a low battery gauge" bit. You do turn the key back from start manually right?

Yeah, I agree with ke7syv in that the description is a bit vague and I don't quite get the stay in start...a low battery gauge part either.  figure out the simple things first like spark and maybe have the ignition control module checked, that can cause all kinds of crazy things to happen in fords.

Sounds to me like you wore-out your ignition switch.

I know exactly what your problem is!!!!!!!!!!!!!




























































It's circled neatly on the grill.

I would first start with the battery check. even when you go to kragens or autozone  and they say it's fine it sometimes is not. Next check battery cables and alternator. Those are the generals. I does not sound like spark plug for what you explained. More likely if all those are fine, then it's the Ignition Switch (like Bill stated).

actually terry its not circled, its more of an oval , and msot jags have SOME ford heritage 

Quote from: cafeboy on March 27, 2009, 02:55:26 PM
What joshr08 is saying is have the battery load tested. You could have a dead cell

every solution usually on an auto/bike starts with teh KGB ( known good battery), then if all else fails moves on to everybodys mexican friend manual

Hey social, how many miles are on that exploder?

oh yeah and if your battery light is on while the truck is running the most likely culprit is the alternator, the battery light means there is a problem in the charging system and that is normally the alternator/voltage regulator.  That means your battery could also be weak because the alternator isn't doing its job.  you can have the battery, alternator, and ignition control modules checked at your local parts store.  If your key just doesn't like to turn then you could have worn out the ignition switch like bill stated. 

Without a clearer description of what actually happens its impossible to say, maybe you could take a video of the dash panel when trying to start it/running.  Then show what you mean with the key.  That would probably help a lot of us wrap our heads around what is going on.

those older ford ignitions...are not teh best in quality btw lol, i know this ive had afew

Hey guys thanks for all the responses your much more helpfull then the ford forum.

Like i said in op its hard to explain the problem. Ill have to have a friend check my battery better (electrical not my thing) I didnt think alt. so ill be sure to check that but my battery cables probably should be replaced. Now with your responses im even more positive its in the ignition sys.

Ke7syv when the problem started the engine would turn over and start but the engine would sputter and the battery gauge (not light) would point to a low mark on the face of the gauge then the engine would rev normally and the gauge would rise to the correct area. Now that its been sitting for a short time it wont start. Lights come on i hear starter then nothing.

Natedawg120 i didnt notice the battery light just the gauge being low

Yamahonkawazuki Its got 105831 miles i think thats low for california.

pulled out the ignition switch and want to know if this is normal. 2nd from right connection doesnt have top metal piece, is that right?