1996 Ford Explorer: won't start

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Electrical · 231,381 miles · CA

When I attempted to start my ford explorer by turning the key it wouldn't start it would make a slight buzz but that was it, so I got one of the mechanic to assist me at my job. He told me the battery was good, because the lights and radio was working. So he started the SUV by putting the key in the start position and placing a screwdriver across this one part mounted under the hood on the driver side I was then able to drive home. When my husband returned from out town I told him about the situation and he attempted to start the explorer and the same thing occurred, so he started it the same way that the mechanic did. However; this time he wasn't able to turn the ignition off. The key just turns a full 360 degree in the chamber and makes no connection with anything. He end up disconnecting the battery to turn off the explorer. This is an 1996 eddie bauer edition. Has anyone else had this problem. If so how did you fix it and the cost? Please report the situation to the federal safety agency.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Transmission · VA

I currently own a 1996 ford explorer xlt, 4x4, 5-speed manual transmission. One thing I have noticed with this vehicle is when I am either stopping moderately hard/fast or making sharp right turns, the engine tends to stall. This only happens when the transmission is in neutral or I have the clutch in. The main reason this is a problem is because when the vehicle is stalled, the power steering is off. Most of my problems have been on off ramps where I'm traveling realitively fast and a right turn. Towards the end of the ramp I start to straigten out the wheel and realize I can't move it. Generally I am forced to slam on the breaks before running into something or if I have enough time, I will quickly attempt to start it. There was no specific incident date. This did not start to happen until after my 30-day warranty was up at from the dealer so I have not had anything done to attempt to fix it. I have found on the internet that several explorers have had this problem. Some people blamed it on a valve. Below are listed websites where people have submitted to forums. These are people in similar situations as myself. Thanks http://www.carconsumers.com/ford_explorer.html http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/04/13/national/main285613.shtml http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/10/10/national/main240067.shtml http://www.cartrackers.com/forums/live/gremlins/191.html http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi/forum/subtopic/topicid=0351/subtopicid=0000857 7/firstrecord=0/finalrecord=14/ http://forums.vmag.com/pm-1001/messages/3445.html.

Filed Oct 28, 2000 · Electrical, Steering · GA

This vehicle has been a lemon since I leased it and the ford motor company has done nothing to try and stop the problems. They have refused on all accounts to even right up a service complaint so there will be a record of the times I have taken it in for problems. This vehicle is dangerous, it should have been totally taken off the road years ago. The door lock in the rear goes up and down at random and it does it repeatly until I have to shut the car off because I,m afraid it will catch fire. The tires started wearing through when there was only 30,000. Miles on them, and now it will not crank unless I hold the gear shift up past the p mark on the colum and I live on a flat paved road. The ford company said it was from parking on a hill. I live in south east ga, we have no hills.*ak( dot number: )

Filed Aug 14, 2000 · Engine · NY

When driving my 1996 explorer at 50 MPH on a highway I heard a loud click and lost all power. I managed to steer the car to the side of the road. The car cranked but would not turn over. My mechanic towed the car and upon examining the car found that the crankshaft was broken. He felt that my explorer's crankshaft has a definite manufacturing defect since the car mileage is only 28000miles. He urged me to contact tower ford where I purchased the explorer. Tower ford advised me that they would not pay anything toward the repair of my vehicle since the warranty had expired. I am frustrated. I was lucky that I was able to escape injury on the highway and now I have a vehicle with only 28000miles with a broken crankshaft -with no help from ford. I believe that the crankshaft in my explorer has a definite manufacturing defect and ford needs to be investigated.

Filed Apr 15, 1999 · Electrical · OH · fire

Consumer started the truck up, but it wouldn't start. He noticed smoke cmming from under neath the hood.

Filed Jan 30, 1998 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Engine and fuel injection malfunction. Check engine light flashed, engine RPM's raise to 4000-5000 without acceleration, vehicle jerks as if receiving fuel intermittently. Vehicle sometimes stalls and/or will not start.

Filed Aug 9, 1996 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle will stall when clutch is depressed. Ford is aware and has a technical service bulletin, but repairs will not start until possibly three months away. *ak