Expert: Dusty Granata - 7/8/2009

Question
Ford Explorer Sport approx 1996 , 4.0Liter w/ manual trans a/c , power windows . Vehicle will start , but when ignition switch is released , it re-engages the starter .

Answer
do you have a aftermarket starter button hooked up? if so it sounds like its wire wrong. if it is stock, it could be one of three things, the ignition key switch is not cutting power from the starter after it is released, the starter solenoid is bad, or the Bendix in the starter is bad. by the sound of it i would say the first two are the best bets. open your hood, on the passenger side inner fender wall you will find the starter solenoid, have a friend get behind the wheel, and you disconnect the actuator or energizer wire from the solenoid, this is the small wire between the two cables, it should just pull off, and is usually red, orange or purple. hook a test light to the negative post of the battery and then to the energizer wire. have your friend turn the key like he was going to start the truck, if the light turns on (or your multi-meter reads voltage) you are getting power from the key, now have him release the key, the light should go out. if it does, your problem is the solenoid, if it does not it is the ignition lock switch. the solenoid is pretty easy to replace but the key is a little trickier. let me know how you make out.