1992 explorer issues/ does not start

I have a 1992 explorer xlt in decent shape other than it's issues. Nice interior and looks decent. 118k. I just picked it up a couple weeks ago real cheap hoping it would be an easy fix but not easy enough for me I guess! The ex owner said it ran fine then didn't have reverse. He also cut the air intake plastic to get to the battery! I figured I could fix that transmission or worse comes to worse get one for $150. through a connection (all lined up). I got it home and wanted to run it and see what was up before I dove into anything ofcourse. It won't start. It cranks fine but doesn't start. I pulled a plug and see no spark. I also don't hear the fuel pump coming on when the key is turned. My more knowledgable brother in law pulled a plug apart under the dash and was turning the pump on and off by pulling power from something else so I would say it works but not on it's own. I'm thinking that there are problems linking to one cause, does that sound right? We tried another computer from the junky under the dash with no difference. Does anyone know of a switch, relay or sensor that would control the spark and fuel pump? All the fuses under the hood seem to be fine. unfortunatley I don't have much history of the vehicle. I would love to get this thing running and appreciate any ideas and comments. It gets donated if I can't figure it out and fix it relatively cheaply. So in short, doesn't start, no spark, no fuel pump coming on and supposedley no reverse. ??????????

I have a similar problem. Did you figure it out yet?

No I havn't figured it out yrt. I was hoping someone had some ideas on here. Do you have any leads or advice gathered from someone?

Believe it or not I just figured it out! I took out the battery and I found there was a connector with 2 black wires just laying there. I hooked it to the ground on the battery and it started right up!
It was driving me crazy. This past week I took out the fuel tank, computer and took all kinds of voltage measurements and was at my wits end. It was a similar situation as you because I bought the Explorer for $260 just knowing it wouldn't start. It gave me a good run for my money but sometimes the problem is really simple. Being that you say the guy was playing in the battery area I would check there. GOOD LUCK.

Awesome. Thanks for the hint. I'm glad you figured it out. I will definateley check that and post the results. I hope it's as easy as that for me, lol. I need to get this thing running to see what else is going on. Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks again

That was it! It was a lousy connection because the guy had mangled the terminal. I put another terminal on and it fired right up. Thanks a bunch for the idea. Now I can fix the tranny. When I got it running it was leaking all it's fluid out at the bell housing. I talked to my brother in law and he said all that is is the front transmission seal. So thats my next step. Hopefully it's easy enough. He said I can slide the tramsmission back far enough to get the tourque converter out and the new seal in. This is going to be awesome if these are it's only problems. I'll update in a couple days when I have the new seal in. Thanks again, over and out.