98 explorer - yet another one not starting

[presvt]

Just purchased a '98 explorer 4.0. Twice in the last week it has failed to start. Seems to have power (locks, lights, etc work), but when you put in the key and turn it over, everything goes dead (no click,nothing, lights, locks, etc are dead). Everything stays dead until I unhook the battery and then hook it back up. Then it starts fine and will start fine for about a week. It has a new battery. Ford garage can't find anything wrong. I'm assuming that unhooking the battery is reseting something, just don't know what it is. Anyone have a similiar problem? I am wondering if it is tied to the factory theft prevention?

[Mark's Shop]

Originally Posted by presvt

Just purchased a '98 explorer 4.0. Twice in the last week it has failed to start. Seems to have power (locks, lights, etc work), but when you put in the key and turn it over, everything goes dead (no click,nothing, lights, locks, etc are dead). Everything stays dead until I unhook the battery and then hook it back up. Then it starts fine and will start fine for about a week. It has a new battery. Ford garage can't find anything wrong. I'm assuming that unhooking the battery is reseting something, just don't know what it is. Anyone have a similiar problem? I am wondering if it is tied to the factory theft prevention?

It could be rebooting the computer. However the molded battery cable ends are notorious for corroding/insulating between the copper wire and the lead end connection. Sometimes it will even travel up the wire under the plastic insulation. Try cutting the ends off, clean the wire, apply anticorrosion grease and replace with the bolt on type lead ends.