Well, it sounds likt the cable has been stretched out running from the latch to the handle inside the car. You'll probably have to locate the cable where it exits the black sheath leading to the lever, and grab it by the actual cable itself (not the black plastic) and trip it manually by pulling on it.
I had to do this with my Mustang a few weeks back, and that was the only way for me to get into the engine compartment. Not sure if it'll be accessible on the Explorer, but thought I'd chip in my .02
Good luck!