problem starting and gear shifting (manual gears) for 1998 explorer

My car has some kind of with starting. When I first noticed it, the car would not start after I tried starting smoke came out from the hood, and I noticed that the negative power connector grounding cable had melted. Then it wouldn't start. I replaced the grounding cable and the battery connectors and the problem was no longer there. Then yesterday the same problem. This time the positice side connector had melted slightly and the car wouldn't start. It would just click and then all the power in the car was gone. To get the power back all i had to do was touch the + power side connection and it seems i would ground it and the power would comeback to the car and the lights were on. then try to turn over and it clicked and all power was gone. i reoved the positive side connctor, meshed the thicker wire (to alternator ?) and the ground (i think it goes to the ground, it connects to the left side of the body on a little circular device mounted on the car body) and once i wound the two wires together and reconnected the partially melted battery connector the car started. it always kinda has a slow turnover to begin with and then picks up speed in turning over and starts. I'm afraid this will happen again. what is the problem ?

also, the gears are very difficult to put into place. particular 1st and 2nd but someties they are easy and other times i have to push real hard to get the gears in. could it need lubrication ? what could be causing this and why does it occur some of the time and rather than always ?

thank you !

Reply to
hedgerum
Loading thread data ...

I frenquently get this message on my obd11 code scanner which says 'system to lean bank 2'.Could someone tell me what 'bank 2 means'.

Reply to
BLITZ11

Bank 1 is the side of the engine with cylinder #1. Bank 2 is the other side. On an Explorer, bank 2 is on the driver side. In spite of repeated requests from the kind professionals who donate their time to this group, you did not even list the engine size, age or mileage. If, by chance, yours is the 4.0L overhead cam, it has a reputation for leaky intake manifold gaskets, which have been discussed here ad nauseam. Google the archives of this group.

Reply to
Happy Traveler

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.