I'm stranded at work right now because my 92 4.0 has no power going to it at all, aside from the buzzer that lets me know the key is in. No lights, no blinkers, no crank, nothing.
I drove it to work fine this morning.
What is more likely, cables or battery? Or something else? I'm about to walk home I guess and come back when it's not 1,000 degrees outside.

 

maybe check your grounds? I had the same thing happen to me once and it was a bad negative cable off the battery where it grounds out to the block (on a 1996 Bronco though). Good luck and hope it's nothing big.

 

Try starting it in nuetral?

 

Tried starting in neutral, tried wiggling the shifter. Nothing.
Every once in a while it sounds like it wants to crank but doesn't go any further. If I pull the light switch the key buzzer goes off, lights don't come on. As I said it seems that the only electrical power I have is the key in ignition buzzer. Also the temp gauge goes all the way up on key turn. I think that has always happened though , usually it just goes back down after its turns over. Same for the oil gauge, that's not moving now though.
It's just not getting any power. I don't want to start throwing money at it, so what could be the most likely cause? I don't know how old the battery is and the cables look pretty rough so either of those could be it. From what I can tell the grounds look fine.

 

I just went through an issue very similar. Here are some things to check:

- Make sure the battery is good and the battery terminals are clean
- Batter ground and engine ground strap
- Negative connection from battery to the engine block
- Starter (hit it with a hammer while starting - make sure its in park)
- Wiggle the **** out off your key in the ignition while trying to start it. It could just be an ignition pin or actuator issue.

If none of the above work, it most likely sounds to me like a starter/ignition switch issue based on the research I've done to find out what my issue was. It's a $30ish part under the steering wheel. I've read it's an easy fix.

 

Went and bought a new positive terminal and installed it -- cranked up instantly. The PO had apparently removed the OE positive terminal and installed a clamp style that has corroded itself to death.
Problem solved I hope.