Grounding Issue in 96 Explorer?

Heres a quick way to tell if theres a grounding issue with your vehicle...

Of course make sure your meter is ok but you can use the votage setting for this. Put the meter on DC to measure 12v.

Touch the negative probe to the battery terminal (make sure it's clean), and touch the positive to various metal such as the hood, fender, block, shock tower, alternator etc. 

If you get any voltage readings you found the culprit.  I had a car once show 12v+ when I touched the hood doing this same test. That can't be a good thing. Simple wire (ground strap from hood to body) fixed it.