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Ford Windstar Starting/Stalling Problems

64 messages,  Last post on Dec 19, 2012 at 10:01 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Car Safety, Van

Messages Page 1 of 7

#1 of 64 Windstar starts then stops when cold by skyloran

Oct 15, 2007 (7:23 pm)

I have a 2000 Ford Windstar SE. I recently moved to an Island off the coast of Washington and noted that when I leave the Windstar in the driveway at night the engine starts then stops (several times). I can keep the engine going for a while by adding gas pedal, but don't want to put it in gear when I am running it at the higher RPM. In the recent past this problem seemed to go away after I drive it a short distance, but this weekend the car engine would even quit after I drove it a short time. Of course when the engine quits the power brakes and power steering also quits.
After driving the car a longer distance of 7 miles to the nearest town the problem went away. The car started fine the next several times that I started it.
It also seems that when I put the car in the garage at night I don't seem to have a problem the next day.
I am concerned with the safety of my Windstar since the engine, power brakes and steering all go at the same time. Any idea what needs to be fixed?
thanks for your help
Sky

#2 of 64 Re: Windstar starts then stops when cold [skyloran] by windstar03

Oct 22, 2007 (10:12 am)

Replying to: skyloran (Oct 15, 2007 7:23 pm)
Hello. I have an 03 Windstar and after starting it at times (not always), it dies right away. Then I just have to restart it and it's fine. Lately, it has also died sometimes when I slow down for a stoplight, etc. Then I just have to put it in park and start it and it's fine. The auto shop says it's really hard to tell what is wrong with it since there is no "check engine" light on. The only other problem it has is that it seems to make a noise when I turn the steering wheel, esp after I have drove on the highway at speeds more that 55 mph. The power steering fluid is just fine, though. I would appreciate any input. Thanks. Windstar03

#3 of 64 Windstar dies while driving by jenerikj

Oct 23, 2007 (2:33 pm)

I'm also having trouble with my 2000 Windstar. About 3 months ago I was turning a corner and it just died on me. No problems for a month or so. Then my check engine light came on but I haven't had any troubles with it. It smells hot inside the van once in awhile but not always. Then on Friday it died while I was driving down the street. I'm not sure if I let off the gas at all or not this time since I was not turning a corner. So my husband and I took it to the auto parts store Friday night and my computer port under the dash doesn't work so they can't tell us what's wrong. We went ahead and replaced the fuel filter Sat. to see if that helped. It idols a little rough and and the RPM'S go down sometimes while I'm sitting at a stoplight, but not always. It died again on me today when I turned a corner. Once I pull over and get stopped, I put it in park and it usually starts right back up. Today however, I put it in neutral this time and it didn't do anything so I put it in Park and then tried and it didn't start but made noise, I tried one more time and it started right up. If anybody has any ideas I would appreciate it. Since my port isn't working under the dash we can't pinpoint the problem and I hate to go buy a fuel pump and put it in if it's not the problem. Thanks in advance for your help.
Jen

#4 of 64 Re: Windstar dies while driving [jenerikj] by silence

Nov 10, 2007 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: jenerikj (Oct 23, 2007 2:33 pm)
Hi,
 
My ex-husband had the same problem with his Windstar and he told me things improved greatly when he added a container of 'fuel injection cleaner' to a FULL tank of gas.
 
Hope this helps.

#5 of 64 Re: Windstar starts then stops when cold [windstar03] by msmayo

Nov 12, 2007 (9:29 am)

Replying to: windstar03 (Oct 22, 2007 10:12 am)
I had the same problem with my 2003 Windstar and it was a faulty O2 sensor. Since having this replaced it has been fine.

#6 of 64 96 Windstar not starting by jdaugherty

Dec 09, 2007 (7:07 pm)

I have a 3.8L v6 1996 Ford Windstar. Recently, I have been having stalling issues so I used a bottle of Prestone injector cleaner and the van started to run more efficiently. Two days ago, I turned the van on and refilled some antifreeze, let it run for a few minutes, then turned off the engine. Two hours later, the van would not start. It has plenty of crank but will not turn over. I even tried to start it while using jumper cables, but still no turnover. Last year I had all wires and plugs replaced and the fuel filter replaced. I just moved to Ohio and it is fairly cold but not enough to freeze anything. Occasionally, when it won't start, I have to press the fuel pump button located in the back panel of the van and it starts right up, but this button is still pressed down. Any ideas how in just two hours, the engine will not turn over?

#7 of 64 Re: 96 Windstar not starting [jdaugherty] by jeffyscott

Dec 10, 2007 (9:05 am)

Replying to: jdaugherty (Dec 09, 2007 7:07 pm)
I once put a fuel injector cleaner in a car of mine and it made it run worse than it did before...started and could be driven but it was really rough. Dealer claimed the injector cleaner may have clogged things up by mobilizing crud in the tank allowing it to clog up fuel filter and injectors. I have no idea if there is any truth to this theory, but a real fuel injector cleaning and new fuel filter fixed the problem.
 
Where is this fuel pump button you mention and what is it supposed to do (we have a '97 and I know nothing about this feature).

#8 of 64 Re: 96 Windstar not starting [jeffyscott] by jdaugherty

Dec 13, 2007 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: jeffyscott (Dec 10, 2007 9:05 am)
There is a triangular-shaped panel on the passenger side behind the wheel well at the back of the van, right next to the hatch. Open the panel and there should be a black plastic mount with a red button. If the button is not pressed down, the fuel pump is not getting fuel, I guess it was some sort of fail-safe in case the van was rear-ended. When mine won't start, I check the button, in this case, the button is still pressed down but it still won't start...

#10 of 64 windstar won't start by alucard13

Dec 21, 2007 (4:34 pm)

  My 95 windstar won't start. It started fine today I did all my erranes came home and half an hour later went to go to work and the van won't start. All you get is the normal clicking sound all dash lights are normal the battery tested full even disconected the battery to reset the computer ( had to do that a few times with my old aerostar) , fuel shutoff switch was not triped the button is still down and still the van will not start. The only thing strange is when I turn the key a few times the power locks will lock and then unlock.
dose anyone have any ideas as to what to check ?
Thank you
Ralph

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