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Ford Windstar Starting/Stalling Problems

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

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

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

Messages Page 6 of 8

#42 of 64 Re: 98 Windstar 3.0L will not start [thebamafan] by delawarejim

Jan 31, 2011 (6:33 am)

Replying to: thebamafan (Jan 30, 2011 10:24 pm)
Hey. I'm not a mechanic....I just have a 03 Ford Windstar. Couple of thoughts for you. The gas reaching your injectors has to under pressure. There's a real easy way to check: Turn the key to ON one click below starting the van (this energizes the fuel pump (which is located inside the gas tank)). Now, with the key still ON, go inside the engine compartment and find the fuel lines just before the injectors. You are looking for a small plastic cap that you can unscrew. It is attached directly onto the fuel line and looks something like the little plastic cap that you unscrew to check the air pressure in tires. Find it, then unscrew the cap. Nothing will happen at this point...the cap is just a dust cover. You will now see what looks like the thing that you put air into on a tire. And guess what....you simply poke a screwdriver tip into the tip of it and you should see gas spew out under pressure which means it should look like paint being sprayed out of a spray can. If it does spew out, your gas supply is good. If it doesn't, could be a fuel pump not pumping....could also be the fuel cut-off switch ( this is the thing that shuts off the fuel supply if your van got hit in an accident. It could be bad or just tripped. ) I assume you have a Chilton manual...look it up and find where its located and test it.
     Fuel pump is little tricky to test because its in the gas tank. Usually, when you turn the key to ON, you can hear the fuel pump turn ON for a few seconds. You have to hang your head outside the van and listen in the direction of the gas tank. You are listening for a noise that only should last for a few seconds. Sounds like an electric motor turning on. Normally if you can hear it, you will have fuel pressure. If you can't hear it, you need a new fuel pump. Which means you have to drop your gas tank to replace it. I did an oldsombile alero in the driveway and it took about 3 hours star to finish.
     An engine only needs 3 things to run....oxygen, gas, and spark. You've got spark. You got air. You may not have the gas pressure that you need. Sure hope this helps.

#43 of 64 Re: 98 Windstar 3.0L will not start [thebamafan] by rcchampacojr

Jan 31, 2011 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: thebamafan (Jan 30, 2011 10:24 pm)
First of all, I'm not a mechanic either, but sometimes I just go with common sense along with a basic knowledge. Sounds like you're on the right diagnostic track. Sounds also as if you're like me, trying to solve the problem in the cheapest route possible, if not free. You're getting fuel. You say you're getting spark with the screwdriver test. I like that test also, although I prefer to keep the sparkplug on the end so I can visually test both the sparkplug and the wires at the same time, as well as me thinking it's safer. My question is if you checked spark on all cylinders, not just one. If you did and you are getting spark, then the only logical thing to go on next is, with fuel and spark being present, the spark must be at the wrong times.

#44 of 64 Re: 98 Windstar 3.0L will not start [delawarejim] by thebamafan

Jan 31, 2011 (3:57 pm)

Replying to: delawarejim (Jan 31, 2011 6:33 am)
Thanks. Could it still be a fuel issue when I mentioned that I tried starter fluid in the air intake and it wouldn't start?

#45 of 64 RE: Windstar Stalling by revans513

Feb 14, 2011 (7:42 am)

Well I wanted to give some feedback and tell you all how I fixed my stalling issues. First it's a 2003 Windstar LX. My stalling issues started after I replaced the alternator. The stalling was under light acceleration and at about 2200 RPMs. In order to get the car to re-start, you had to turn the key to off, then start it. I had the alternator checked but it showed that it was fine. I cleaned out Mass Airflow Sensor and the IAP(?) small valve sitting on top of the engine. The stalling continued. I felt like it was electrical since it just stopped running, like the key was turned off.
 
So, I went back to O'reilly's and talked with the counter guy. He came out and put a meter on the alternator and it was only putting out 69 Amps. It should have been 135 Amps. But it immediately went back up to 133 Amps. So, he replaced the alternator and it's now been about 3 weeks without any problems. So, I think the lesson is, the problems one person might be having, will not necessarily prove to be the problems you are experiencing. BUT, I suggest that you look at the electrical system, if your issues are like mine.
 
Good Luck!!

#46 of 64 Re: windstar stalls while driving [gho5tman77] by mfranco1

Jun 16, 2011 (12:51 pm)

Replying to: gho5tman77 (Sep 16, 2010 8:22 am)
I am having the exact same problem with my windstar and I need your help to identify what a fuel safety switch is.
 
I have called the dealer and gthey don't know what I'm talking about. Please help.
 
Thanks

#47 of 64 Re: windstar stalls while driving [mfranco1] by jlfonz

Jun 16, 2011 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: mfranco1 (Jun 16, 2011 12:51 pm)
I'm not the one that posted that but---the fuel safety switch should be inside the cubby hole hole in back on the driver side---it's just a red button essentiually. Most cars keep it behind the passneger side kick panel. I still to this day have my problem and still only on the coldest of days. I've pulled all of the seats out of it and use it as a family pick up truck now anyway--I think I had finally traced mine to the device mounted directly to and under the battery box. I don't remember what it is. It's easier to see when on a rack and I had disconnected and reconnect the harness to it hoping it might clear a bad connection.

#48 of 64 Car won't start or turn off after odd events? by mmarino55

Jul 26, 2011 (4:30 pm)

#49 of 64 Car won't start or turn off after odd events? by mmarino55

Jul 26, 2011 (11:36 am)

I was driving with cruise control on, suddenly my radio turned off and my power locks started going crazy, they went up and down rapidly on there own for a few seconds .at this time I smelt some sort of burning plastic. I tried to turn off the car in neutral to try and restart the power to get my radio back on and I realized the car would not turn off. When I got home to turn off the car I had to disconnected the battery to turn off because even in off position with the key out of the ignition the car would not turn off. Now the car won't turn on. When I turn the key nothing happens. What could be the problem? It is defiantly electric or at least I think. Please help! Thank you god bless.

#50 of 64 Update by mmarino55

Jul 26, 2011 (4:30 pm)

Update. Car will not hold charge

#51 of 64 Windstar won't start by lwong82d

Aug 06, 2011 (8:27 pm)

Messages Page 6 of 8

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