2001 Windstar - intermittent no start

I have a 2001 Windstar LX. 2 times I have driven it recently and I'll turn it off to go into a store and when I come back to try and start it it turns over and tries to start but quits. Its seems like it is either not getting fuel or getting too much fuel and it quits.

The first time we had to have it towed and then the next day it started right up for the mechanic and he said he couldn't do anything without being able to reproduce the problem. It happened again and I took it in to a different mechanic yesterday. He suggested that it might be that the fuel pump was going out on it but he too didn't really feel like he could troubleshoot it without it happening.

Does the fuel pump sound like the culprit or could it be something else? Is there any way I can figure this out without having to be stranded again?

Paul

The fuel pump may well be the culprit, but try the $10 fuel pump relay first.

My '99 is still on its original fuel pump @ 150k mi, but I'm probably on the 12th relay.

Consult your glove box manual for location.

The section in the manual that I'm looking and find reference to the fuel pump relay is in the fuses section. Does that sound right?

It does for the '99. The relay was one of about 1/2 dozen in the fuse-box next to the battery.

Any idea how to get the Power Distribution Box cover off?

Yeah that is a tough one. on my 99 there are tabs on the sides that need to be released. Sorry that it is not much of a description but at least you now know what to look for. It always seems to take me about 1/2 hour to remove the cover.

The "hinges" are on the front, the clip-latches on the rear. I find it helpful to press down on the center of the lid, while also lifting upwards on the rear latch.

My 2000 3.8L had this symptom. The engine would actually start when the key was at the start (cranking) position, but shut off immediately when the key was relaesed to the run position. My ford mechanic called the factory; they advised replacement of the idle air selenoid. Intermittent connections had been common, and caused this symptom. The car never failed to start since (5 months). Lucky I was still under extended warranty (no charge).

Yeah that is a tough one. on my 99 there are tabs on the sides that need to be released. Sorry that it is not much of a description but at least you now know what to look for. It always seems to take me about 1/2 hour to remove the cover.

On the 2002 there is a hinge on the back, impossible to release. Managed to get this off once, would really like to find a better way, been suggested I use a bent wire hanger.

Any other thoughts here from the 2002 Windstar owners would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Bent wire hanger works, easy on and off now! PS Best of luck with your current situation!