98 Ford Windstar shuts off after starting up

I have had this annoying problem recently when I drive and then park for about an half hour. When I attempt to start the car up, it shuts off. After about two or three attempts it starts up ok. It doesn't do this any other time except when I have it sitting for the amount of time stated above. I did get the battery checked and the alternator is new and when running seems fine. I'm not sure what the cause is. If I go to start it up after it sits overnight, it starts right up. If I run a quick errand and start the car up, it starts up fine. I'm fearful this will begin to get worse so I want to try to redemy it if I can.

Any ideas?

98 Ford Windstar - 3.8L
86K

I also been having issues with the ABS and tracking light coming on once in a while when turning. Would this be part of the above problem I am dealing with? Any ideas or suggestions would be helpful. TIA

Just a hunch: focus on the fuel pump. when it doesn't start, do you hear the pump or not?

Check the fuel pump relay, fuel pump fuse.

I am experiencing intermittent fuel pump problems on my 1999 Windstar.

There had been a previous post with a similar problem. The problem was determined to be a leaky fuel injector.

Here is the post

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=516738

Dizmatic

Yes it does sound like a leaky injector. Does your oil smell like gas? If an injector is leaking during the brief down time the gas will eventually end up in the oil. The fuel psi/leakdown test sounds like the way to go. Another thing you could do would be to stage the .5 hour down time and have someone just turn the key to run so the lights on the dash come on. Be near the gas tank and listen for the hum of the fuel pump. No hum= problem with pump somewhere.

As for your ABS light on during turning....???!!! You might want to find a garage (some smaller garages can read ABS codes and not charge you an arm and a leg) that can read ABS codes and have them check for ABS codes. My first thought would be a loose wheel bearing causing the wheel sensor air gap to increase and causing the light to come on.

Some thoughts from afar....

Regards

Dan

Thank you gentlemen. I will proceed with your suggestions. I'm hopeful I can get these resolved. I will post an update.

As you do not mention a CEL, check to see if it comes on when you first turn the key to the ON position....just to verify that the bulb is good.

No CEL does point to a possible electrical problem, or fuel problem.

Fuel is likely as the PCM does NOT monitor fuel pressure or fuel flow.

For those who have the trip computer with a fuel economy readout......and in my case, I have a "Scangauge" that reads fuel economy......and other stuff from the OBDII port....... Fuel economy is calculated from the measured airflow through the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor.
Then using the air fuel ration (something around 14/1)....the fuel usage is calculated.

So, a fuel delivery problem will not trip the CEL.

I do not know if the '98 has the CCRM (Constant Control Relay Module) which contains the fuel pump relay, as my '96 does.....
Or if they had moved the fuel pump relay into the relay box..... aka Power Distribution Box, that is located in the engine compartment, near the battery.
The fuel relay in the distribution box has been mentioned a number of times as a source of trouble.

Wiswind,

Funny you mentioned an electrical problem. I am also having problems with the heating in the rear which sound like it is working but no air comes out. Also the rear left side window does not work all of a sudden.