1998 3.8L Windstar won't start. Please Help!

Hi,
I drove my windstar for shopping, park for 2 hours, when I'm done shopping, it won't start. It crank, but the engine just didn't start. I tried several times. I know the motor starter and battery are OK because it crank. Gas is about 1/3 full capacity. I checked all the fuse under the hood, and they are OK. Do you have any idea what wrong with my car ?

That isn't much to go on but if an engine cranks well but will not start then it can usually be traced to an ignitioon problem or a fuel delivery problem.

So, there are two posibilities. How do you pinpoint easily, whether it is ignition or fuel delivery?.

So, there are two posibilities. How do you pinpoint easily, whether it is ignition or fuel delivery?.

There are two COMMON possibilities.

For ignition you can purchase an inexpensive spark tester. You disconnect one spark plg wire at the plug and using this tester you look for a spark while a helper cranks the engine - Be aware that this is high voltage.

For fuel you can check the pressure at the fuel line schraeder valve which is under the hood. I would be careful though as fuel will squirt out if pressurized.

Thanks DRW1000,
I will try those today.

Thanks DRW1000,
I will try those today.


Post back with what you find out.

OK,
I bought a spark tester. I only tried the front cables, as it is accesible. All of them gave a spark. So I guess the ignition sysytem was OK? I didn't tried the fuel system though 'cause I am not sure how to do it. Can you give me more detail explanation? Do I need a fuel pressure gauge? It seemed pricey.
Thanks.

OK,
I bought a spark tester. I only tried the front cables, as it is accesible. All of them gave a spark. So I guess the ignition sysytem was OK? I didn't tried the fuel system though 'cause I am not sure how to do it. Can you give me more detail explanation? Do I need a fuel pressure gauge? It seemed pricey.
Thanks.
I had a similar problem recently which was caused by a faulty electric fuel pump and bad wiring to the fuel pump. The fuel pump is a motor located inside the gasoline tank.

Normally when you turn the ignition to start you will/can hear the motor running.

I suspect with your no-start condition you don't hear the motor running.

I had a similar problem recently which was caused by a faulty electric fuel pump and bad wiring to the fuel pump. The fuel pump is a motor located inside the gasoline tank.

Normally when you turn the ignition to start you will/can hear the motor running.

I suspect with your no-start condition you don't hear the motor running.

Yes, it was the fuel pump. We replaced it with a new one yesterday. Now the engine run. But, the fuel gauge stuck above full. Any idea?

The fuel pick-up arm, with the "sock" filter floats up and down with the level of the fuel in the tank.
On this arm is a sensor that gives the fuel gauge the level of the fuel in the tank, based upon the position of the pick-up arm.
It is possible that the fuel level sensor is not connected.