same problem new info quitting while driving

my 2001 ford windstar quits while going down the road. no warning no nothing. it dies without missing. there is nothing coding up and the alternator is fine. the lights do not dim or anything. i need some serious help here please!!!!!!!! :banghead:

I would look into the fuel pump, first thing would be the fuel pump relay in the relay box in the engine compartment.
There have been posts indicating that this relay is problemmatic.

The windstar does not monitor fuel pressure or flow, so there will be no CEL or codes that directly indicate this.


I would also change the fuel filter as a dirty fuel filter can place an additional load on the fuel pump.

You might need to monitor the fuel pressure at the fuel rail (test point is in the middle of the front of the fuel rail).

You may also want to check the relays in the power distribution box under the hood.

My '94 Ranger recently had the relay for the PCM go bad. The truck would just die without warning. I haven't looked in the box under the hood for our Windstar, but my Ranger has a relay for both the fuel pump and PCM. Either one of those failing will cause the engine to die without warning.


Opps, I didn't read wiswinds post completely. He already stated the fuel pump relay. If there is a relay for the PCM, check that too, because when it fails it will remove power from the fuel pump relay as well.

my 2001 ford windstar quits while going down the road. no warning no nothing. it dies without missing. there is nothing coding up and the alternator is fine. the lights do not dim or anything. i need some serious help here please!!!!!!!! :banghead:

Tom

Does the van start up right a way or do you have to wait? Do you have to shut the key off or can you go right to start and have it start?

Dan

I had that happen to me in my 98' with a 3.8 turned out to be the fuel pump relay. However and I don't have my book with me, if I remember after 99 the fuel pump relay is Incorporated into the CCFM and I think it is next to your battery.

I am now chasing a misfire on number three and a lean fuel codes :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
alaskanebular

Another thing too is that when relays start to go bad, cold weather will affect them more. My Ranger did not want to start in the mornings when it was cold. Also, hitting any kind of bump would make the engine stumble or completely die. Shutting the door too hard would kill the engine. Basically anything that would jolt the relays would cause the engine to die.

With the van running, give a few moderate taps on the fuse box or the relays themselves. Don't hit them too hard. If they're bad, the engine will start to die or die completely as your hitting the relays.

Relays are pretty cheap (~$10) and it would probably be a good Idea to just replace them anyway. I would hate to get stuck on the hiway with a large tow bill for a $10 part that can changed in 5 min.

Keep us posted.

I am now chasing a misfire on number three and a lean fuel codes :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:
alaskanebular


you may want to read my thread
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=903467

I too have a 98 and had similar problems, tried many things and finaly solved it.

no spit or sputtering. it just dies flat. then you have to pull over put it in park and restart it. it fires right back up though

I had the same problem with an 88 voyager years ago, and it was the fuel pump

Would like to know if you fixed this and what the fix was. Thanks! :)

ok got the problem fixed. short answer is that rebuilding newer model alternators is not a good idea. the long answer is i was in advance picking up some unrelated parts and decided to check on the price of an alternator. the sales guy asked what was happening. i told him my alternator had went out and i got it rebuilt. he stopped me there and told me everything my windstar was doing since putting on the rebuilt alternaor. i bought a new one for $210 and put it on. 3 weeks and still running like a top.