01 windstar won't start or Jump

Help - Desprate mom that can not get van into shop until 12/10/08 - Need to get to work Hoping that there is something that I can do to get in running by monday. Please HELP!:banghead:

The van has worked well this week except needing one jump 6 days ago. Battery was replaced less than 8 mo ago, fuses are good, battery terminals are good, clean.

I have heard many it could be things. I have to get this 1 ton paperweight going again and am simply at whits end.

The car started having starting issues about 2 weeks ago, it would start and run rough. turn off and start again would be ok, next cold start nothing.. not starting but could be jumped.... Now No start no jump, it is turning over but not catching to continue to run.

IDMOM

Welcome to AFs!

Sorry you're having trouble. How long have you owned the van? How many miles do you have on it? Has the CEL (check engine light) been on?

Post back and we'll see how we can help out

Regards

Dan

somethings draining battery or alt is not charging so souds like you just been running on battery. i'd get it chaged up and take it to auto zone and see about alt i think alt not charging? or you may check starter that will drain it also.but first stop auto zone or advanced.

Are you saying the starter turns it just fine in the last paragraph, but it won't fire and run? What's the mileage and the last tuneup?

Definetly sounds like the alternator. My daughter in-laws,(99 Windstar), did the same thing. Alternator was bad.

Welcome to the forums, but first things first.

Does the van have a keyless entry or security system to it? If so next time it refuses to start you can try cycling thru between loking and unlocking the doors to possibly reset the system.

Also, when it refuses to start at all have you :

tried wiggling the key forward and back or a little bit past the normal spots to see if its in the ignition
tried moving the selector to see if it starts in neutral instead of park in case it has a bad PRNDL(personal experience)
checking to make sure the levels are topped up and looking underneath the vehicle for puddles or other new spots you haven't seen before.Not sure how far it will get ya, but just some suggestions. As well have you looked at the fluids to make sure there are none that are discolored. Not trying to talk down to ya, but you haven't said what level of experience or ability you have with a vehicle.

I'd be definitely be checking the alternator. Go to a local autozone or similar parts place. They can check the alternator while it's in the van. This is assuming that you can get it running! I'd also look at the rear brake light cluster (the one in the back window). My wife's van had a bulb out in that 3 and it caused the battery to drain and had similar symptoms to yours. It may be that bulb draining the battery and a bad alternator not charging.

Piper

The car started having starting issues about 2 weeks ago, it would start and run rough. turn off and start again would be ok, next cold start nothing.. not starting but could be jumped.... Now No start no jump, it is turning over but not catching to continue to run.

One thought towards the battery though, if jumper cables are used does the engine turn over faster? If this is true, it could be the battery, something in the charging system, or something in the starting system drawing too many amps.

However, I don't believe that it's the battery. It was running rough and something was causing this. What ever this is may have changed from causing rough running to a no start condition.

Have you had any luck with any of our suggestions?

Dan

LaSabre97mint - the van has been in my possession for almost two years(will be in feb) has 96000 miles on it which I have put on 10,000 of. The CEL has been on with frequent checking to make sure there are not more codes being dropped - it has only been dropping the code about an down stream o2 sensor. My Mechanic said that it would be fine with out replacing it.
The Jump factor -- the starter does not speed up nore is there any drag on the other vehicle when trying to jump the Van.

Others - Has had new battery in the last eight months and is holding a good charge.. the last tune up was in the end of 07 and was actually getting set for another.. *grumble grumble*

It has keyless entry and the system works fine. I have checked all the fluids the oil was low and has been topped off. the others were all fine.
Tried Neutral instead of Park and still just turnover and no start.

We were checking spark plugs and my husband turned it over and it started- turned it off to remove the tester and now again nothing.... :banghead:

I sometimes have trouble understanding "starting" or "not starting".

The engine is "cranking" (turning over), but then not "running" ... or not "cranking" at all??

(If it is "cranking", why are you sometimes jumping it off?)

..or, Does it "crank", then "run" a bit, and then stop?

Has the battery voltage been read during any of these events?

IDMOM

What kind of tester was used to check the spark plugs? I'm looking for a reason why it would run with it attached and not with it disconnected.

Dan

The van was cranking and not catching or firing up.

IDMOM

What kind of tester was used to check the spark plugs? I'm looking for a reason why it would run with it attached and not with it disconnected.

Dan
I think it was a fluke that it started, the tester was just a generic spark plug tester.

The van was picked up by a tow truck last evening and is now at the shop to get fixed... Thank you for all of your assisstance.

The troubleshooting that I had completed was that I had checked the terminals and battery cables and charge. I have checked all the fuses and they were all in good working order. The fuel pump was working fine. The spark plugs are delivering spark. --- I believe that I have eliminated all suspects xcept fuel.

IDMOM

I for one would like to know what the shop finds out.

Please post back when you know

Dan

--- I believe that I have eliminated all suspects xcept fuel.

I think you are very close. I wish we had had time for us to get you around to the fuel pump relay and the PCM relays ... as well as a couple of other relays. Sometimes extra voltage (jumping) will help crippled relays to act properly for "one more time".

Was gone for a bit, but I would say that sounds like a bad coil pack to me at this point .... but also if she has a bad O2- it could of caused the catalytic convertor to clog causing the same issues ..... hope she lets us know what they find and what fixed it.

IDMOM

I for one would like to know what the shop finds out.

Please post back when you know

Dan
I will be posting as soon as I know... Since they could not schedule it in until the 10th of dec, and they said they would work it in, with the holiday and such... I can not be in any hurry.

Thankful this Thanksgiving for full coverage insurance(for the towing), That the van is still under warrunty, That they were willing to take it in to the shop early, and that I found this forum for help, and of course the usuall family friends and a good job.

I will be posting as soon as the shop tells me.

Hi all... I got the Van back a week ago and have been running ever since...

The shop said that it was the battery, the charge was so low that it would not even jump, They put it on the charger and its all good now... however I figured out that my 6 year old likes to have the dome lights on and typically forgets to turn them off... so I think that is why it drained... but other than that thanks for all the tips... I appreciate it a ton!