Won't turn over

My brother has 2000 Windstar - I don't know the miles, engine etc., but it died on him at a red light and wouldn't start. He replaced the battery and starter and all he gets is one click/clunk when he turns the key. Any ideas? He doesn't have much money and already threw $200 for starter, plus whatever the battery cost. I would like to help him so he doesn't have to pay a shop.

Thanks

highly unlikely, but you never know because sometimes I get this in rare cases; it could have died for numerous reasons, but in having the battery disconnected, it usually throws my alarm system into a mess. The alarm thinks someone has disconnected power to bypass the alarm, so it locks out the vehichle so it won't start. The way I get around it when it happens to me is, put the key in the ignition and then press the door unlock on the phob (remote), then try to start it. May be a waste of time, but I have had it a few times on my 2001 and it always confuses me at first because it just won't turn over!

could be a ton of stuff but 1 other thing that's easy to check is the TRS. Do a search on that and you'll learn of another windstar weakness.

Piper

Along the lines of the TRS is to try starting it in the Nuetral position instead of park. You can with great care, try to jump start right at the starter if you dare. Are you sure your ground cables, clamps and all that are good? Also be sure that where the ground strap goes to the engine is clean and solidly bolted. On two of my similar Fords, the starter solenoid wire connector on the starter will not have enough contact, dirty or loose, and would either give me a click/clunk or nothing. All I'd do is wiggle that little wire or pull it off, as it is a simple spade connector, and then put it back on. I got tired of that happening to me and didin't want it to happen to the wife so I cleaned them real good and got them real tight on the female spade. You should test to see if you are getting 12v via this wire when the key is turned to start. You could as I mentioned above, take a hot jumper wire very carefully to this same terminal to see if the starter will work. This will help confirm what is and isn't working. Keep us posted with your progress so we can hopefully send you in new but right direction.

If it died as he was driving it is something to do with the fuel or ignition. Are you sure it is getting fuel and spark?

So I picked my brother up yesterday and drove to his workplace to troubleshoot. He had a brand new Chilton manual for the van and I started looking at the trouble shooting 'won't turn over' section and find a bunch of stuff he already did, i.e., battery, starter etc. I see the TRS as a possibility, and 'engine seized'. He told me he just left Fast Eddies after getting an oil change when it died, so I pull the dipstick and it is bone dry!!!

So we go to Fast Eddies and find out they have video of every oil change. They pull up the day he was there and we proceed to watch the whole thing.
They start the drain, check the air in the tires, add some washer fluid, and then he opens the door and leaves!! No oil. Unbelievable. That's why I change my own oil. Still not sure why no lights, or why he didn't here the thing running rough before it died, but he blares his radio like a teenager even though he'll be 40 in couple of weeks.

The owner is supposed to take a look at the van today, and so far he's saying he will either replace the engine or pay him blue book value for it.

Thanks for your reply. Now we know Fast Eddie is a little too fast. My experience with the fast change oil places is none too good. While checking my air filter, they broke the corner off of the housing because there was a bolt there they did not see. Many shops have a manager that is saying: Faster, Faster! We've got to make some money. It isn't always the tech that is wrong although it would seem to be that way.

Wow! Like really WOW!

You gotta wonder about those places! I'm soooo happy that I do my oil changes myself now I'm doubly happy!!

Piper

Easy diagnosis.... difficult problem.

So....how far does a 3.8 run w/o oil? What RPMs?

I had a friend who's wife took their car in for an oil change. They put the wrong filter so in the 20 mile drive she took it emptied the crankcase and the engine locked up.

They went round and round with the oil change place....I believe that there was a used engine installed which they didn't know any history on. I believe that they should have gotten at least a rebuilt engine.

Dan

He went through their car wash, that takes a few minutes, then about a half mile down the road, which has 45 MPH speed limit. He was sitting at a red light and it just died. The engine had 166,000 on it, not sure you should expect a re-built, but at least some sort of warranty. The owner offered to put a used engine in, (from a car dealer that is notorious for selling junk cars) and to have some friend of his (who works on all his cars) put it in. My brother got a bunch of estimates for re-builds and used engines and installation at reputable places and will be haggling with the guy this week.

First they know they made the mistake. Don't let them put a used engine in it. If they are wanting to pay blue book then go that route. But for the blue book price they can put a reman unit in.. Although labor may drive the price more of the value of the van.. Tell them they broke it they can fix it or buy it.. But putting a junk motor in won't help because there are to many problems with them.. Like if the past TSB issue were ever done.. Did he not see the oil light was on though.??? Really does not matter I guess.. But i would not let them put a junk engine in.. My father was bad for that.. I always was working on his junk..