My 98 windstar wont start after engine replacement

can anyone help, my 1998 windstar wont start after replacing engine, it cranks but wont starts, i replace the fuel pump and nothing, it seems like no fuel going to engine, all fuses check ok, what else to check for? thks.

well this is a fairly short question for what could be a long answer. Are we to assume that you've replaced the engine yourself and now it won't start or has someone else done this and left you to solve the problem? Replacing the fuel pump is a lengthy job so I also wonder if that was a new pump, etc. Has the pump been confirmed to function properly? Is there fuel at the rail? Have you checked the fuel pump breaker located in the rear wheel well (the impact switch)?

More info please.

I'm with Northern on this. There definitely more info needed. I.e., do you hear the fuel pump run after you turn the key off to pressurize the system? Are all your lines reconnected? Fuel filter clogged? Are all the injectors connected and in the right order? Got spark?

As mentioned, fuel pump will turn ON for a short time when you turn the ignition key to the RUN position......
So....turn the key, but STOP just before the START position......and listen for the slight whine of the fuel pump for about 2 seconds.
Then.....take a rag......and remove the cap on the fuel pressure test point.
The fuel pressure test point is located at the center of the front fuel rail (the metal pipe that goes to the front 3 fuel injectors).
When you remove the cap from the fuel pressure test point.....you will see that it looks just like a tire air valve......place the rag under the test point....and press the pin in the middle of the test point IN.......you should hear air hiss.......or fuel spray out.....be careful to not spray fuel in your face.
Hopefully you will see fuel spray out......but it is possible that you have air trapped in the fuel rail......so releasing this will permit fuel to enter the fuel rail.

Once you determine that you have / don't have fuel supplied at pressure to the fuel rail, we can go from there.

If you do not hear the fuel pump run......then we will need to troubleshoot and see if it is a fuel pump problem or a problem getting voltage to the fuel pump.
There is a relay in the power distribution box (in the engine compartment) that provides power to the fuel pump. There is also a PCM power relay in the same box.

NOTE:
I was of the understanding that this is the case on newer then my '96 windstar.......however, looking at 1998, 1999 and 2000, I find no fuel pump relay listed at RockAuto, advance auto, etc.....
They all still list the CCRM as is on my '96, Advance lists it under "Miscellaneous relays" as "Relay Control Module", Rockauto and AutoZone call it "Powertrain Control Relay"......
So.....someone with a newer windstar can help more here.....as I had thought that they moved the relay for the fuel pump into the power distribution box at some point.

Problem is, just 1 wire disconnected, loose connection, blown or loose fuse or relay.....and there you sit.
Changing an engine......LOTS of opportunity for something to get bumped......or left disconnected......or a wire pinched/cut.
So.....each system will need checking......one at a time until you find the one that is not working.
The fuel system is as good of spot to start as any.....and something has you suspecting fuel.

If you have fuel pressure.......next question is if the fuel injectors getting the signals to squirt fuel.......but once you have fuel pressure, I would verify that you have spark......so you don't squirt a bunch of fuel into the cylinders with no spark to ignite it, while you check the fuel injection.

If you have (this goes back a few years) a timing light around....you could clamp the pickup to any spark plug wire.....and the timing light should flash if you have spark.
Quick and easy.

Fusion,

IF you have no fuel coming from the test port as wiswind suggested, check the initeria switch that Northern refers to. It's on the passenger rear compartment (where the stock jack and wrench are stored). If you open the door, and physically look to the right lower corner you will see a black box with a red button on top. Press this button to reset the relay. Also the fuse for the fuel pump is located in the engine compartment. Haynes manual states:

"remove the fuel pump relay (PCM Power relay) from the engine compartment fuse box (check your owner's manual for the exact location) and check for battery voltage at terminal 1 with the ignition in the OFF position. Then check for battery voltage at terminal 5 with the inigtion key in the ON position (engine NOT running)."

Included with that snippit is a diagram which I don't have scanned in, however, if you are looking at the relay plug in the box and orient yourself so that there are 2 horizontal lines and 3 vertical lines, the #1 terminal is the top horizontal line and the #5 terminal is the farthest right of the 3 vertical ones.

Hopefully it's a simple as a blown fuse or air trapped in the fuel rails that need to be purged out. Either way, good luck and keep us posted.

Mike