2000 Windstar won't start

[tman14]

My windstar will start and run fine until I get somewhere and stop it to go in. When I try to start it when I come out nothing happens, not even a crank, click, or anything. Battery is fine, all lights are bright, auto doors are working, locks are strong, so I don't think it is that. The weird thing is that if it sets for 45 min. or more it will start right up. This doesn't happen every time, so I don't know what is wrong. Please help.

[jd-autotech]

sounds like a bad connection @ the starter or battery maybe you even got bad battery cable(s)

[12Ounce]

The starter has a solenoid (conductor YE/LB) that is fed by fuse #105 and power contact in Relay #302 (Starter Interrupt Relay) ... both fuse and relay in the battery junction box.

The coil of relay #302 is fed by the DTR range sensor switch (must be in P or N) and the instrument cluster.

Folks have had problems with the relay and the sensor ... both easy to replace.

But when you need to get going ... you don't want to have to deal with either! You might install an in-place jumper fixed to the starter solenoid terminal (remember, YE/LB wire) run up to some convenient place near the positive battery post ... loose on the upper end. Be sure to use an insulated auto wire ... 18 ga or bigger.

Push this jumper wire against the positive battery post when all else fails ... just be sure the tranny is in P or N, the parking brakes ON, the key ON.

[tman14]

What I can't figure is why it starts after setting for a while. I'm not touching the thing and it starts like nothing at all is wrong after not doing anything 20 min. earlier. All the lights and dash lights come on just like normal, but the ignition doesn't make any sound at all (sort of like it is out of gear). I don't think the shifter is the issue because like I said before, I'm not touching one thing and it starts working again. Do the relays and sensors go in and out?

[12Ounce]

Apparently either/both can get flacky ... that's why I like the jumper.