Non Starts and Electrical Spikes

[CB Witt]

We own a 99 Windstar and live in the DC area... vehicle is used as mode of transport for wife and three kids..... Several months ago the van began to simply not start...the starter would not turn over .....jumping it helped but we thought it best to fix the problem and we replaced the alternator....then the battery and then the ignition....... Whatever the issue, it is so intermittent that the dealership can not isolate the problem

Additionally, the interior gauges sometimes shift wildly (Tach, Speed, Furl and Water temp) and the interior indicators pop on and off wildly (ABS, door, and others).......

The turn signals do not register that they are operating but the exterior signals and lights are working.....just not indicated some times......

The dealership wants to try replacing the entire panel..... but they are only guessing........

The vehicle does have an aftermarket DVD and VHS player..... I am here at work because it did not start and I decided to take it to work and let the wife and kids drive the station wagon......not only did it not start tonight but I tried jumping it that did not work... I am waiting for AAA and trying to decide a plan of action.... shooting it is not an option....HELP!

[12Ounce]

I believe (let's say ... 60% sure) that you are suffering the same malady "Cessnadriver" was suffering from.

I also recommend to you that you replace (with new ones from Ford) the relays in the battery box that supply the "PCM" and the "fuel pump". Refer to your glove box manual for relay position. (Take time and make sure you've located the right relays. Hint: They are of different sizes.)

If that doesn't work, get back to us .... but have a voltmeter so you can take some readings.

[12Ounce]

In the short term ... you might be lucky just giving the relay box a "whack"!

[CB Witt]

I will give it a shot tomorrow......now tonight I have to just get it started to get home...... Thanks...

[CB Witt]

Originally Posted by 12Ounce

I believe (let's say ... 60% sure) that you are suffering the same malady "Cessnadriver" was suffering from.

I also recommend to you that you replace (with new ones from Ford) the relays in the battery box that supply the "PCM" and the "fuel pump". Refer to your glove box manual for relay position. (Take time and make sure you've located the right relays. Hint: They are of different sizes.)

If that doesn't work, get back to us .... but have a voltmeter so you can take some readings.

What a morning..... I went to the Ford dealership and asked them to sell me the relays that supply the PCM and Fuel Pump...... They sold me an "electronic engine control" relay....... I tried to find the relay in the manual and could not......


Two questions..... is this the relay that you were referring to and how do I find its position so as to replace it..........

[12Ounce]

Look under "roadside emergencies" in the manual. The layouts for fuses and relays are given ... though they are NOT the easiest drawings in the world to read.

[CB Witt]

I have looked through the manual twice in the description section, I could not locate any fuse/relay that was identified as an electronic engine control (EEC).....

Beleive me.... I try reading before asking.......

Thanks!

[12Ounce]

We may have different editions of the glovebox manual "Owner's Guide". In mine, on page 173 there's the layout under "POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX". On page 176 there is a list, ..... fuse/relay location #304 is "powertrain control module relay". And fuse/relay Location #207 is "fuel pump relay".

[CB Witt]

The non start and instrument spikes have been identified as two seperate problems....

The non start was taken care of by replacing the ground to the starter ($80 Branch Electric-Temples Hill, MD)...

But the news on the instrument spikes was not as good..... the Dash Console has to be replaced ($700 Darcar Ford Kia-New Carrollton MD)

I can not say enough how much I appreciate the input from the boards.... Knowledge is indeed power.