2000 no start

[pitteach]

I have a 2000 3.8 that decided not to start today. I haven't had a complete chance to look at it yet, but I did try and jump it and didn't even get a sound out of it. The headlights are strong and all the electrical works inside. Where should I check? Starter? Relays?
Is this a common problem on Windstars?
FYI: I'm pretty sure that the battery is original, so I immediately figured that was the problem until it would not take the jump.
Looking for directions on what and how to diagnose.
Thanks.

[Airjer_]

If all the electrical is working and the starter is not cranking the engine over you may have a starter issue. These are well know for poor connections on the start terminals (the connection of the smaller wire going to the starter). Wiggle this connection at the starter and then try to start. If it cranks over remove that connection. clean it as best you can. Apply a liberal amount of di-electric grease to both sides of the connection and reinstall. This will likely get you by until the starter fails.

If it doesn't start than check for power at the s terminal wire while somebody is turning the key to the crank position. If there is power it is likely the starter has failed.

Make sure the battery is good before shelling out the dough on the starter!! If the battery is 8 years old now is the time to replace anyways. With winter on the way (at least up north it is) your on borrowed time. No sense in getting stranded somewhere!!

[pitteach]

Problem found. The battery cable to the starter snapped off at starter connector.
It seems that the tech that replaced the tranny last week didn't bother to disconncet the starter wires and probably left it hanging by the wires. This is in addition to the O2 sensor that he also destroyed. He didn't really bother to reattach the wiring harness for the starter, 02 sensor, and I believer the coolant or oil sensor that was just hanging there. This is why I do things myself!
Anyway, I need to move the van to work on it. Any objections to just jumping a cable from the battery to the starter to get it going? Will I blow anything up including myself?
Thanks, and yes I will be replacing the battery-I don't think it owes me anything after 8 yrs.

[Airjer_]

I have done that very same thing (jump directly to the starter not hack a job!!) many times. Essentially all you are doind is bypassing the cable from the battery to the starter. Just make sure you don't ground out the jumper cables and you'll be fine.

[pitteach]

I tried jumping form the battery and made sure I had at least 12 volts. No start, but for a moment it did sound like the starter was trying to engage but very minimally. I tried to jump from another vehicle straight to the starter and still no start. Am I doing something wrong, or am I definitely looking for a starter?
Can/should I jump to the small wire connection on the starter?
What kind of voltage should I get at that small wire connection? I am guessing battery voltage when the key is turned to the start position?

I find it too coincidental that the starter would go at the exact same time the battery cable is broken. Perhaps there is a problem from the ignition switch to the starter? I have visually checked any suspect fuses.

[Airjer_]

it is quite possible that the jumper cable is not getting a good enough connection. it is also possible that the starter was going bad and drawing a lot of amperage which would make connection very hot and weak it is possible that the connection broke at that time since it had been fine previous to that day.

The smaller wire is nothing more than a twelve volt supply. When the solenoid on the starter sees the 12 volts it sends the starter into action!

[12Ounce]

Its jumping from postitive battery post to the small (red) wire connector on the motor starter that you should be doing ... nowhere else does anything, except perhaps make sparks.

I used to keep a jumper stored near the battery, that had the lower end connected permanently to the small stater motor connector. But driving thru last winters snow and road debris got it wiped off ....

[pitteach]

I jumped the van again from a known good battery to the small lead on the starter and I at least got the solenoid to engage but it doesn't turn over.
I noticed that the colored eye on the battery is now red, which I think is not good. Is it possible that this thing will not take a jump due to a bad battery? I Thought I was bypassing the old battery. Confused

Here's exactly what I did:
I hooked up + and - cables to known good battery.
I ran the + lead to the small terminal on the starter.
I ran the - lead to ground on the windstar.
Ignition in the on position.
Solenoid engages.
No start.
The + cable lead from the windstar battery is broken.
I tried touching the broken ends together and no change.

The leads on the starter are in rough shape, but I'm somewjhat confident that I'm connecting. THere is an exposed braided heavy gauge wire that runs from a nut on the starter and goes into the solenoid. It is in very rough shape.

So I know I need a battery and the starter is either shot or close to it or I just have some bad connections. I need to know what the case is before I start randomly replacing things.
Thanks for the help.

[Airjer_]

IMO I think the time you heard the starter turning really slow was the final death of the starter!

[12Ounce]

If you have a broken cable ... that might be a good place to start! Just replace it!

[pitteach]

Replaced the battery, replaced the cable--no start, but at least the solenoid kicked in. Pulled the starter, bench tested it and got smoke.
What are the chances that the battery dies, a cable breaks, and the the starter locks up all at the same time. My question is: Could one thing have caused the others? What if the broken cable shorted out and did some damage? Just curious.

[Airjer_]

I would guess that the starter was going first which sucked the life out of the battery with the repeated attempts to get it going. As far as the broken cable..... fairies, it happens all the time!