Windstar 2000 Won't Cold Start... not new

[mzarrouk]

I am new to this forum. I read most of the articles related to Windstar cold start problems. My 2000 Ford Windstar (built in Aug 1999) started giving me this problem few months ago (not related to cold weather since I live in NC). In the last couple of weeks, I had a problem starting the car in the morning (or afternoon) on a daily basis. I would start the engine and as soon as I remove my foot from the gas pedal it will stop (on idle). Even after pumping 10+ times, it doesn't work. I end up driving the car with 2 feet one on the gas and the other one on the brake (it is not fun to do it) for about 20 min or until it gets warm enough to run idle. After that, I am fine for the day and the car would run smoothly. Sometimes, when I go to a nearby store, I leave the engine running while I am at the store for 10-20 min (struggling to run of course). By the way, I've head the 'Check Engine light On' problem over a year ago with 33k miles on the van. Ford dealer fixed it by repairing the intake gasket. I don't have any light come on this time.

So far I've read many suggestions to solve the problem: Ignition Coil; Fuel Pump and/or Fuel Pump Relay; corrosion in the power leads to the starter motor; Throttle Position Sensor; ERG valve or the oxygen sensor; EGR backpressure transducer; IAC Valve.

Can someone please help me eliminate the obvious choices and keep the most relevant/possible fixes mentioned above. Thank you very much.

[ModMech]

The MOST likely source of your issue is either the IAC valve, ot the ECT sensor (Engine Coolant Temp).

The rest of the "possibilities" you mention, would NOT show up for a cold start only, and would not cause the symptoms you describe (having to feather the gas to keep it running).

However, you could very well have a vacuum leak, and even a small vacuum leak *can* under some circumstances, prevent a decent cold start.

[mzarrouk]

Thanks ModMech for your reply. Please forgive my ignorance, can you tell me what a vacuum leak is and how it could be repaired. Thanks.

Most possible causes of the cold start problem:
1. IAC valve
2. ECT Sensor
3. Vacuum Leak

[ModMech]

A vacuum leak is a split hose, or defective part that allows the engine to get air from somewhere other than from the air filter. This means that air "get into" the engine, but the computer does not "know about it", because it is a leak. This is not really high on the list of likely things, but it is on the list.

[mzarrouk]

Thanks ModMech.

Fortunately (for now) I didn't have the problem in the last 3 days which very bizarre. I am thinking about taking the van to Autozone and run few tests to see if anything comes up in their computer.

Cheers,
MZ

[fordguy1960]

I own a 00 Windstar and had the same problem you
decribed. here is what I did to solve the problem.
I took the IAC valve off (it's located on the top of the intake on the drivers side). IT has 2 5/16" bolts holding on with a plug in on the driver side end of the unit. I took WD40 and sprayed it in there to get the carbon build up out of it and my van runs fine. Just a suggestion, hope it works for you

[ModMech]

The easiest way to tell with some certainty if the issue is caused by the IAC, is that if it start right up if you *slightly* depress the accelerator, the IAC IS bad.

[FordFanMx]

I own a 00 windstar lx, very happy with unit. Recently, while driving in a highway, after 400 miles, fuel indicator went to "empty" and advertising lamp went on, 10 minutes before was reading 3/4 tank (never let fuel level run less than 1/4), no noticeable change on driving (no fuel cut off), after 10 minutes fuel measuring restarted alone (before I found a gas station) and arrived home with no problem. Next day van was scanned, advertising codes of fuel pump unit came, but pump was OK, fuel measuring went on and off oftenly. Fuel tank was washed and we cannot find any reason for it, now fuel leveling is continuously off. Checked potentiometer and reads OK. Can anyone help me?