99 windstar..won't start in cold weather

[tiredlazydog]

I am blessed with a 99 windtar that, on occasion, won't start in cold weather. It has to be biterly cold (-20F), and it needs to sit overnight, and then about one in five times it acts as if the battery is drained (only solonoid sounds).

Changed the battery to a super heavy duty...still happens.

Brought to Ford...they did nothing (except billed me $300)

Any ideas?

[wiswind]

1. Electrical connections.....check at battery and also at the starter.....even if they look clean, they could have light oxidation that could be causing enough voltage drop.
2. Defective starter assembly, perhaps when cold, the solonoid will not engage?...

You could try having someone place a voltmeter across the battery while you turn the key to "start".
Do this when it works and when it does not work. If the voltage at the battery is OK, then the battery is not the problem....most likely #1 or #2.....follow the wiring to the starter and check ALL connections.

[tiredlazydog]

Thanks for the help.

Can't see it being the starter solenoid, because most fo the time a boost works. Also, I thought about the connections too, and cleaned the battery ones. I'll take a look at the starter, but, as I said, jump starts usually work. I know the battery's good...it's my thrid one.

Personally, I think its an intermittent slow drain. Maybe condensation or frost is shorting something out and cuasing a slow drain. The problem with this, is its pretty hard to diagnose and fix. I'm thinking about rigging up a starter solonied to the ground terminal and trying to wire the solenoid to the ignition directly form the battery. That way, when I turn the car off, I'll effectively disonnect the battery. I'll lose my clock and radio presets, but...

Originally Posted by wiswind

1. Electrical connections.....check at battery and also at the starter.....even if they look clean, they could have light oxidation that could be causing enough voltage drop.
2. Defective starter assembly, perhaps when cold, the solonoid will not engage?...

You could try having someone place a voltmeter across the battery while you turn the key to "start".
Do this when it works and when it does not work. If the voltage at the battery is OK, then the battery is not the problem....most likely #1 or #2.....follow the wiring to the starter and check ALL connections.

[tweetyrjh]

I am currently having the same problem. My car is at the dealership now. I had the same probleem last year, and we could not find out what the drain was.

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by tiredlazydog

I'm thinking about rigging up a starter solonied to the ground terminal and trying to wire the solenoid to the ignition directly form the battery. That way, when I turn the car off, I'll effectively disonnect the battery. I'll lose my clock and radio presets, but...

Keep in mind that you will also lose any and all "learned" data as well as fault codes.

I would first disconnect a battery cable and monitor the drain using an ammeter. You can then decide if it changes in proportion to cold. Then you can try and pull fuses/relays until you narrow down the circuit and faulty item.

[12Ounce]

This subject was given quite an exhaustive study in the old "cartrackers forum". Don't know if it is still viewable or not. One guy did some very indepth ampere readings and analysis. I believe some posters found that a reflashing of the PCM was available to remedy problem.

This malady seemed to affect many '99's ...mine included. I did nothing but pull fuse "#6" (see glove box manual) when I remembered to. Went through several batteries. Finally bought an extra battery to carry around....never used it.

The problem just went away... on its own! Go figure.