Help 99 Windstar Electrical

[wiredcpa]

I was on a short errand when I noticed that everything on the dash had stopped working. The speedometer, tach, gauges, lights on the dash were all dead. I returned home shut off the car and the blower continued to run and the head lights remained on after the switch was turned off. I restarted the car and it ran a second or two and shut off. After reviewing a post on this board I replaced the fuel pump relay and the PCM relay. Now the car will not turn over. There is no indication that power is even reaching the starter. Headlights still on. I disconnected the battery. Accessories still work, radio, pw etc. Any suggestions???

[12Ounce]

With the key "on", test the voltages on all the fuses in the same relay/fuse box that you replaced the relays in.

Use the small access test points on top of the fuses. Both sides of each fuse should read full (not a volt less than) battery voltage.

Report back with findings ... if any fuses have low voltage, determine the fuse position.

[wiswind]

Also check the battery voltage.....should be over 12V with the engine OFF. Relays act very funny when the voltage is low.

[wilmcq]

Hey the prob could be in the key itself am having the same problem now with windstar hoping to find some way to bypass the theft mode

[Goldlexus]

Originally Posted by wiswind

Also check the battery voltage.....should be over 12V with the engine OFF. Relays act very funny when the voltage is low.

I agree check out the battery. I had tons of weird things going on with my van due to my battery being below 12v. Including the theft system going nuts. Once I put in the new battery all was well. No problems since. Like you I checked out all the electrical possiblities replacing fueses and such only to find out it was something as simple as a low battery.

[fcrew]

To me it sounds like a loose ground. These vans have a negative powered ground which explains your power after shutting off the ignition. Places to check are under the hood along the rad support, right front shock tower behind the A/C bottle and also inside the van at the "A" pilar (behind the panel under the dash where your left foot would be when driving). Also check the right side "A" pilar. Make sure all grounds are clean and tight.