99 Windstar will not start

[MatthewAO]

I would most certainly appreciate help diagnosing a starting problem with my 1999 Windstar. This is the first starting problem I've experienced with this vehicle and it has me baffled. The starter itself tests good and appears to be okay; I am suspicious if there are any system interlock(s) that may be keeping power from the starter.

Symptoms & conditions:
- the starter doesn't even engage (no sound whatsoever)
- the batter is relatively new and fully charged
- the starter was load tested at a local autoparts store; it passed all tests
- all cables, connections and terminal have been checked and cleaned
- an internal torque converter solenoid was recently replaced less than 200 miles ago
- all other systems and components are functional

Again, I would appreciate any suggustions / guidence.
Thanks.

[wiswind]

The "interlock" that would prevent the engine from turning over is part of the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS), which is located on top of the transmission. This switch provides many functions......one of which is preventing the car from starting unless the transmission is in Park or Neutral. That is the ONLY interlock (aside from the steering column...preventing the key from turning) that will prevent the engine from starting.....

IF YOU HAVE THE ANTITHEFT Option>>>>
Check Fuse #2 (in the passenger compartment fuese / relay box) which protects the Starter Interrupt Relay.
The START INERRUPT RELAY is in the passenger compartment (next to the driver's left foot) Fuse / relay box.....It is the 2nd row from the top....center of the 3 relays in my '96......but this relay is ONLY present if you have the antitheft module.....

Without the antitheft control....
Power from the ignition switch (in the steering column) goes through the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) to the Starter Motor Solonoid.....which is part of the starter.

The wire color from the ignition switch to the TRS is listed for my '96 as White/ with a pink stripe.

The wire color from the TRS to the starter solonoid for my '96 is listed as RED/ with Light Blue stripe....This wire provides the power to pull the solonoid in.

There is a RED wire that comes directly from the Battery to the Starter.....
This wire provides the power to the starter.....there is a switch in the starter that is pulled in by the solonoid to complete the circuit.
No Solonoid pull in.......No turn of the starter.

Verify that the starter has a good solid ground.

I have read a number of posts of the TRS failing.....causing shift issues with the automatic transmission....but this would be the first time that I would have read about it preventing the car from starting.

From my understanding.....and how My '96 works.....the Brake On / Off swithch (BOO) will not prevent the car from starting if it goes bad....in other words.....it should not matter if your foot is on the brake or not. The BOO switch will prevent the car from shifting out of park....with the engine ON. Also.....If the BOO switch is bad.....you will have NO brake lights. Common failure of the BOO switch.....is that one of the wires breaks off of the switch. The BOO switch is located in the passenger compartment.....on the brake pedal shaft......up under the dash board.

[12Ounce]

I suggest you install a "crutch" ... in the form of a jumper wire.

A few years ago I had trouble with my '99 not cranking. Could have been the tranny range switch, or a relay, or ...??

I decided to install a jumper wire that would jump over all the electrical crap. The insulated 16 ga jumper wire is permanently installed on the starter solenoid ... along with the small wire that is already there. It is long enough for the other end (about 1/2" insulation removed) to be located near the battery. I keep the end folded over and tucked into a short piece of hose.

Now when I have a "no crank" event: .... the ignition is turned on, the tranny placed into "P", park brake on ... I raise the hood, place the bare jumper wire end against the positive battery post.

It starts!