Windstar wont start in cold

[biemer7]

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar that has been giving me trouble on cold days. The vehicle runs excellent on warm days. I have already tried dry gas. The car will crank but will not turn over. On the warm day, I can hear the fuel pump hum for 3-5 seconds before I start it. On cold days, there is no hum. Tried using a blow dryer on relays in hood compartment. Please help

[wiswind]

No hum, sounds like the fuel pump is not working.
You can look at the contacts for the fuel pump relay (in the socket).
Or just buy a new fuel pump relay. There are a few posts in this forum of that relay causing problems.
If a new relay and verified good contacts does not do it, you could try looking at the wiring to the pump....a few people have posted about hitting the fuel tank with a mallet to get the fuel pump to pump.....but If I had to do that....and the pump started to run.....I would seriously consider a new fuel pump.

[biemer7]

Which relay is that?

[irish30]

The info should be in your manual under fuses, it will be in the power distrtibution box,(fuse panel under the hood), if you need a diagram I can email one to you.

[98er]

You also may find that the relay you are interested in has the same part number as many others. Mark it and then swap it with one of the other relays and see if the problem goes away, to isolate the relay.

[biemer7]

Hey,

Thanks for the advice. I tried switching the relays. The relay I pulled out of the horn fit the fuel relay but did not change the fact that there was no hum. My old fuel relay did work in the horn spot. Something must be wrong at the fuel pump. Could the fuel pump freeze and prevent the hum or could there be another electrical connnection that has something freezing?

Thanks, John

[98er]

Everytime you turn the key to "on", the fuel pump should run for 2 seconds to prime the system. I can't imagine the fuel pump itself would freeze. If it doesn't cycle, you need to trace the circuit. The relays are always the most obvious point to start. Cycling the key should click the relay every time. If not, it ain't the pump but the relay or something prior to it. Do you have a schematic?

[biemer7]

I dont have the schematic. I did switch the relays around and determined the relays are not the problem. Like you said, maybe its something prior to the relay
John

[12Ounce]

Also swap around (or replace) the PCM power relay ... as it is part of the fuel pump drive.

[biemer7]

Thanks, Iguess the pcm thing is interchangeable with the others in the relay box?

[12Ounce]

All four relays of that size are of the same design ... yes.

[biemer7]

PCM relays are all okay. Any other possibilities or am I off to the mechanic?

John

[phil-l]

Off chance here...

Will it finally start in the cold, after lots of cranking?

Does holding the gas pedal partway down manually make a difference?

[12Ounce]

Also, have you tried the Schraeder test valve on the fuel rail to make sure you don't have fuel?