2003 Windstar Intermittant Starting Problem

[Superflex]

My wife has a 2003 Windstar that is having intermittent starting problems. It will occasionally cycle during starting with a fairly quick..... click, click, click ad will not start. After repeated attempts it will usually start and run fine, until trying to restart later........ the same symptoms. I have replaced the starter/solenoid, that did not fix it, took it to the Ford dealer, they replaced the starter/interrupt relay for $150.00, that did not fix it .............I have searched all the posts in the Windstar forum, I have checked the battery connections, they are clean and tight, could it be the ground connection to the chassis?

Please help...

[12Ounce]

I would suggest replacing, with new, the "PCM power" and the "fuel pump" relays. ... and I'm sure you've probably already read about the in-place jumper (to the starter solenoid) that is described (too) often by me.

(Keeps me starting ... nice and secure).

[Superflex]

12Ounce..............thanks for the advise, I think I have found the problem, looking over the connections in the fuse/relay assembly, I pulled what at first looked to be a fuse, but its actually a diode. One of the terminals on it was extreamly corroded and rusted, to the point where it looked impossible for it to be making an electrical connection at all, but it must have because the engine will not start without it installed. I sanded, cleaned and put some electrical anticorrosive grease on it and reinstalled it. I have cycled about 50 starts now without and problems.

[12Ounce]

That's good maintenance practice ... and I try to lube up all relay, fuse, bulb, etc bases ... and all harness and sensor connections (at least, those under the hood) as soon as I buy a new/used auto. Any device I don't recognize right away; I put a big info-search on until it's identified.

All of this makes later trouble shooting much easier ... as well as for some trouble prevention.