Possible starter going or false alarm?

[Vchat20]

So here's the gist of the situation: '96 3.8L V6 Windstar, rughly 115K miles give or take a thousand or two. Over the past few weeks the fuel system has been a little cranky and causing some starting problems requiring two or three cranks before it would start. According to a few mechanics it seems like the fuel pump is going. Somewhat confirming this is the fact that the fuel filter was just replaced not too long ago on top of a regular fluid flush/tuneup.

Now this really isn't the primary concern in this thread. We are just babying the fuel pump till the opportune time comes to where it can be replaced.

Thursday morning though after my mom had went to work she had tried to come home on her lunch break and do some errands and junk like she usually does. Van wouldn't start. Engine wouldn't even attempt to crank at all. Battery is well and good. We just got it replaced a few months ago tops after the last one which was well on its last legs as it was. And at the time of this issue cropping up, usual accessories, interior lights, and even headlights worked without a problem.

First thing every mechanic she talked to and any remotely competent car person said the starter was dead. I would have believed that myself but due to finances not currently allowing for a real 'instant' repair, I had decided to take and try some free tests/troubleshooting of my own to see if it is indeed the problem. Many of these I found right on this forum through a simple forum search.

Fast forward to yesterday afternoon on friday when we went down to the lot where the van has been sitting and we attempt to do some troubleshooting on it. Tried the shifting between P and N and trying to start in each position. Would have tried the bit of bypassing the ignition system and jumping the starter directly to the battery but it was low on the list of tries due to difficulty. Needless to say another idea I had read about was to merely put it in neutral, roll the van forward a few feet or so, then try to start it again. This solved the problem just fine and it cranked right over like there was no problem at all.

Now after the fact, my mom with 'advice' from another mechanic seems to still think the starter is going and should get a new one. Now this starter AFAIK is still the original from the factory. Or in the very least we never had to get it replaced since we got the van back in '01 or so. It has NEVER shown any signs of wear or age. None of that gear grinding from a stripped flywheel, etc.. Just an instantaneous dead spot in this incident, the fix mentioned, back to the way it was.

I'm curious if I am right in thinking the starter is still well and good or if the mechanic has a bit of truth going for him and it should be replaced.

Thx. =)

[garync1]

The best thing to do would be to pull the starter and have it tested.. You could have a weak starter.

[phil-l]

In my experience, if the starter is able to crank the engine without problem at least *some* of the time, it's more likely a wiring/control problem - not a problem within the starter itself.

As you noted, 'jumping' the starter directly from the battery is a good way to test this, but can be hard to do depending on how difficult the starter is to get to.

Something that might be easier to test: Can you get a voltmeter lead directly on the starter 12V connection? If it doesn't read full battery voltage while attempting to crank, there's some kind of wiring/control issue.

This test is particularly useful when turning the key *doesn't* crank the engine. If there's full voltage, it's a starter problem. If there's no voltage, the problem is elsewhere.

Of course, now is a good time to check all battery and chassis ground connections.

[Vchat20]

Well, I think I tracked down the problem to being the neutral safety switch. The starter acted up again earlier this evening and even pushing it didn't do anything. Finally I shifted gears all the way through park and 1st a number of times and put it back in neutral. kicked right over without a problem (well, it did hesitate a bit, but it was the usual hesitation from the fuel pump being about half dead. It's been doing this for over a week now.).

Question though that I'm curious about. Exactly WHERE is the NSS located? I've tried looking everywhere I can. The Haynes manual I have, I tried googling every search term I could think of. Can't find anything on it.

[busboy4]

Question though that I'm curious about. Exactly WHERE is the NSS located? I've tried looking everywhere I can. The Haynes manual I have, I tried googling every search term I could think of. Can't find anything on it.[/quote]


Hi
Looking at my electrical manual, it looks as though the "NSS" function is integral to the transmission range sensor which is located on top of the transmission, left side under the air intake assembly.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1345...11220610vMUSlZ

The power for the starting system runs through the switch allowing continuity in the park and neutral position.

[zapata_mx]

My WS95 did not starter too and the lights , radio OK, Y noted some cables at battery post were not with goog connection, just move them the blac and red ones and start normally. check your cables at battery Good luck

[96wWindstar180K]

If you should have the problem again before shifting back and forth crawl under the car with a hammer, using the wood or plastic end and while someone turns the key tap the housing with the hammer handle. This sometimes moves the armature a little and the van will start. This only identifies the problem as a dead spot on the armature or bad winding. Remember to have the car in Park and the emergency brake on. I would even block the drive wheels. Better yet put it up on jack stands, remove the wheel on the side of the starter. It may seem primative but I cant tell you how many times I have been able to drive home as opposed to being stranded.