97 Windstar intermittent clicking/no start condition

[HighMileage230000]

It will randomly decide it doesn't want to start and then I am reduced to popping the hood and doin' 'er the old fashioned way with a screwdriver. I have taken all of the advice of attempting to start it in Neutral-nothing. Jiggling key in neutral and drive-still nothing. Power draw from battery during start is normal. It fires right up once I touch the terminals on the starter using a screwdriver so I don't know what step to take next

[serge_saati]

It's the solenoid. You need to replace the solenoid that activate the starter.

[tomj76]

There's a few things in the starting circuit that can fail. One is the key switch. Another is the transmission range selector. Of course the solenoid is yet another. All three need to work right to engage the starter. I'd start by checking the voltage at the solenoid to see if responds to the key. If it does, then it's the solenoid. If it does not, then you need to look elsewhere.

Check back through the circuit until you can determine which component is at fault. A voltmeter or indicator light will be needed to check for voltage.

If you find that it's the solenoid, check the connections from the battery before replacing it, making sure they aren't the cause.

[HighMileage230000]

Ok, so here is the latest. I was stuck at the grocery store in another one of my no-start situations. I got so mad at the van I started cycling the key on and off non stop for about a minute. It started. Hmmm....now I was confused. I began to turn the ignition a little at a time as opposed to the normal cranking motion of going all the way back and voila! Now I dont have the no-start issue anymore.

I know for a fact that this is an aftermarket ignition tumbler (original owner told me) and I am beginning to NOW think that is the problem.

[serge_saati]

When you get the problem, did you get the dashboard light ON when you tried to crank?

If not, it was really the ignition switch. When you try to start a lot, you "clean" the contact switch inside and now you repair the problem (if it was that the problem).

If it was not that the problem, the problem will come back for sure.

[HighMileage230000]

When you said dashboard lights, did you mean all of the dummy lights that come on as soon as everything powers up when the key is turned to ON? If that is what you mean, then yes, all of the lights come on as normal and all I would get would be a distinct CLICK once and then the lights would come on after the cranking attempt.

[serge_saati]

Yes, but not when you put the key to ON. When you cranking, these lights (oil, battery...) should be on.

[serge_saati]

If the cluster light were ON when you tried to crank, the problem were not the ignition switch.

It's more likely the solenoid. Sometime the switch of the solenoid is sticky or make bad contact. When you played a lot with the key, you cure it. But it may happen again.