2001 Windstar

[vmvatbaby]

I have experienced some unusuall things going on with my wifes van and I need some help...please. 2001 Windstar 3.8. Sometimes it has a long crank before it starts, occationally her gauges go "wild" when first started (130 mph standing still/ 7000 rpm and normal idle sound/ flicker to a full take of gas when i know it is vertually empty) then they go back to normal, eratic idle once in a while at any temp. Today she started it no prob. went to a few different places shut it off, would not restart. When she rolled down the window the radio would come on, when she tried to start it, it went "click...click" and the hazzards came on. I charged the battery completely with my van removed the jumper cables and it started on its own and no issues after.....with flickering lights, hazzards, etc.....I know wierd. Got the van home and it drove beautifully, shut it off ...and started it right back up no issues. I have it running/charging at 14.11 volts it only drops to 11.4 at cranking. I have no Dummy (CIL) light, NO battery light NOTHING.........for a while every now and then my Tire PRessure light would come on and there would be no issues with tires, my brake light would come on and no issues with brakes, my ABS light would come on and nothing out of ordinary..........some times all three would some on and they would go out on their own....is this an indication the PCM is going? OR Selonoid? or Voltage Regulator? ignition?....this all is just to weird

[wiswind]

I would clean the battery terminals and cables.....the inside where the cable connects to the battery terminal.
Then, Verify the connections for the grounds to the chassis and down next to the starter.
Do the same for the big thick +cable.
This is to correct any oxidation issues that may be present in the contact areas of these items......they can look good and still not make a good electrical connection.

The connections at and next to the starter are down there where they get exposed to the elements.....like road salt......
You might want to remove the negative battery cable to avoid any arc welding accidents when working close to live connections......
Then remove and clean and connect each cable at the starter area.

It is possible that there is a voltage regulator issue......but don't go that route until you have looked over the connections I mention above.
I believe tha the voltage regulator is still inside the alternator for the 2001, but if not, someone chime in and let us know.

The not starting is also likely related to the voltage issue.
The fuel pump relay could be an issue for cranking and not starting.....but lack of voltage can cause this as well.

Cleaning up and verifying tightness (don't over tighten) of the cables as mentioned may sound basic, but it is a likely cause of the problem.....and is the cheapest thing to try.

It is also possible that the battery is failing as well.....sometimes they get intermittent.

[vmvatbaby]

Thanks I will try this out

Originally Posted by wiswind

I would clean the battery terminals and cables.....the inside where the cable connects to the battery terminal.
Then, Verify the connections for the grounds to the chassis and down next to the starter.
Do the same for the big thick +cable.
This is to correct any oxidation issues that may be present in the contact areas of these items......they can look good and still not make a good electrical connection.

The connections at and next to the starter are down there where they get exposed to the elements.....like road salt......
You might want to remove the negative battery cable to avoid any arc welding accidents when working close to live connections......
Then remove and clean and connect each cable at the starter area.

It is possible that there is a voltage regulator issue......but don't go that route until you have looked over the connections I mention above.
I believe tha the voltage regulator is still inside the alternator for the 2001, but if not, someone chime in and let us know.

The not starting is also likely related to the voltage issue.
The fuel pump relay could be an issue for cranking and not starting.....but lack of voltage can cause this as well.

Cleaning up and verifying tightness (don't over tighten) of the cables as mentioned may sound basic, but it is a likely cause of the problem.....and is the cheapest thing to try.

It is also possible that the battery is failing as well.....sometimes they get intermittent.

[RicartParts.com]

May sound funny , but , iv'e seen the same problem with a very week battery

[northern piper]

ya I'd be doing a load test on the battery. Despite the fact that it's reading the voltage it is I'd question the battery's health.