99 Windstar Trigger Happy Starter!

[fordvanman]

Starter kicks on randomly when in neutral or park when engine is already running. I've replaced the starter and the ignition switch already. What is the probable cause? How can I determine for sure? Please help.

[MagicRat]

Did you replace the starter solenoid? It may be defective and is causing this problem. The solenoid is s a simple electrical device mounted under the hood. Follow the thick wire from the positive terminal of the battery. This will go to the solenoid.

Sometimes the solenoid is attached to the starter, but often, it is simply bolted to the side of the engine compartment.

[12Ounce]

The starter solenoid is mounted internally on the starter on this model.

If the problem only occurs in P and N, that seems to indicate that the tranny selector position switch (the "digital range selector switch") is doing what it is supposed to do. That means that relay #302 (near battery) is either coming in "on its own" ... or is getting a false ground-signal from the instrument panel thru conductor #1419.

I would replace relay #302 with a new one for a start. If the problem persists after that, I would try pulling relay #302 after start-up, or perhaps; using voltmeter on conductor #1419 (LG/YE), check for false ground-signals. (In other words, #1419 is supposed to stay positive after start-up with tranny in N or P.)

[fordvanman]

True on the solenoid, was replaced with starter. I will start with relay number 302. If that does not produce results, I'm a little shaky on the next step. Thanks for your advice.

[northern piper]

ok 12ounce, I just gotta ask. ... Did you just pull that off the top of your head?? didja just do that job yourself?? That level of info is just freekin fantastic and I do declare you a windstar god!! (not something most would want but the level of knowledge...


you are, my friend, a huge asset to this site!

piper

[12Ounce]

Thanks for the kudos!

But I must confess that my "level of info" comes from having the wiring diagram and shop manual for the '99 close at hand. .... And the fact that just about everything has failed, at least once, and has been repaired (by me) on my 'ole Winny.

My ole Winny now is so dear to me ... I have complete faith in it, and will drive it anywhere. I don't like to do body-work, so when the doors finally fall off I guess I will give her up. But 'til that happens, she stays on the road! 275k miles and counting!

[12Ounce]

fordvanman,
I thought a bit more about your symptoms. Relay #302 is probably coming in because of an errant ground-signal on #1419 (as we've already said) ... I'm now betting this is due to bare/chaffed insulation somewhere along #1419.

I'm assuming you replaced the ignition switch with a new one ...??

[fordvanman]

Yes, brand new. I'm not sure where to locate #1419. Still think I should replace relay #302 for starters? (pun intended)

[12Ounce]

Yep ... make sure to buy new. One end of #1419 lands on the terminal/base for the coil of relay #302. You pull the relay, put tranny in N or P, turn key on and test coil terminals with voltmeter .... #1419 is the one NOT at 12v.

[Grabber5.0]

Hate to drag up an old thread, but... did you fix this? I've got the same problem (previously posted in a diff thread about the ignition switch before I replaced that). Just pulled the cover off of the relay box, came in to find this thread to see which one it was. The end of the box where the relays are has a lot of dirt in it, so much for a tight seal on the cover huh? Going to pull that relay and see how dirty the contacts are... wondering if the filth in the box is grounding the relay. That wire you called LG/YE, is that light-green/yellow?

[12Ounce]

Yes ... on the colors.

[fordvanman]

I did not fix this, however it seems to have fixed itself. How often does that happen? Sorry I can't help you. Please update if you find the solution. I have a feeling I haven't seen the end of it, even though it's been several months.

[Grabber5.0]

Well, it is so intermittent that I really can't say yet. It had not done it all day today anyway (maybe yesterday too) before I replaced the relay. It had been doing it several times a week lately though, so I could potentially feel better about it soon, but I can't call it fixed for about another six months.

Edit - 8/11/2010 - Still knocking on wood... hasn't done it in 5 days now...
12/21 - Okay to call it fixed yet? Knock, knock..

[Grabber5.0]

Never call anything fixed. :-/ The ghost in the machine visited us again a few times last month. This is so weird.