1997 Ford Windstar

Tiny
MARHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
So I have this '97 Windstar and it is basically a no start. The day before I was experiencing some rather 'sluggish' starts, but it started. However this morning, after a short drive to the gas station, when I went to start it back up after getting gas, just nothing. I tried boosting the battery as it is quite old, and still nothing. The motor doesn't crank over, and I don't hear any effort from the starter at all either. Auxiliary power works when I set the ignition to "on", but it again is a no start. Any suggestions?
Friday, October 24th, 2008 AT 1:54 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
Since you are having slugish starts. That usually means that the battery is very low, or that the cables are loose or coroded.

You should try a new battery or having it jump started to see how it goes put the cables directly on your battery that way it will bypass it.
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Saturday, October 25th, 2008 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
MARHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
I got a boost by someone at the gas station, but not a thing. And, as far as I can tell there is no corrosion what so ever. I tried following the battery cables down to see if they lead to a junction, but it is pretty tight in there and as far as I know, there is a ground cable leading directly to the stater. Plus, like I said, there is auxilary power when I swicth ignition to on (ie. Radio, power windows, ac, heat, etc.) So I am sort of crossing out the battery as a possible fault?
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Saturday, October 25th, 2008 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
MARHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Any other possible cuases?
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
Turn the headlights on bright and have someone watch when you attempt to crank.

Do the lights dim or do they stay bright?

If they stay bright the starter isnt drawing any current so either a bad ignition switch, neutral safety switch or starter relay/solenoid will do that.

If it dims the ignition switch, neutral switch is good and the relay/solenoid may or may not be good.

So possible causes would be a bad starter, battery or solenoid.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
MARHONG
  • MEMBER
  • 22 POSTS
Thanks greatly
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,386 POSTS
No problem, get back to me with what you find out, and to inform others that may have a problem just like yours.
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Sunday, October 26th, 2008 AT 5:04 PM

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