Windstar wont start

well, this is my first post I have been lurking about trying to find some info and have found this site to be a good source of that,

here is my vehicle info
2001 windstar
3.8l engine
101,000km

anyway so my windstar after being at the beach for a while really hot day, drove home fine, shut off fine, like ususal, but when going to restart about half an hour later, proceeded to start then sputter and wouldnt stay idling. I thought it was fuel lock at first

after some searching, I found some things here to try, I pulled the fuel pump relay, the pcm relay, reseated them (stores were closed at this time)and I have a couple of questions, I did notice after pulling the fuel pump realy and breaking it and putting another same serial number relay in its place (got it from the wiper relay) the engine wouldnt even start and sputter, just crank over

so can the fuel pump relay be switched with one of the other relays? they have the same serial number, I just grabbed one from the wiper relay and put it in its place

if thats true and you can switch them out,then what I have found is that I have no fuel pressure when I poke in the schreader valve on the rail, no matter what position the key is in

I have tried the inertia switch by the jack at the back of the van and it doesnt appear to have tripped and I have tried to reset it, I dont believe the fuel filter has been changed in this van ever, is it symptomatic though for a fuel filter to get plugged and fail so quickly? I havent noticed any power loss in the last couple of days, crappy milage though

The things I am planning to troubleshoot(get new parts for) are as follows

1. new fuel pump relay
2. new fuel filter
3. new pcm relay?
4. (Gulp) new fuel pump

Sorry for such a long winded post but I would appreciate any suggestions anyone might have

thanks again
-Brett

Brett

It looks like you're looking in the correct places. Have you connected a scan tool and see if there are any codes? When you just turn the key on do you hear the fuel pump run? You should hear a sound from the fuel tank. Do you have gas in the tank? If you hear the fuel pump run do you have fuel pressure? Do you have spark?

I would think if the relay has the same number you should be able to switch them. On my 95 Windstar, the side door quit locking when it was closed after the other doors were locked. It turned out that the relay was bad. (the connection was corroded) I replaced the relay and the door locks again.

I hope some of this helps you. What area do you live in? Is it a salty area? It could be a bad ground. However, it does sound like the relay may be at fauldt because of nothing hapening when the relay was replaced.

Dan

thanks for the response dan, I think I may have tracked it down a bit, I took a hammer and banged on the tank a few times and what do you know it worked, started up no problem, having said that the next time I tried to start it it wouldnt start I had to do the same thing.

Im guessing I have some kind of a flat spot in the starter for the pump or something jamming or something, unless anyone has any other suggestions, I think Im going to pull the tank off tomorrow

anyone wanna throw a suggestion my way?

thanks again
-Brett

I would go ahead and change the pump...as that seems to be what is acting up.
Be very careful....as you will be working with gasoline fumes.....
I would buy the pump with a new "sock" filter.

welcome vernon,

My opinion is,

You've guessed right. It's a fuel delivery problem, otherwise you'd have gotten a CEL.

0. (Check for gas in the tank)

0.5 (Check for spark)

1. Have a partner throw the ign. key while your ear is close to the gas tank. If you hear nothing, replace the fuel pump.

2. If the fuel pump sounds spry, replace the fuel filter.

3. We need more information.

Karl

Before changing the fuel pump. Check for voltage at the pump conector, with the ing. on you must have 12 VDC with no pressure on the gas line.

If there is voltage at that point and the fuel pump don't go, than mut be repalced.

If you hear the pump goes and you have no gas pressure, check your gas filter for clogs & check your pressure regulator.

Also, check the fuse box for any blown fuses, ones my 95 Winstar went dead. It was a 30 amp blown fuse.

I hope this can help you.