99 Windstar Random Starting Problems

My windstar randomly won't start. I drove to the store tonight, less than a mile, ran in for less than 15 minutes, came out and the van wouldn't start. The engine won't turnover (sounded like it was choking for gas), and when it did the idle was so rough that it finally stalled out. I let the car sit for about an hour, and it started like there was never anything wrong with it. This is usually the synopsis the last five times it has done this. I definitely was running the air conditioner, tonight, but can't swear that I was the other five times. My mechanic could not get the van to duplicate this problem and no codes came up when he tested the car. He replaced the idle air control valve and this did not solve the problem. I need a quick fix. THX

Just a quick update: I replaced the fuel pump relay, MAF sensor, and the ignition valve (?), and I am still having this problem. What do I do next?

I would suspect the fuel pump relay located in the battery junction box ( black box near the battery) Get a new relay from a Ford dealership ( less than 10$ ) and replace it. Your Windstar owner manual will indicate which relay is the one for the fuel pump. Soon or later this relay will have to be replaced and fail intermittently causing that the engire can start sometime
or fail to do or stop after starting. When you turn your ignition on ( before the starter engage) you should hear the fuel pump working at the back for a few second, if not I guess that your engine will not start, and I would look at this relay.

I would suspect the fuel pump relay located in the battery junction box ( black box near the battery) Get a new relay from a Ford dealership ( less than 10$ ) and replace it. Your Windstar owner manual will indicate which relay is the one for the fuel pump. Soon or later this relay will have to be replaced and fail intermittently causing that the engire can start sometime
or fail to do or stop after starting. When you turn your ignition on ( before the starter engage) you should hear the fuel pump working at the back for a few second, if not I guess that your engine will not start, and I would look at this relay.

Thank you. I will definitely try this.

... there are other relays that can cause this condition. "PCM power relay" for one.

Thank you. I will definitely try this. I did replace the fuel pump relay and this did not solve the problem.