Questions and Answers

Ford Windstar Won't Start Sometimes Q. I have a 1996 Ford Windstar 3.8 liter fuel injected automatic with 91,000 miles, ABS A/C and cruise. I am having a problem with it and hope you can help pinpoint the problem. I am having problems with the engine not starting occasionally and sometimes the engine will run rough, like it needs a tune up. This problem is not consistent.

I went out today and the van started just fine and drove just fine. Sometimes when I drive long distances, I notice that when I go back to the van I will have the problem with it not wanting to start, or if it does start, the engine will run rough. I had a mechanic put the van on a diagnostic machine to check it out. He found no problem with the van and I spent a lot of money.

He did do an oil change and replaced a leaky hose that runs to the anti-freeze reservoir. I did have the spark (plugs?) replaced around 70,000 miles and have had the oil changed every 3,500 miles. I am thinking about taking the van to a Ford dealer, but I know it will cost a lot of money. Could you help me pinpoint this problem?

Thanks,
Randy

A. If the problem does not manifest itself when the vehicle is checked, everything will come up as okay. It needs to be checked when the problem is manifesting itself so it can be found. Intermittent problems like this can be very difficult to pinpoint due to the fact that they are not able to be duplicated on command.

When this happens we have to determine what is lost when it won't start, fuel or spark. The next time it happens, take a hose off the intake manifold and shoot some carburetor cleaner inside it. Try to start it and if it starts right up, you have a fuel problem. If it doesn't, take off a plug wire and stick an old spark plug on it. Lay it on something metal so you have a ground and crank it. There should be a nice, bright blue spark. If not, you have an ignition problem.