Won't start...not a mustang

[dec322]

A buddy of mine has a 1995 ford windstar that will not start. He was driving at 65 mph and it quit. Since then he cannot get it to start. The car begins to turn over but then makes a weird noise .... not consistent with turning over. I had an olds cutlass that did the same thing on the interstate. It just quit and I couldn't get it to start. Turned out to be a broken timing belt. Does this sound likely?

 

[HISSIN50]

If it doesnt make any noise at all (nothing is rotating when he tries to start it) and it just crapped it's pants while driving along, I'd check the battery cables and connections. Make sure he checks the power distribution connection (I'd bet that van has one) as well.

Has he tried to turn the motor over again after it bogs down? I wouldnt, but if he did and it turned over, that helps. With some of these cars, the TC is several parts and the cam cover can be removed. Or the cover pried a hair to allow one to see the cam turning while cranking.

That's the random thoughts.

Good luck.

 

[rd]

A 95 Windstar has a 3.8 V6 with an old school timing chain. It should be a beginning version of EEC5, OBD2, so if possible, scanning it would help.

Its distributorless, with a single coilpack with six coils.

Since you say it won't even turn over, and it quit, it may just be a battery failure or a power wiring failure. Does trying to jump it help? If so, it may just be the battery.

If you can get it turning over, basic stuff is put a timing light on it and see if sparks when it turns over. Then check the fuel rail valve to see if it has fuel.

Otherwise, just start at the battery and keep going to see where you have power.

Long shot is that it blew a head gasket and filled a cylinder with coolant. Mine did that. Drove home fine. Next morning one cyl was full of coolant so it would not even turn over.

Remove the spark plugs, drain it with the starter and put the plug back in. Should crank right up. Thats how the Ford techs move them to the service bay.....

 

[dec322]

A 95 Windstar has a 3.8 V6 with an old school timing chain. It should be a beginning version of EEC5, OBD2, so if possible, scanning it would help.

Its distributorless, with a single coilpack with six coils.

Since you say it won't even turn over, and it quit, it may just be a battery failure or a power wiring failure. Does trying to jump it help? If so, it may just be the battery.

If you can get it turning over, basic stuff is put a timing light on it and see if sparks when it turns over. Then check the fuel rail valve to see if it has fuel.

Otherwise, just start at the battery and keep going to see where you have power.

Long shot is that it blew a head gasket and filled a cylinder with coolant. Mine did that. Drove home fine. Next morning one cyl was full of coolant so it would not even turn over.

Remove the spark plugs, drain it with the starter and put the plug back in. Should crank right up. Thats how the Ford techs move them to the service bay.....

hmmm......Well, we know its getting fuel b/c we checked out the valve on the fuel rail. I might have miscommunicated above. It will turn over but it sounds kinda strange. I never tried to jump it b/c it randomly quit while driving and all the electrical stuff works fine. I'll try to look into it more tomorrow. Thanks guys.