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Will not start in the cold

Tiny
PLUXO
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Yesterday I started my car but it was a bit rough. It was hard to turn over, but started and stalled. Started it up again, and it stalled. Started it, revved the engine, and it stayed running. Went to the store, started up fine, and came home. Now this morning it cranked over a few times, and would not start. Turn it back to "off" and try to start it and it would not even crank. I hear a click (I believe) and then nothing. No sound like the engine is trying to start. Battery light, SEL light, and car door light come on when in accessory. I am not sure if it is too cold out to start, or if it is my battery. The temperature outside right now is -18 (Western Wisconsin).
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 7:17 AM

23 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon.

The first thing I would check is fuel pressure. You may have low pressure from a failing fuel pump.

There is a test port on the fuel rail for this. If you do not have a tester, you can rent one from a parts store.

Roy
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
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Where would the fuel rail be located? Now it does not even click, but I do hear a sound of something trying to work, coming from maybe under the hood. All the lights come on on accessory, and when in start, I get a battery light, oil light, CEL, low tire pressure light (always been on), and my van door light (always been on).
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Okay, the fuel rail is on top of the engine and is connected to the injectors.

It sounds now like the battery is low. Do you have a voltmeter to check the voltage?

In the start position, the lights will come on as it is a bulb test for the cluster.

Roy
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
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  • 71 POSTS
Tried to jump my car, nothing. Will not turn over, not even a clicking noise. I might have a voltmeter.
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 2:06 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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If you have a drained battery in this weather, it will not jump at all. Hopefully, it did not freeze the liquid in the battery.

Roy
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 71 POSTS
Hopefully this video helps! When I put the phone under the hood that was because I kept hearing a tick noise every once in a while. I really hope I can get some help on this otherwise I cannot get to work. https://vimeo.com/249268540
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Do you have a voltmeter to test battery voltage?

Roy
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
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  • 71 POSTS
I do but the voltmeter is not working. Could you conclude anything from the video?
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
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It looks like your battery is very low. Low battery voltage will also cause the noise as components try to work.

I would really help if we had some info on voltage. Can you get a meter?

Roy
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Sunday, December 31st, 2017 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 71 POSTS
Update: Bought a new battery and still nothing. Clicking in the beginning only once, but after a few turns of the key, no click, just some weird sound like a pump.
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
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Is the theft or security light on in the dash?

Roy
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 71 POSTS
Yes, the theft light is blinking.
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:22 PM
Tiny
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The key has forgotten the password from the battery being disconnected during the battery change.

Not something you can do. It has to be done by a factory tool. If you have a locksmith in your area, call them and see if they can come to you and reprogram the key. Otherwise, you will need to have it towed to a shop that can perform this repair

Roy
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
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How does that happen? Is it the small little chip on the side of the key?
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
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Yes and it communicates to the theft module. It forgets the password when power is removed and has to be programmed the password.

Roy
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
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I just looked at my key and noticed there was no chip -- that was for a different car. How do you know this is the issue? The theft light always blinked when the car worked. I don't have keyless entry, the remote is gone, and there is no key pad or anything on the car.
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:48 PM
Tiny
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You cannot see the chip. It is inside the kay.

If you have another key, try that. When the battery was disconnected it triggered the theft to lockout.

Roy
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 2:53 PM
Tiny
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Anyway to reset it? I'm looking it up and some say disconnect the negative terminal, etc.
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
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No way to reset the password without the diagnostic tool.

You can try that but I doubt it will do anything

Roy
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 3:38 PM
Tiny
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How do you know it's not my starter? Because I hear sounds when I try to start it?
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Saturday, January 6th, 2018 AT 3:39 PM

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