93 Ford Aerostar Starting Problem? HELP!?!

1993 FORD AEROSTAR
Avatar
KEVINBURRIS4
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
My mom has a 93 Ford Aerostar Van 3.0L. Recently started having starting problems. The Van runs fine and starts fine if it's been sitting for more than 20 minutes or so. If she stops to get gas, when she comes back out to start it...it won't start. I thought it was a problem where it wouldn't start when it was hot, but the other day we started it up....backed it off the trailer and parked it in the garage....5 min later it wouldn't start? She had it towed before all this to a Ford dealer and they gave her an estimate of $1000 ... They stated that the ECT, MAF, O2 sensors were all bad. And the spark plugs and wires were possibly bad. I looked all of this up and The parts are a lot cheaper elsewhere. Plus, I do have semi-descent knowledge to auto mechanics which will save her 600 dollars in labor charges. I know where everything is and how to replace all of these parts, but unsure to go ahead and change all of this. Does anyone have an idea? I was wondering if there is a fuel shutoff switch that's linked to the ignition. I thought maybe if that was bad it wasn't shutting off and it's more or less flooding it? Please, if anyone has advice....please help! Thanks.

Kevin

I forgot to be more specific about the starting itself. The van cranks over just fine. Battery and alternator are in good condition. To me it seems like a fuel problem, but I could be totally wrong. I hope you can help me.
Jan 24, 2006 at 4:15 AM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

If adding a follow-up, state whether reliable starting continued and provide any existing diagnostic findings for the separate shifting problem.

Guidance references and applicability

Source: Original question and visible replies. Owner reports and other participants' experiences are distinguished. Next steps are editorial requests for clarification or existing diagnostic findings, not a verified repair procedure or an independently confirmed component diagnosis.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
Advertisement
Avatar
MIKE LUCIUK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have experienced these same symptoms with my 89 Aerostar, 3.0L. My problem ended up being a corroded connection on one of the joints in the wiring harness that runs between the ECM and the two multi wire connectors (about 20 wires each) on the fire wall. The joints in question are encased in wrapping and are at either end of a fusible link in the circuit. Not sure which circuit it was part of but I stumbled across it one time when I was 'flexing' that part of the harness, I could hear my fuel pump relay opening and closing. I wired in a new fusible link and have not had the problem since.

Hope this helps........
Feb 2, 2006 at 8:39 AM
Avatar
KEVINBURRIS4
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Figured out the problem. It ended up being the ECT sensor. Replaced it and it starts like a charm. But now she has a more serious problem. Transmission shifts back in forth from 4th gear to Overdrive while cruising down the highway at any speed. I told her to junk it. This van is cobbled together. The guy they got it from really ripped them off. Thanks for your input though.
Feb 3, 2006 at 4:40 AM

Discussion summary

93 Ford Aerostar Starting Problem? HELP!?!

The poster described intermittent starting trouble with their mother’s 1993 Ford Aerostar 3.0L. The engine cranked normally but sometimes would not start after a short stop, while longer waits allowed it to start. The poster later reported that replacing the ECT sensor resolved the starting problem, then raised a separate transmission-shifting concern.

Reported outcome: The poster reported successful repair of the starting problem after ECT sensor replacement. The later transmission concern remained unresolved in the thread.

This is a reported repair outcome, not an independently verified diagnosis. Another participant’s wiring repair concerned a different Aerostar. The thread does not establish a connection between the sensor replacement and the transmission concern.

Read the original discussion

AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle