2001 Ford Windstar starting my car

TERRY RYLAND

MEMBER
2001 FORD WINDSTAR

Electrical problem
2001 Ford Windstar 6 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 118000 miles

I need to jump my battery to start the car, 4 -8 times a month. The battery goes completely dead.
I have a new battery and the alternator was teated and is working properly. Last night it would not start and when I turn the key all the lights on the dash started flashing. I had the jumpers hooked up for 5 minutes & still it would not start.

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

First thing to check is the condition of the cables, at BOTH ends! If OK, you will need to go "Parasite" hunting. Get an analog voltmeter remove the negative battery cable, attach the Black lead to the battery post, Red lead to cable end, then pull fuses one at a time, make sure there are no accessories or lights in the on position, Key off! Close the door after each fuse and check meter, when you pull the fuse for the bad curcuit, the meter will drop to 1 volt or so. Check all fuses, even under the hood. If meter does not drop, remove the battery connection from the alternator, if it drops now, the diodes are bad in the alternator. Put the fuse back in were it goes as you go so you don't forget which fuse goes were!