My Windstar2000 van starts sometimes and then nothing at all...?

Question

I replaced the battery and it still does the same thing..could it be the alternator?

When it refuses to start...I mean there is nothing there literally..no lights just nothing, i have to jump start it when it does this but on one occasion it made a funny clicking noise,,,

Answer 1

It is a possibility that it could be the alternator performing the way it should. Have your charging system tested before you replace it. If it checks out to be fine, then you have someting that is slowly draining your battery. Another thing it could be is that the safety switch on the transmission could be faulty. I have found this to be a cause for your problem. The safety switch allows the van to be started only if the shifter is in "park" or "neutral". The next time it wont start, wiggle the shifter then try to start again.

Answer 2

Are you refer to the engine fails to run or the starter is not cranking the engine......

If the starter motor works intermittently, probably there is a loose connection in the starting circuit or the solenoid assembly needs some repair.

If the engine fails to run, check your glown plug (for heating the air) and governor.

Nothing wrong to your battery and alternator!

Answer 3

I would pull those battery clamps back off and ensure they are clean and shiny. When putting them back on swing them back and forth are you push them on.. make sure they are good and tight.

If that doesn't help then you will need to do some real trouble shooting and advise to have a good book with electrical diagrams. Or take to good mechanic

Answer 4

It starts sometimes... It could be the alternater. there is a batt/alt tester you can get from the auto parts store that tells youif your battery and alt is good or bad about $6.00 or so. Or you can have the alt checked out.

Answer 5

When it doesn't do anything, do your lights work, If so it may be the starter