Will not start in the cold

2002 FORD WINDSTAR
200,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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PLUXO
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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).
Dec 31, 2017 at 7:17 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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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
Dec 31, 2017 at 10:24 AM
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PLUXO
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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).
Dec 31, 2017 at 12:22 PM
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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
Dec 31, 2017 at 12:26 PM
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PLUXO
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Tried to jump my car, nothing. Will not turn over, not even a clicking noise. I might have a voltmeter.
Dec 31, 2017 at 2:06 PM
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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
Dec 31, 2017 at 2:11 PM
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PLUXO
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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
Dec 31, 2017 at 3:16 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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do you have a voltmeter to test battery voltage?

Roy
Dec 31, 2017 at 3:21 PM
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PLUXO
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I do but the voltmeter is not working. Could you conclude anything from the video?
Dec 31, 2017 at 3:43 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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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
Dec 31, 2017 at 3:45 PM
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PLUXO
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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.
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:04 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Is the theft or security light on in the dash???

Roy
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:07 PM
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PLUXO
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Yes, the theft light is blinking.
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:22 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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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
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:31 PM
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PLUXO
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How does that happen? Is it the small little chip on the side of the key?
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:42 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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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
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:45 PM
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PLUXO
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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.
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:48 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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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
Jan 6, 2018 at 2:53 PM
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PLUXO
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Anyway to reset it? I'm looking it up and some say disconnect the negative terminal, etc.
Jan 6, 2018 at 3:24 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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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
Jan 6, 2018 at 3:38 PM
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PLUXO
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How do you know it's not my starter? Because I hear sounds when I try to start it?
Jan 6, 2018 at 3:39 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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is the starter making noise??? remember I am here and not there. you stated it makes no noise when you turned to start and the theft light is flashing?? when the car sees the theft light on, it disables the fuel pump and starting

Roy
Jan 6, 2018 at 3:41 PM
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PLUXO
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I'm pretty sure that I hear a pump or something trying to work (underneath / up front) when I try to start it, every time, that's about all I hear. The car dings with the keys in, it dings when the headlights are left on.
Jan 6, 2018 at 5:37 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC
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'Nuther feller,

I'm lot's less experienced with his modern stuff than ASEMASTER6371

They do have this thing called "Repair Guides" at the top right of our pages.

I grabbed this for you outta there (if it might do some good)

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

'Round here, if it requires wearing a jacket to be out in it, one might crank up the other car beside it, get in, and yell orders thru the cracked passenger window to the wife on what to do next!

I hope something we send you helps!

Keep us posted!

The Medic
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Jan 7, 2018 at 7:10 AM