Solved My 1995 Ford Aerostar won't start.

[GrannyO]

First, how do you get the inside motor cover off? Started the van up the other morning. Ran fine for about 10 minutes then it sputtered and cut off. Tried to keep it running by pumping the gas but it still cut off. Won't start now. Turns over good but won't catch. I ripped the inside kick panels out trying to find the inertia switch. Found it and it was okay. Don't know where to go from there. I forgot to add that it "poofs" through the air filter every once in awhile. I'm used to working on the older model cars when things weren't so complicated. I'm thinking fuel pump or coil pack. I can't get the inside cover off to check anything. Pretty soon it will be FORD FOR SALE or scrap. I need to get to the hospital for my legs are swollen and my grandson has an appointment Saturday that is very important. Please help an old Granny out. Any suggestions will be appreciated greatly.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

Do you hear the fuel pump prime up (whine for a minute) after you turn the key to "ON"? Listen by the fuel tank for the whine or humm while you have somebody turn the key to on but not start (no cranking). You should hear an "EEEEEuuuurnnnt" as the fuel pump primes up.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! There are three release latches on the inside cover. Do you have a 3.0L or 4.0L engine?

 

[GrannyO]

95 Aerostar problems

Yes, I can hear the fuel pump kick in the tank but does that mean it is really working enough to pump fuel up? When I tried to start it I was pumping the gas alot. Does fuel injection flood like a carbeuator where you smell gas? At first I thought there was a fuel problem because it tries to catch but doesn't. A car I can work on you pour gas in the carb and it takes off. I have to get that inside motor cover off to get a fuel line lose, don't I? Is your Aerostar souped up or something? I'm not real thrilled with mine now. This is actually the first thing that's happened to it in the two years I've had it. And I travel everywhere. My ohm meter quit working so I can't test anything with it. Can I check the coil pack like I used to do on older cars? Pull the wire off and watch for spark or get shocked. I live in bum Egypt with no family to help me. No ride no where. I do have a test light if it's good for anything. How can I test the fuel relay? Are all those relays the same where I can switch them? I really appreciate you answering me. Thank you

 

[GrannyO]

95 Aerostar problems

It's a 3. I found 2 latches but it seems caught right in front where the cup holder is. What am I missing? Thank you for replying.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You don't have to remove this cover. Open the hood, and then remove the front spark plug boot. Leave the vehicle in park with the electrical system on, and jump the starter solenoid (or have somebody else crank it for you). See if the spark jumps to a ground on the vehicle. If so, then remove the front plug, clean it, and adjust the spark gap. The gap of the plug increases with wear. The 1995 3.0L was the last year for a conventional coil with a cap & rotor. The 1996 started to use a coil pack without a cap & rotor.

 

[GrannyO]

95 Aerostar problems

Let me tell you what I did so far today. I wrestled the inside motor cover off and found the transmission. Good job! I got my test light and tried to reach the coil pack, yes it is a coil pack and my arms are too short and the van is too tall. There's a coil pack with 6 spark plug wires coming out of it. I've been trying to get a spark plug wire off to check for a spark and I will continue to try this. I just came in to warm up. I checked the fuses on the inside and fuse #17 is blown. It's a 10 amp fuse and according to my Ford book that came with the van, it says electronic ignition. Could it be that simple? I don't have any fuses but 5 amp so I can't change it. I'm waiting for my landlord to come home to see if he has any fuses. Any more suggestions? Is anybody coming this way anytime soon on vacation? You can come see the snow in the mountains. You could go to that ski resort right across the river in West Virginia. That one guy is from Mississippi and I lived down there for over 12 years. But now here I am broke down and disgusted. I'm going back out here to check the spark on the spark plugs. Try real hard anyway. Than you

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

If you smell gas, it's safe to assume it's pumping just fine. Do not pump the throttle when attempting to start the vehicle (any fuel injected vehicle). Either the fuel pump is working (sounds like it) or it's not, you can't mechanicly pump fuel that way.

Most of us are as broke as you are, we do the best we can to get by with our vans.

 

[GrannyO]

That's why I asked you if I would smell gas. I didn't smell any.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are you sure that it's a 3.0L? The 4.0L had a coil pack in this year. The 1996 3.0L had it in 1996. What's your production date? Maybe they made this change in mid 1995 for the coming 1996 models? As for the fuel system, check the valve on the fuel port. It looks like a tire valve. You will know if there is fuel in there if you press down on it. From what you're describing, it sounds like the fuse blew for the ignition system so there is no spark.

 

[JohnAerostarXLT]

That's why I asked you if I would smell gas. I didn't smell any.

Oh, but you did hear it, right? Then there's a good chance it's ok (and the relay is also fine).

 

[GrannyO]

I went out to check the manufacture date but it's missing. I will check further tomorrow when it's light out. Where else can I look? I know what you are talking about the fuel thing that looks like a tire valve on the rail. I'll see if gas squirts out of it tomorrow. If it does, does that put the idea of the fuel pump being bad to bed? I'm going to get estimates tomorrow on towing it to my mechanic in West Virginia. I just don't have the patience for it. I'm still checking things and trying to get it going myself but the tow truck is weighing heavy on my mind. I want to start from the beginning and see if I left anything out. Went out to warm it up and it started and ran normally for about 8-10 minutes. It bogged down like it ran out of gas and cut off. No warnings of any kind. Thank you guys for trying to help me. I caught a ride out of here for tomorrow and I'm going to get the 10 amp fuses. When we do get this mystery solved we have to post it to help other ppl with the same problems.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Don't tow it just yet. Since it was able to start, I would (partially) rule out a bad fuel pump, and ignition system. These systems might have issues such as low fuel pressure, clogged fuel filter, cracked vacuum line, bad spark plugs, cables, clogged injectors, fuel pressure regulator, etc. Let's start with one system at a time. I suspect the spark plugs being fouled up with large spark gaps. Before you make a job replacing all of the plugs, remove the front plug first just to check the condition of it. Clean the plug, and adjust the gap, then try to start it again. I would say that it will start easier, and run longer.

 

[jlh3rd]

Um....how does a van start and run fine for 10 min. with a blown ignition fuse...fouled plugs/excessive gaps make for a hardstart but can appear ok once running....except for occasional miss..just the opposite of what is stated....I've read this entire post and, the bad fuse doesnt add up......hardto make a diagnosis with contradictory symptoms.....don't know if it's a 3.0 or a 4.0

 

[GrannyO]

Hey guys, I just want to thank you for your time and expertise. My va n is now running and it didn't cost me anything to get it fixed. Remember the fuse?. 10 amp #17. I replaced that fuse and it started right up. I don't know why that fuse blew but that's a question that needs answered. I'm so happy. Be sweet. Be good. And I wish you all the luck in the world with your young lives. If I need you again, I know where you're at. Thank you again.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! We're trying to figure out how it started & ran with a blown ignition fuse. :scratch: Please post a picture of the engine or let us know what the 8th digit of the vin # is. It's a good thing that you didn't tow it to a mechanic.

 

[GrannyO]

It changed from a 3.0 to a 4.0 overnite.

You were right about it being a 4.0 and the coil pack. I had looked up the coil pack at Auto zone and they suggested it was a 3.0 because they are more common then the 4.0 When I searched for the coil pack it should've threw up a flag as to the motor size. Regular coil 3.0, coil pack 4.0. I have the vin number but the question has been answered about the motor size. Here goes anyway. 1FMDA31X8 SZA06053. I ran a vin check on it and found out the size of the motor. The report hasn't come back yet. But 10th digit "S" means 1995. Somewhere in those numbers and letters it says 4.0. Hey, if I can ever do anything for you guys to help you out just hollar. I'm a Jill of all trades-master of none. Thank you again.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounded like it was a 4.0L when you first mentioned that it had a coil pack, and it was a 1995. This thread was marked solved to make it easier for people searching for information to find a solution to a similar problem. The reason why it ran with a bad ignition fuse is still a mystery. :scratch: :shifty_ey

 

[GrannyO]

All I can figure out is the fuse blew when it cut off. That's what made it cut off. Thank you for being so helpful. I do hope that with this solved it will help other people. Who thinks to check the fuses when the van or car won't start? Besides me, of course.