Last weekend my husband and I came out of a store to find that my Windstar (74K miles) wouldn't start after being parked for just a few minutes. It would crank, but wouldn't turn over. After trying for a while, he let it rest for a little while and tried again and it still wouldn't start. Did this twice and still nothing. Let it rest again for a while longer, and then it started right up. Drove it home and parked it for a few minutes (just long enough to get the groceries in the house). Had more errands to run and it started right up, so we left again with the intention of leaving me in the van and keeping it running, just in case. Got back home and parked it, planning to look into it further today.
Unfortunately, the brakes on my husband's Ranger hit metal on his way home from work Thursday night, so he had to take the van to work yesterday. (Ranger is sitting in the driveway so the brakes can be replaced today.) Van started fine yesterday morning, and again when he left work headed for home, but he stopped at a convenience store and it wouldn't start when he came out. Tried the same routine as last weekend and I think he said that he got it started once but the idle speed was very low and it died when he hit the gas. Ended up calling a tow truck after an hour and a half, and now it is sitting in the driveway next to the Ranger with bad brakes....ugh! Haven't tried it yet today, but it still wouldn't start after it was towed home.
Anyway, we have some ideas about what to check but, since his son will have to come (about 40 miles) to take him for parts, I want to see if anyone can suggest anything else before he goes. So here's what we're thinking....
Fuses and relays: According to alldata.com, there seems to be quite a few possibilities related to fuel, so we're planning to check them all. If anyone could suggest ones that we could rule out or ones that are more likely, that would be great.
Fuel pump whine: Tried to listen for this and couldn't hear it, but said he couldn't be sure. Definitely couldn't hear it from inside the van and said he couldn't get out and to the rear fast enough.
IAC Valve: Had to replace it on both the 99 Ranger and the 99 Taurus that I traded for this van (Yes, I bought it used but, in my own defense, I did TRY to check it out first. Unfortunately, I have since learned...based on the report for the Taurus that I traded in...that Carfax is not as reliable as it's cracked up to be since it relies on the repair facility to actually report things.) Since it's cheap and easy to replace, I figured we may as well add the IAC to the shopping list.
At this point, since both vehicles are stuck in the driveway for the moment, we planned on picking up and trying anything and everything minor (that's cheap and easy to fix) before we take it to the dealership. We have an extended warranty (just bought the van about 6 weeks ago) but the deductible is $250, so we want to rule out anything minor and hopefully we will only have to go to the dealership if it turns out to be the fuel pump. I scoured alldata for hours last night and I'm sure I'm probably forgetting something, so I'm hoping that someone here can fill me in on anything I'm missing or offer some other suggestions before his son shows up to drag him to the auto parts store.
Thanks in advance for your help.
***EDIT*** Forgot to mention....Also checked the fuel safety switch in the back and it did not need to be reset.
02 Windstar SEL won't start - need help quickly 
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