98 Windstar won't start.....Help!

[ItsMeMe]

Here's my problem, I have a 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8 with the usual problems (door ajar light, interior lights, ABS light, etc) But starting about a month ago the van would sometimes not start. I drove it to pick my daughter up from school (about 5 miles) and parked and everything was fine. However when I went back to start it....nothing! It just clicks when I turn the key. It sat there for about 1 hour then started right back up. I got home and it hasn't started since. I was told to find the starter and hit it with a hammer and see if that helped. I was also told to try to pop the solenoid switch, which is located on the starter. In all honesty I'm not even sure if what I believe is the starter really is, so I'm afraid to bang on it. How big exactly would the starter be? How do I pop a solenoid switch? I'm married to a big city boy who doesn't even know how to change oil....so he's ready to junk it.

I would appreciate any suggestions anyone may have. I have also read a few things about a Neutral Safety Switch and was wondering if that could be the problem. But i'm clueless as to where it is or what to do with it. We bought this van used a little over a year ago and haven't had any problems (mechanical). It had just had a new transmission but we took it to have diagnostics on it just before it stopped working. The tech at Auto zone told us we needed a new oxygen sensor....could that be the problem?

Thanks in advance for any help! You may email me or post here, i'm sure I'll be back

MeMe

[Cottreaujl]

Well, here's a picture of what a starter looks like:

Ford Windstar Starter | Free Shipping | 1995 - 2000, 2000 - 2000, Aftermarket

[CraigRK]

Is the "click" coming from the area of the key on the steering column, or is it an audible click from the area of the soleniod/starter? (This is important.)

One thing you might try next time this happens, is with foot on brake, move the transmission gear selector from P (Park) all the way to 1, and back again, making sure you firmly set it in P at the end. Sometimes, if the transmission gear selector sensor thinks you are still in gear (like R), the vehicle will not start (safety interlock or NSS). Just moving the gearshift back and forth sometimes fixes it. I very much doubt your 02 sensor would cause your starter not to engage.

CraigRK

[Flyingjackal456]

you probably need a new starter, it is located in between the engine and radiator, towards the bottom, very easy installation and only about $80 (just make sure you connect the wires back correctly)