windstar low fuel pressure

[littlebit5796]

Changed the coil pack and now it's running fine. Thanks!

[M3 Mitch]

With the price of fuel, *if* the car needs them at all, a new fuel filter and a new O2 sensor would pay for themselves pretty quickly. Just sayin'.

[mikie1977]

i have a 2003 ford windstar it only has 10psi of fuel pressure when i turn the key on and only goes to 20psi when its started and runs like crap all the way around

[need4speed2012]

Engine running fuel pressure (28-45 psi)

Key on, engine off fuel pressure (35-45 psi)

Check the Fuel Rail Pressure (FRP) sensor

[russcw1955]

I have a 2000 Ford Windstar SEL that suddenly won't start. It has spark. It has fuel flow through the fuel filter and I checked the pressure and it was 45 PSI. The range for pressure found on the internet said 34 to 44 PSI. I think this is close enough. This is on the 3.8 L engine. This vehicle has had this sort of problem before. If I parked on a slight downhill incline with a low fuel tank it wouldn't start until I put a few more gallons in it. Then it would start right up. Not this time, and it was on level ground. Can anyone tell me if the fuel rail pressure sensor cause this no start condition? Where do I find this sensor and how can I test it? I hope someone can help.

[russcw1955]

For Mikie1977: I was told to turn the ignition switch on for 3 seconds, then off and back on again 3 to 4 times to get a more accurate reading on the fuel pum. I know on mine it first went to 18 PSI, then to 32 PSI then to 40, then finally to the high of 45 PSI. Hope this helps.

[russcw1955]

Just an update on my 2000 Ford Windstar 3.8L. Found and removed about a quart of water in the fuel tank. This took care of the starting problem.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by littlebit5796

Zea Mays, I know it has low fuel pressure because it misfires when it takes on a load, going up hill things like that.

WRONG! That is typical of an ignition problem.
And code P0303 almost certainly refers to a problem with ignition on #3 cylinder.

Don in Austin

Originally Posted by littlebit5796

Other than that it runs fine. Normal fuel pressure is between 30-40.

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Well, 35 PSI is right in the middle of the acceptable band, probably fuel pressure is not the problem.

Have to agree that the shop you used just "Easter egged" and threw a few parts at the problem, apparently just trying to get lucky.

Not to suggest changing them without checking them first, but what about your O2 sensor and air filter?

I don't know how this particular engine senses when to fire the spark, but that mechanism may be at least part of the problem.

It probably isn't. The simple and obvious should be checked first: ignition to #3 cylinder.

This is actually much cheaper than replacing something like a fuel pump based on only an erroneous hunch.

Probable bad coil pack, and/or wire(s) or spark plug. Open spark plug wire(s) will damage the coil pack over time.

The O2 sensor and air filter have no bearing on ignition misfire.

You can buy a spark tester for about $10.

Any of my three guys at my shop could diagnose this in less than 10 minutes.

Don in Austin

[Don in Austin]

Originally Posted by Don in Austin

It probably isn't. The simple and obvious should be checked first: ignition to #3 cylinder.

This is actually much cheaper than replacing something like a fuel pump based on only an erroneous hunch.

Probable bad coil pack, and/or wire(s) or spark plug. Open spark plug wire(s) will damage the coil pack over time.

The O2 sensor and air filter have no bearing on ignition misfire.

You can buy a spark tester for about $10.

Any of my three guys at my shop could diagnose this in less than 10 minutes.

Don in Austin

Hm...just realized I am replying to something 4 years old. Oh well. Hope it was educational.

Don in Austin