This Really Stunned Me !!!!!

[caryc]

I have and old 1989 Ford Aerostar that I rarely drive. Mostly it's my go to Home Depot van. I hadn't driven it in about three or four months so I thought I'd fire it up to drive to the post office this morning. It turned over fine but just would not start. Not even a cough. I even sprayed some starter fluid right into the air intake and still not even a cough, just the starter grinding away.

So, since everything on that van is so hard to get to, I figured I'd just get it towed to the Ford Service Agency. So AAA came and picked it up and I headed out first to the agency. When I got there to check it in, the guy got on his computer and looked it up since they had worked on it in the past. Then he told me that they couldn't do anything with it. He said since it's a 1989, they no longer had the equipment to scan and diagnose it. So they wouldn't even touch it.

I couldn't believe this. It's a Ford Dealership service department. He said they needed OBD1 equipment to scan it and they no longer had that equipment.

I never expected that in a million years. That why I had them take it right to a Ford Agency. I just told the AAA driver to take it back to my place. What a bummer.

 

[Big Old Boy]

I would call Ford Mo Co and ask why Ford can't fix My Ford.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I'd bet there's a shop that has the old equipment. Sometimes privately-owned/operated shops are your best bet for old stuff. I had a local shop service my 1984 F-150 for several years before I finally unloaded it to a high school senior who needed a "project vehicle" for his auto shop class.

:)

 

[Dan in MI]

Cary,

Is it back home? I'm sure we can walk you through it.

When you turn the key on (not crank just to the run/on position) can you hear the fuel pump for about 8 seconds?

I'd also call your dealership and raise a stink. OBD-I, OBD-II, doesn't mater for crank no start. That's either a lazy, or pisss poor, mechanic. You don't need codes to figure out a no start, and generally the codes don't apply for start. (and OBD-I isn't that smart to begin with)

 

[Merle1948]

You can go to Auto Zone (etc) and get a test computer for about $30. It plugs into the OBD1 test port. You will have to count the flashes, but it's not too difficult.

If ether didn't kick it off, I doubt it's a fuel problem - more likely the ignition module has retired.

 

[caryc]

Cary,

Is it back home? I'm sure we can walk you through it.

When you turn the key on (not crank just to the run/on position) can you hear the fuel pump for about 8 seconds?

I'd also call your dealership and raise a stink. OBD-I, OBD-II, doesn't mater for crank no start. That's either a lazy, or pisss poor, mechanic. You don't need codes to figure out a no start, and generally the codes don't apply for start. (and OBD-I isn't that smart to begin with)

The van is back in my driveway. I'm betting it's not getting any spark. When I sprayed the ether in the intake, it didn't even sputter. What ever happened to it happened when it was just sitting in my driveway. It's dark now but I'll go outside tomorrow and see if I can hear the fuel pump when the key is turned on. But, still, if it didn't not even sputter when the ether was sprayed directly into the intake, I wouldn't imagine it to be a fuel problem.

I did locate another shop in town that says they can work on it. If I can't get it started, I'll probably take it to them next week some time.

What really got me angry was that the van was already there up on the AAA truck and they didn't even want to look at it. I mean...they are a Ford Agency. I guess if they can't put it on a machine and get an exact diagnosis they didn't want to even bother with it. Doesn't say much for their mechanics does it? He just said "sorry, I can't help you".

I purchased this van from a co-worker for $1000 back around 2001 and it has been a good running van used only maybe once a month. I hate to see it not running.

 

[JFB]

when you say "Agency", do you mean the garage for a new car dealer?

I ran into that with GM products, I am thinking it was even for a 10 year old car. the comment was their shop was not to maintain a car that means a lost sale.

 

[caryc]

when you say "Agency", do you mean the garage for a new car dealer?

I ran into that with GM products, I am thinking it was even for a 10 year old car. the comment was their shop was not to maintain a car that means a lost sale.

Yes, Jack Gosch Ford does sell new cars. I've been taking cars to their service center for years. Jack Gosch also owns a Toyota agency with a service center right across the street.

 

[Bull Barrel]

The Harley-Davidson dealers around here wont touch anything built before a certain date.

 

[Dan in MI]

I am shocked your dealer didn't have a willing mechanic to work on it. As I said before OBD-I codes wouldn't help this issue to begin with.

I've sent you a detailed email. From what you have posted and told me I suspect it is the power relay for the engine control system. It supplies power to the controller and then in turn another relay for the fuel system. Both relays were common failures back then.

 

[Scout943]

My guess ignition module .

 

[Bull Barrel]

My 92 Dakota is OBD.
If you turn the key to on, off, on, off, on and wait the check engine light will blink the codes.
For instance 1 blink then 7 blinks is 17 meaning engine staying cold too long. And it will always blink 5 times then 5 times meaning 55, end of codes.
And it can tell you what is wrong in a no start condition such as auto shutdown relay or cam position sensor.
One reason for this Aerostar not starting could be the crank position sensor. They usually fail while sitting.

 

[gunzo]

The Harley-Davidson dealers around here wont touch anything built before a certain date.

Honda motorcycle dealers & I think others besides them & Harley are adopting the same policy. If I recall correctly, if its more than 15 years old they won't touch it. Some even claim liability issues. Saying that when something gets that old, it could be unsafe to operate. :roll:

 

[Bull Barrel]

It actually means they stopped making parts for it.

 

[Kevin]

My parents had a 1998 Dodge Ram truck, their dealer told them a few years ago they would no longer service it.

I was looking for a new used car last fall. I wanted an older BMW. Called one dealer and they said they wouldn't work on cars older than 10 years. Another dealer I called was downright rude and said they wouldn't even discuss it because of privacy. And I have no idea what they meant by that. I believe it was because I wasn't buying a car from them.

So yes, Cary, I can believe a Ford dealer wouldn't work on an older car, as crazy as that sounds. Good luck getting it running.

 

[Dave P.]

I had a car of similar vintage and if the battery was getting weak would crank ok
but the ignition would not get enough voltage to trigger the ignition and fire.
Was kind of strange deal.....I'd attach a jumper battery just for the hell of it.
Dave

 

[Bull Barrel]

Dealers are missing out on a lot of revenue. I understand close to 75% of revenue comes from the service dept.

 

[Paul B]

Dealers are missing out on a lot of revenue. I understand close to 75% of revenue comes from the service dept.

You got that right. Some yahoo broke the tail light on my new 2015 F15. Guess he had nothing better to do. Took it to the dealership and the service rep said no problen and then quoted $350 for the part and labor. :shock: I then informed him my stepson was an employee and was on his "employee's discount list". Total price? $55. for the part an np charge for the labor. Bend right over and touch your toes, the dealership shows you where it goes.
Just to add insult to injury, sticker on the truck was $45,895. I got it for $30,500 out the door tax and license. It pays to have a relative working for the dealer.
On the OP's problem. When my 98 Explorer had a problem with the engine light coming on, they hooked it up to the computer just fine. Methinks that mechanic just didn't want to bother. I'd complain loud and clear.
Paul B.

 

[Dan in MI]

When my 98 Explorer had a problem with the engine light coming on, they hooked it up to the computer just fine. Methinks that mechanic just didn't want to bother. I'd complain loud and clear.
Paul B.

'98 is OBD-II. Different animal than OBD-I

 

[Acorn]

Just a WAG did you try and start it later on in the day or in the morning?
We bought a used Ford Aerostar and the first day we had it it would not start in the morning. It would crank but wouldn't even try to start. I called the guy we bought it from and he just snickered and said wait until the afternoon. Sue enough I waited till after 12 o'clock and it started right up. The next morning I had the exact same problem and waited until after 12 and it started up again. Took it to the shop and it turned out to be a bad coolant temperature sensor. I guess the small difference in temperature in the morning and the afternoon was enough.
I don't know why you said parts are impossible to get for this vehicle.
I work at a part store and I think you could order pretty much anything you needed for this. They might not have it in stock but it still should be available.
I know it sounds weird but that's my personal experience

 

[Colonialgirl]

My parents had a 1998 Dodge Ram truck, their dealer told them a few years ago they would no longer service it.

I was looking for a new used car last fall. I wanted an older BMW. Called one dealer and they said they wouldn't work on cars older than 10 years. Another dealer I called was downright rude and said they wouldn't even discuss it because of privacy. And I have no idea what they meant by that. I believe it was because I wasn't buying a car from them.

So yes, Cary, I can believe a Ford dealer wouldn't work on an older car, as crazy as that sounds. Good luck getting it running.

OMG!!! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Does that mean I might be out of luck with my 1998 Volvo S-70 ?? :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Firearms manufacturers do the same thing. Many won't service older guns, or even keep parts for them anymore.

 

[SR1911SHOOTER]

I have and old 1989 Ford Aerostar that I rarely drive. Mostly it's my go to Home Depot van. I hadn't driven it in about three or four months so I thought I'd fire it up to drive to the post office this morning. It turned over fine but just would not start. Not even a cough. I even sprayed some starter fluid right into the air intake and still not even a cough, just the starter grinding away.

So, since everything on that van is so hard to get to, I figured I'd just get it towed to the Ford Service Agency. So AAA came and picked it up and I headed out first to the agency. When I got there to check it in, the guy got on his computer and looked it up since they had worked on it in the past. Then he told me that they couldn't do anything with it. He said since it's a 1989, they no longer had the equipment to scan and diagnose it. So they wouldn't even touch it.

I couldn't believe this. It's a Ford Dealership service department. He said they needed OBD1 equipment to scan it and they no longer had that equipment.

I never expected that in a million years. That why I had them take it right to a Ford Agency. I just told the AAA driver to take it back to my place. What a bummer.

Caryc,
We couldn't start the wife's Buick several years ago, and it turned out that a Kangaroo Rat had chewed through
the coil wire. Don't ask me why. Check the wiring on your ignition. Just a thought.
Blackie

 

[Mike J]

I would definitely contact Ford & complain. Glad you found someone who will work on it. I was thinking a mechanic who had been working on them for years could probably trouble shoot it in his sleep.

 

[Galaxiedan]

Just a WAG did you try and start it later on in the day or in the morning?
We bought a used Ford Aerostar and the first day we had it it would not start in the morning. It would crank but wouldn't even try to start. I called the guy we bought it from and he just snickered and said wait until the afternoon. Sue enough I waited till after 12 o'clock and it started right up. The next morning I had the exact same problem and waited until after 12 and it started up again. Took it to the shop and it turned out to be a bad coolant temperature sensor. I guess the small difference in temperature in the morning and the afternoon was enough.
I don't know why you said parts are impossible to get for this vehicle.
I work at a part store and I think you could order pretty much anything you needed for this. They might not have it in stock but it still should be available.
I know it sounds weird but that's my personal experience

Pretty sure the dealership will not put aftermarket parts on it. Most of the electronic parts are not available new for older vehicles. I had to put a remanufactured computer in my 91 F150 for almost the same no start problem.

 

[Chuckfish]

Most of the so called factory trained mechanics are nothing more that glorified parts changers who used to be plumbers ( no disrespect to plumbers ). Find a local garage that has real mechanics and get your van fixed.

 

[cas6969]

An OBD reader is called a paper clip. :D

 

[Dan in MI]

I would definitely contact Ford & complain. Glad you found someone who will work on it. I was thinking a mechanic who had been working on them for years could probably trouble shoot it in his sleep.

An almost 30 year old vehicle and the you're going to complain to Ford about the dealer? In 2000 would you have even thought of taking your 1970 Mach 1 to the dealer?

On the flip side he has someone who has been working on them for years trying to help, and decided to quit replying after being given some very easy things to check.

 

[exavid]

The Harley-Davidson dealers around here wont touch anything built before a certain date.

Honda motorcycle dealers & I think others besides them & Harley are adopting the same policy. If I recall correctly, if its more than 15 years old they won't touch it. Some even claim liability issues. Saying that when something gets that old, it could be unsafe to operate. :roll:

Honda's cutoff date is 10years. It's pretty stupid they've been building the GL1800 Goldwing for sixteen year now. There really isn't much difference between the 2001 and 20017 but a lot of dealers won't look at one over ten years old. Pretty crappy treatment for a nearly $30,000 motorcycle.

 

[exavid]

Most of the so called factory trained mechanics are nothing more that glorified parts changers who used to be plumbers ( no disrespect to plumbers ). Find a local garage that has real mechanics and get your van fixed.

Not always true, I've seen several bend over and there was no exposed plumber butt.