My 03 7.3 shuts off while driving. It's not water. It is like turning the key off.

first of all, check the fuel pump relay to see if it is going bad. if it is ok! also try this, Have a person turn key to on,, and put your hand on bottom of fuel tank. if the pump is turning on, you will feel a vibration in tank. you may have to do this a few times. the pump only turns on for a few seconds to pressurize system, or to get fuel to the engine. just keep turning key on and off to recycle fuel pump. Good-Day! Hope this helps! relay for pump may be bad.< Check this first.

You have to manually spin every component the belt drives/turns to make sure one is not seized before installing a new belt.

try replscing the key.

kindly run a scan on the car to be sure if its the gasket that is faulty.

If you are driving the car and it wont start after driving awhile. Do a wiggle on the CKP (crank position sensor) this sensor is located at the front main engine pulley, I am seeing a lot of loose male to female connection shut car off.

I can sell you a shop manual ans wiring book for $25 plus postage or you can go to our website.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/

1. Drain the cooling system. Refer to Section 03-03 for the procedure.
   

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).
   

1. Remove the generator drive belt, water pump and power steering pump drive belt, and the A/C compressor drive belt (if equipped). Refer to Section 03-05 for the removal procedures.
   

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
   

1. Use Strap Wrench D85L-6000-A or equivalent to hold the water pump pulley (8509) while removing the four water pump pulley bolts.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the water pump pulley from the water pump (8501).
   

1. Remove the crankshaft pulley (6312). Refer to the procedure in this section.
   

1. Remove the five lower engine front cover bolts and the lower engine front cover (6019).
   
   
   
   
   

1. NOTE: Make a note of the location of the one water pump stud/bolt for ease of installation.
   
   Remove the six water pump bolts.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the water pump.
   

Installation

1. NOTE: Ensure the mating surfaces between the water pump and the cylinder block (6010) are cleaned of any sealant material.
   
   Install a continuous 2.0-3.0mm (0.079-0.118 inch) wide bead of Gasket Maker E2AZ-19562-B or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G348-A5, on the water pump and position the water pump on the cylinder block.
   
   
   
   
   

1. NOTE: Refer to the note made during removal for the location of the stud/bolt.
   
   Install the six water pump bolts. Tighten the water pump bolts to 16-21 Nm (12-15 lb-ft).
   

1. Position the water pump pulley on the water pump and install the four water pump pulley bolts.
   

1. Use Strap Wrench D85L-6000-A or equivalent to hold the water pump pulley, and tighten the four water pump pulley bolts to 16-21 Nm (12-15 lb-ft).
   

1. Install the lower engine front cover and the five lower engine front cover bolts. Tighten the five lower engine front cover bolts to 3-5 Nm (27-44 lb-in).
   

1. Install the crankshaft pulley. Refer to the procedure in this section.
   

1. Lower the vehicle.
   

1. Install and adjust the generator drive belt, water pump and power steering pump drive belt, and the A/C compressor drive belt (if equipped). Refer to Section 03-05 for the installation and adjustment procedures.
   

1. Connect the battery ground cable.
   

1. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Section 03-03 for the procedure.
   

1. Start the engine (6007) and check for leaks.
   

VAG suffer greatly with a signal failure to ECU that brings the choke on when cold. Your fault is text book of this.

Follow the top radiator hose to where it meet the engine, at that point you will see a sensor, it has 4 wires and is held in by a horseshoe clip. This is the water coolant sensor, replace it and you'll be happy again :o)

go here too http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/ Section 03-01: Engine 1996 Villager Workshop Manual IN-VEHICLE SERVICE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Water Pump Removal Water Pump Removal Drain the cooling system. Refer to Section 03-03 for the procedure. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301). Remove the generator drive belt, water pump and power steering pump drive belt, and the A/C compressor drive belt (if equipped). Refer to Section 03-05 for the removal procedures. Raise and support the vehicle. Use Strap Wrench D85L-6000-A or equivalent to hold the water pump pulley (8509) while removing the four water pump pulley bolts. Remove the water pump pulley from the water pump (8501). Remove the crankshaft pulley (6312). Refer to the procedure in this section. Remove the five lower engine front cover bolts and the lower engine front cover (6019). NOTE: Make a note of the location of the one water pump stud/bolt for ease of installation. Remove the six water pump bolts. Remove the water pump. Installation NOTE: Ensure the mating surfaces between the water pump and the cylinder block (6010) are cleaned of any sealant material. Install a continuous 2.0-3.0mm (0.079-0.118 inch) wide bead of Gasket Maker E2AZ-19562-B or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G348-A5, on the water pump and position the water pump on the cylinder block. NOTE: Refer to the note made during removal for the location of the stud/bolt. Install the six water pump bolts. Tighten the water pump bolts to 16-21 Nm (12-15 lb-ft). Position the water pump pulley on the water pump and install the four water pump pulley bolts. Use Strap Wrench D85L-6000-A or equivalent to hold the water pump pulley, and tighten the four water pump pulley bolts to 16-21 Nm (12-15 lb-ft). Install the lower engine front cover and the five lower engine front cover bolts. Tighten the five lower engine front cover bolts to 3-5 Nm (27-44 lb-in). Install the crankshaft pulley. Refer to the procedure in this section. Lower the vehicle. Install and adjust the generator drive belt, water pump and power steering pump drive belt, and the A/C compressor drive belt (if equipped). Refer to Section 03-05 for the installation and adjustment procedures. Connect the battery ground cable. Fill the cooling system. Refer to Section 03-03 for the procedure. Start the engine (6007) and check for leaks.

Check the load reduction relay. I had this happen twice and repaired twice on my TDI mk IV. It throws no codes and almost has to be witnessed by a mechanic to be believed.

3.0L or 3.8L engine?

please rate as fixed if this solves your issue.

Section 03-01B: Engine, 3.8L 1996 Windstar Workshop Manual
IN-VEHICLE SERVICE Water Pump SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED Description Tool Number Fuel Line Disconnect Tool Set T90T-9550-S
Removal

1. Drain engine cooling system. Refer to Section 03-03 .
   

1. Loosen drive belt tensioner (6B209) and remove drive belt (8620). Refer to Section 03-05 .
   

1. Raise vehicle on hoist. Refer to Section 00-02 .
   

1. Disconnect lower radiator hose (8286) from radiator lower hose tube (8291) and radiator (8005).
   

1. Disconnect radiator lower hose tube from water pump (8501).
   

1. Remove lower nut on both front engine support insulators (6038).
   

1. Lower vehicle.
   

1. Disconnect battery ground cable (14301). Refer to Section 14-01 .
   

1. Remove generator (GEN) (10346) from power steering pump support (3C511).
   

1. Position drain pan and disconnect power steering pressure line from power steering pump (3A674) using Fuel Line Disconnect Tool Set T90T-9550-S.
   

1. Remove power steering reservoir filler cap.
   

1. CAUTION: If using a prying device to assist in water pump removal, be careful not to damage the mating surfaces.
   Disconnect water bypass hose (8597) and oil cooler hose (6B850) from heater water outlet tube (18663).
   

1. Remove retaining bolts and disconnect heater water outlet tube from water pump.
   

1. Remove A/C bracket brace.
   

1. Attach engine lifting eye to left-hand (front) exhaust manifold (9430).
   

1. Attach lifting equipment to engine lifting eye and raise front of engine approximately 51 mm (2.0 inches) to provide necessary clearance for water pump removal.
   

1. Remove water pump pulley retaining bolts and water pump pulley (8509).
   

1. Remove drive belt tensioner pulley retaining bolt and drive belt tensioner pulley (6B217) from power steering pump support.
   

1. Remove power steering pump support retaining bolts and nut. Place power steering pump and support assembly aside in a position to prevent fluid leakage.
   

1. Remove water pump retaining bolts and nuts and water pump. Discard used water pump housing gasket (8507).
   

Installation

1. NOTE: Lightly oil all bolt and stud bolt threads before installation except those specifying special sealant.
   
   Clean gasket surfaces on water pump and engine front cover (6019).
   

1. NOTE: The threads of the No. 1 engine front cover retaining stud must be coated with Pipe Sealant with Teflon® D8AZ-19554-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSK-M2G350-A2 before installing.
   
   NOTE: Gasket and Trim Adhesive D7AZ-19B508-B or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M2G52-A is recommended to hold the water pump housing gasket in position.
   
   Position a new water pump housing gasket on water pump housing sealing surface.
   

1. Position water pump on the engine front cover. Install retaining bolts.
   

1. Position power steering pump support and install retaining nuts and bolts. Tighten bolts and nuts to 40-55 Nm (30-40 lb-ft).
   

1. Install drive belt tensioner pulley and retaining bolt. Tighten bolt to 70-95 Nm (52-70 lb-ft).
   

1. Install A/C bracket brace.
   

1. Position water pump pulley on water pump hub and install retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 8.0-11.5 Nm (71-101 lb-in).
   

1. Lower engine and disconnect lifting equipment from lifting eye.
   

1. Remove lifting eye from exhaust manifold.
   

1. Connect heater water outlet tube to water pump and install retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 8-11.5 Nm (71-101 lb-in).
   

1. Connect water bypass hose and oil cooler hose to heater water outlet tube. Tighten clamps securely.
   

1. Connect power steering pressure line to power steering pump fitting.
   

1. Install power steering reservoir filler cap.
   

1. Install generator to power steering pump support. Refer to Section 14-02 .
   

1. Connect battery ground cable. Refer to Section 14-01 .
   

1. Raise vehicle on hoist. Refer to Section 00-02 .
   

1. Install lower nut on front engine support insulators and tighten retaining nut to 88-119 Nm (65-87 lb-ft). Install lower nut of rear engine support insulator and tighten to 77-104 Nm (56-76 lb-ft).
   

1. Connect radiator lower hose tube to water pump. Install retaining bolt and tighten securely.
   

1. Connect lower radiator hose to radiator lower hose tube and radiator. Position hose clamps securely. Refer to Section 03-03 .
   

1. Lower vehicle.
   

1. Position drive belt over drive belt tensioner and release drive belt tensioner. Refer to Section 03-05 .
   

1. CAUTION: This engine has aluminum cylinder heads (6049) and requires a special corrosion inhibiting coolant to avoid cooling system damage. Refer to Section 03-03 for the coolant specifications.
   Fill and bleed cooling system with specified coolant.
   

1. Fill power steering pump reservoir with specified fluid.
   

1. Start engine and check for coolant and power steering fluid leaks. Service as necessary.
   
   
   Water Pump