Trouble asscelerating rough idle , ticking. dash board lites out

How long since a tune-up? Can you check for applicable trouble codes? Your obd1, you should be able to check some codes, yourself, if there are any.
To check for codes, you use a jumper wire between the A & B terminals at the datalink connector. Then, turn key just till the dash lites come on, no further. Hopefully the mil on the dash starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes. Your looking for two digit codes.
The basics for a rough idle is to check for a leak of some kind, fuel--egr--vacuum leak. Also, check and clean the throttle body and idle air system, see if it helps? There could be other issues?

Ford Windstar Starting/Stalling Problems - Car Forums at Edmunds.com

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Oct 16, 2007 - 31 posts - ‎26 authors
Learn more about Ford Windstar at the Edmunds.com Car Forums! ... I tried to startmy van on a 15 degree morning - heard a loud bang and now it won't start. Battery ....The engine will crank, start run about 5 seconds then stop. ... I have a 2003 Ford Windstar, same problem,Ford is covering up the problem.

Why My Car Won't Start? - Reasons and Solutions

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As a rough guideline, problems with the battery, alternator and starter are the most ...Before I even put the key into the ignition I hear a clicking noise on the right side ...started it and then it started making a loud clicking noise while I was driving it ..... i have a 2003 windstar ford it was clicking and wouldn't start had to get a ...

Rough Idle Engine Dies Loud Ticking!?! Please Help! - Ford Focus ...

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Nov 6, 2006 - Rough Idle Engine Dies Loud Ticking! ... down then dies and then i restart and it has no problems but the ticking continues PLEASE HELP ME ... Level Up0% Completed ... 2. my injectors are bad and the ticking sound is one of the injectors.... Another method is to turn the AM radio on to a place where there ...Missing: windstar

Ticking may be valve lifter collapsed. Rough idle and oil burning could be burnt valve and poor maintenece. Run compression test to determine condition of rings and valves.

Have the engine computer scanned for trouble codes. Misfires are from loss of fuel, spark, or compression. Check the fuel pressure, check that all spark plugs are getting spark, and if all good so far, test engine compression. Low compression in a cylinder will cause misfires and loss of power.

It could also be a vacuum leak- a loose or cracked vacuum hose or an intake gasket leak.

check for vacuum leaks in the system including leaks under the dash. Check idle speed is around 750 -950rpms

it could be that the tick over is two slow in brive,,,
set it up to tickover at 850,,950 rpm (in drive)
or it could be a gear box fult like the drive plate has a crack in it,,,letting the torque converter slap about,,,
chech tick over first,,, bont adjust tick over in gear unless the brakes are held hard on,,,

Should have On Board Diagnostic's, Check owners manual for procedure & codes

check for a lose spark plug lead or cracked elecrod insulation on spark plug

If it does not do it in park or neutral, it could be a number of things. One being a sticking Torque Converter Clutch solenoid (TCC). It could be that it needs a simple tune-up. How often does this problem happen?

You have an oil leak. Chances are the valve cover is seeping oil onto the exhaust manifold. Also the drip lite on your dash means that you are low in oil. So check the oil , add if needed. The bigger problem is that if the car is high miles. You have worn rings which is presurizing the valve cover which is causing it to seep out. It would also explain the oil indicator lite on the dash. If money is tight you just need to check the oil level once a weak and add. Milk it. Otherwise its and engine overhaul, big money. good luck.