Battery good power to the starter 2000 ford windstar radio works turn ignition on get nothing 3.8 eng. no power in engine fuse box compartment 1 relay warm & another clicks in fuse box under dash

If nothing electrical works, the problem is close to the battery.
The positive battery cable goes to the starter solenoid on the fender, then to the starter and the fuse box. There are two or three fuseable links which act like regular fuses. One of these wires could be burnt somewhere between each end.
You could also have a bad connection with either end of the ground cable.
A mechanic would use a meter or test light to check for power in the major circuits.

Why don't you suspect the ignition switch ?

Hi,
Ok first you need to make sure that the battery was put back in correctly. Positive terminal to positive battery cable.Then if that is correct, check the main fuse's right next to the battery area, they are large and square ensure non of these are broken, or fused.Check all the fuse's in the other fuse box in the engine bay area and also inside the vehicle.
Let me know how you get on.
Thanks
Jason

is there a transmission cut out switch on side of box , for reversing lights , check short ,

Thanks for choosing FixYa and welcome. Since you have power inside the car, the battery and power connection should be good. You still want to make sure you have the best possible connection because if the starter isn't getting the correct amount of volts, it won't turn. So clean your battery terminals and post to make sure. Check your ignition fuse too. It should be labeled and shouls be located in the engine compartment fuse box. You may have a bad starter if the two steps before check out. You can take a hammer or pole, just something to make contact with your starter. You want to tap it five to seven times. Then try to start the van. If it starts, you have a bad starter and need to get it changed. I am thinking it is the starter because you have been having starting problems. Hit it and see if your van will crank up. Let me know what happens.

There is a fuse, called "crank" in the fuse box. check this and there is a relay in the engine compartment.

Do you know what a starter sylonid is? it should be near the battery its round and has two or three post comeing off of it if you put your key in the ingition and turn it but don't start it and go back under the hood take a screw driver and cross the two main post on the sylonid if you van starts you need to replace that part! most likely your problem!

CHECK BATTERY VOLTAGE IT SHOULD BE 12.5 VOLTS.IF NOT BATTERY WEAK NEED CHARGING OR REPLACED.IF BATTERY GOOD.TURN IGNITION SWITCH TO ON POSITION WITH ENGINE OFF.DASH LIGHTS SHOULD LIGHT UP IF NOT.CHECK IGNITION SWITCH FUSE.IF FUSE GOOD YOU HAVE A BAD IGNITION SWITCH.IF SWITCH IS GOOD.I AM LOOKING IN FAULT IN STARTER SOLENOID OR STARTER.OR BATTERY CABLES NEED REPLACING.WARNING TURN OFF RADIO BEFORE DISCONNECTING NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE SO YOU WONT LOSE RADIO PLAYING CODE.

If you have a tester, check if you have voltage going to your starter relay. If there is none, trace back where you loose the voltage. If you have the check engine light off before attempting to start, check out the computer box and its fuse.

take off starter take it to advance or autozone they will check it free.could be starter relay or starter if battery is good. replace battery cable if they have not been changed.