Car won't start 97 windstar

They only have 2 bolts holding them in. Unbolt/unclip the wires from the starter and then remove those 2 bolts. Replacing it is the same process in reverse.

You'll need to crawl under the car and check for power on the small terminal of the stater with the key in the crank position. Knowing if you have power there will help to give you a direction to go in. If you don't have a test light or a multi meter, you can jump the large wire at the starter to the small wi at the stater with the key in the off position. If the starter works than you'll need to focus on wiring. If the starter doesn't work replace it.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Have you checked the stater solenoid (located on the top of the starter motor) wire for 12+ volts when the key is held in the crank position, do that first, you may have a defective starter switch.

i would check battery connections and test battery. a battery can have a bad cell and run lights but not have enough amps to spin a stater. if everything on battery is good i would suspect a bad starter

Double check your battery connections. If the battery is new and the starter makes a series of clicking noises when the key is held in the start position than you are not getting a good power supply to the starter or there is not a sufficient ground.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

check and make sure the powrr wite has a solid cconnection the check the grounds to the starter.

if the clicking noise is from the starter,you can tap the starter while someone tries to start the car.if it turns over and starts then the starter motor will need to be replaced.if you can get to the starter,using the multi-meter you can check to make sure the solenoid is getting battery voltage at the wire that gets voltage when the key is turned.if you do and you have battery voltage at the larger wire on the starter then this will also indicate the stater motor has a bad spot in it and will have to be replaced.the clicking noise is usually an indication that the solenoid is working passing the voltage to the starter armature but the starter is drawing too much amperage to turn the motor over.either way its recommended to replace the complete unit as if the solenoid is bad the motor itself will usually go bad shortly after.

call the dealer or a auto locksmith but do try the spare key first

Have you checked the battery terminals too to see if the cables are lose or having alot of acid on the terminals, if so please clean the terminals one at a time by using a wrench to unlose the bolts that hold the cables to the negative first and then to the positive cable but make sure that you do not put the wrench touching both the positive and negative battery terminals or your battery will explode putting acid all over you !!! Another thing is that does your starter ever make a clicking sound when you try to turn it over with key ? When you try to start the car with key that the car starter should make a clicking sound that engages it into the engine so to start it up. If this is not happening then it might be your starter not engaging into engine.

You may want to check some things out before actually replacing the starter.

Check the fuse in the fuse box and the relay.

There are two parts to the starter. One is the actual starter motor and the other in the starter solenoid. The solenoid moves the starter motor into place and engages it into the engine.

When you turn the key you should hear the solenoid click as it moves the starter. If you hear the click and the sound of the stater motor spinning it is just the solenoid. It can be replaced without replacing the starter motor.

If you hear the click and no sound of the starter motor trying to turn. It is the starter motor.

It check for power at the motor. Use a test light or voltage meter to see it is getting power when the key is turned.

If you are getting power you have a problem with the starter motor as you suspect already. The above may save you money.

To change the motor it is fairly simple to do. You remove the four bolts holding the motor in place, remove the electrical connections. Slide the motor out. Installation is the reverse of removal.

I am assuming you know where the starter is. On a diesel it is on the back of the engine. On a gas engine it is on the front side.

If you really want to get into it you can replace the brushes on the starter motor. Once out you open the starter and install new brushes it they appear warn and are not making contact.

If you need details I would go to the library and ask for the Bentley service manual. They will have one or can get one from another branch.

Hope this helps.