So I'm still looking at the '86 Aerostar with the 2.3 and 5 speed.
The ower took it in for an oil change last week, and it wouldn't start. It cranked strong, but wouldn't catch at all. They put the jumper cables on, and it started right up, so he went out and bought a new battery, and it still wouldn't start(again, it cranked strong). Put the cables on, and it started right up. So I met with him Monday to jump it and take it to the mechanic. It started right up on it's own. It's been at the mechanic's since Monday, and they can't replicate the problem. It's firing right up, even at very cold temperatures.
Any ideas?

 

Check cables and grounds

 

Would you quit looking at that thing, it belongs in a museum. Go get a 3.0L v6 instead. The 2.3L has zero advantages in a van. It does not get better fuel economy, it is not significantly easier to work on, it is not more reliable, and from the sounds of it, its not even running. You could spend a lot of time and money tracking this problem down. There are plenty of choices to be had.

 

Not in Missoula MT in January in the under $1000 category when you need a mini-van with a stickshift

 

Well now you have a reason 2 offer $600 cash 4 it,say how worried you r about it not starting lol, the prob is bound to be a minor one

 

I wouldn't get anything less than a 96.. You are looking for trouble..

 

I'm with dougielx. If thats your budget and you're fixated on this one don't be reluctant to make an lower offer. Might need 3-4 hundred for other repairs. You don't ask, you don't get.

 

Here's the deal:
The van belongs to a friend of mine who's fairly well off. His wife wants him to get rid of the "old van". He's the kind of guy who take REALLY good care of his things. He has had this van maintained to the letter for the past 10 years. He insisted on taking it to his mechanic for a (synthetic) oil change before selling it to me. When the starting problem arose, he had the mechanic install a new battery. Then he took it to an auto electric place he's been dealing with for about 20 years. They can't get it to not start. This morning, 10 below zero, it fired right up. He told me that he doesn't want me to pay him anything until the problem is figured out and fixed, at which point we'll figure out a price. The van also has 4 new tires and a full set of studded tires on rims. Since I'll be using the van to haul my tools (I do custom painting, so it's not a big load of tools) around town and I have AAA, not starting is not too big a hassle.
I appreciate the advice as to the 2.3, and to it's age, but my choices are limited to a '91 Eddie Bauer Aerostar that's being offered for sale by a guy that buys cars at auction and turns them around. Aside from not having keys, the headlights don't work, it needs new tires, and the power steering pump leaks. Also, it has all power accessories, which I hate. OR a 86 Chevy 3/4 ton van, which isn't really the kind of van I want.
So I think that it's the best I can do now. The price is right, it's not too much of a gamble, considering that I'll be able to deduct the repair cost from the final price, and I won't be hauling any boats over the mountain passes.
So...anybody got any ideas on this starting problem? Thanks

 

as dougielx suggested, check / replace the battery terminals

those lead blocks are ****

 

idk guys... the 4 bangers in our aero's allow more room for forced induction... it's been done to rangers with 4 bangers...

o/p, i couldn't even begin to guess what the problem is, other than suggesting to check for spark via pulling the plug out and holding it to the block and trying to crank it, and going from there. maybe the coil is getting moisture in it spurattically, causing it to short out? idk

 

I had the EXACT symptoms when power steering fluid was leaking into my starter