Windstar garbage arter changing sterio van will crank but wont start.checked fuses.all i done was took the batt cable off to conect amp wireing.could comp go that fast

It is hard to give a definite answer because I don't know which and how many wires were damaged...Anti theft can be a real HEADACHE.....You can begin by disconnecting battery cables..Use your VIN number for parts,Get new ignition with a programmed factory key from dealer only.....They probably blew certain fuses and or relays when this happened...Or maybe not..Install new ignition connect battery cables..,turn switch on just to check for bad fuses and relays...Disconnect battery again...replace any fuses blown...Connect battery again...( Each time you disconnect battery it resets the computer system and should clear anti theft codes..)..make sure all doors are unlocked by using door remote key fob....Now see if vehicle will crank..If all is done correctly it should start...However I don't know how much damage was done.....It may possibly be too much work to totally disengage anti theft....You could start with removing all fuses and relays related to anti theft but disconnect battery before...I DO NOT RECOMMEND trying to disable the theft system.....You may create more headaches that you want.......Begin by trying what I described just to be safe...!!....

does it have the halo around the ignition switch for anti theft? ive seen a lot of those fail and need replaced. on a side note be careful jumping the start on those vans,if the ecm doesnt start it sometimes it wont shut it off either. could be the resistor in the key too.

There is a fuse or fuseable link between the alt and battery, and the alt gets a signal from the key to activate the voltage regulator.
I would check for batt voltage at the alternator and you may need a wiring diagram to check for key voltage.

check batt terminals remove and clean both batt terminals and cables
check your ground wire to the block and clean that also inspect your batt terminals for cracks and brakes
try a jump start

if it turns over but will not start, its either theft locked or the fuel pump is bad . start by checking the fuses in the fuse box under the hood .. if there is a problem like it was jumped with the cables backward it will blow one of the 40 or 50 amp fused in the fuse box, if those are ok see if the theft light is flasing, some 98s do have trasponder keys the can loose program. if the theft light is no on and the fuses are good check the inertia switch it will shut off fuel to the engine. its located in the right front kick panel ,remove the kick panel and make sure its pushed, if all that is ok and you still think its the cables , have some one crank the engine while you wiggle the cables if it starts then and you do need to replace the cable the easyest way is to buy the cable extesions at the parts house, that is a cable end with a piece of batt, wire that has a screw fastener ,just cut the old batt, cables of strip the ends and insert into the new fastner and tighten the screw

You have a starter relay that could be bad, follow your + cable from the battery, it should lead to a small relay that looks like what is on a riding mower. If this gets cracked on the inside or the contacts are bad, this will prevent starting and a clicking sound will occur. If it's broke completely, it won't click.

its a short. check all conections,grounds . check starter for a loose or broke power or ground

First thing I would check is to see if you have power at the trigger wire of the starter motor while someone is trying to start the vehicle for you. It will be a Yellow with a light blue trace. If you do then I would check to see if the main battery cable has power to it all the time when someone is trying to crank it. If it does then I would hold a test light on the case of the starter motor and have someone try to crank it. Make sure that the ground you use for this test is on the negative battery terminal not just anywhere on the car. If the test light lights while you are cranking it then you have a bad ground. Hook up a set of jumper cables from the battery negative terminal and clamp it directly on to your starter motor and see if it starts. If you check it and the test light doesn't light up and all the other checks are good then your starter motor has failed. If one of the other tests has failed then you have a starter relay problem or something else. let me know what you find out.

check the timing and the crank sensor first and clean the battery terminals and make sure the wires on the starter is tight

THE THEFT ALARM WILL NOT ALARM THE VEHICLE TO CRANK OVER, ITS SOMETHING MECHANICAL JUST OCCURED AT THE TIME U INSTALLED THE RADIO, THE FACTORY SYSTEM IS BUILT INTO THE KEY FOR FORDS, TRY THE SPARE KEY,CHECK ALL FUSES UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE DASH U MAY HAVE BROWN A FUSE AS WELL