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Ford Windstar

804 messages,  Last post on Sep 24, 2012 at 2:07 PM

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Ford Windstar Cargo, Van

Messages Page 79 of 81

#775 of 804 We're back in business by metalibrarian

Oct 22, 2009 (5:27 pm)

It's very good to see this site back in operation--it's been asleep too long. Obviously some of us have this old minivan still on the road. Mine is 12 years old with 92,000 miles and I'm going to overhaul some systems to get another 4 to 6 years out of it. First of all, I'll have the rubber hoses in the cooling system changed: two radiator and two heater hoses, with new fluid. Then I'll change the transmission and power steering fluids. The brakes and tires have already been done. A thorough safety chek. The engine runs well and she smogs beautifully. What else?
 
I know people have had enough troubles with the Windstar but I've gone many a year with just oil changes needed. Knock on wood. I figure I'll put under a thousand dollars into it to bring up to snuff

#776 of 804 Re: We're back in business [metalibrarian] by jeffyscott

Oct 23, 2009 (6:56 am)

Replying to: metalibrarian (Oct 22, 2009 5:27 pm)
I never had many problems with our 1997, until it got up in the mileage range that you are reaching. Then it was head, intake, and front cover gaskets leaking. The only reason ours is still going is I had all that and more taken care of at a tech college, for the price of parts only, a couple years ago.
 
Subsequently there was power steering pump and rack.

#777 of 804 95-98 Rear Seat Removal by rwengr

Oct 23, 2009 (11:20 am)

Has anyone removed the 3rd row seat on a 95-98 Windstar. I want to expand the cargo area. Are there any potential issues? Is there a recommended procedure or does Ford say you're on your own? Thanks in advance

#778 of 804 Re: 95-98 Rear Seat Removal [rwengr] by jeffyscott

Oct 24, 2009 (7:33 am)

Replying to: rwengr (Oct 23, 2009 11:20 am)
I've put it in and out many, many times in a '97. I just fold the seat back down, pull the two release levers and slide it out the back. It is pretty heavy and bulky, so you may want two people, though I have done it myself at times.

#779 of 804 Re: 95-98 Rear Seat Removal [rwengr] by metalibrarian

Oct 24, 2009 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: rwengr (Oct 23, 2009 11:20 am)
For a long trip you might consider taking the center seat out rather than the rear seat. We did that once on a coast-to-coast round trip with three people in the Windstar. That way you can put food, drinks, games and pillows in the middle where everybody can reach them. Also plenty of leg room for whoever is in the back seat. Still some cargo area left behind the rear seat. The thing I always liked about minivans is that they are like a small family room. A comfortable way to travel with more space but not more cost than a sedan.

#780 of 804 Windshield Wiper Wind Deflector? by bigguy1960

Oct 30, 2009 (8:58 am)

I have a '95 Windstar and I am annoyed that the windshield wipers, particularly the drivers side, are nearly useless at freeway speeds - the wind lifts them so that they only clean the upper 1/3 of the sweep. Many years ago I had a VW Quantum wagon with a plastic wind deflector mounted to the arm to hold it against the windshield - I have searched all over eBay and the internet looking for an add-on for my wipers, with no luck. Maybe I'm not using the right terminology, but has anyone ever seen or bought something similar? Or found a solution to the wiper lifting problem?

#781 of 804 Re: Windshield Wiper Wind Deflector? [bigguy1960] by jeffyscott

Oct 31, 2009 (5:39 am)

Replying to: bigguy1960 (Oct 30, 2009 8:58 am)
Never had that problem myself, but you might try Bosch Icons, Trico Neoform or Rain-X Latitude wiper blades. These each have a built in "spoiler". I have found this style of blade to generally perform better for longer and they are certainly much better for winter.

#782 of 804 Radio Issues For 1999 Ford Windstar by shawnmweeks

Nov 01, 2009 (6:45 am)

My uncle took out my after market radio to fix the heater gear in the back of the dash. when he put my radio back in, it would not turn on. But i have power to it and can put in a CD and press eject on the face plate and the CD comes out. Then After i looked at it, i tried to put my original stock radio in it and it doesn't turn on, but i can put in a CD and eject it. And also the clock shows up on the stock radio when i turn my lights on. Any help with this would be great

#783 of 804 Did You disconnect battery first? by rwengr

Nov 02, 2009 (10:36 am)

If you didn't disconnect negative battery cable before removal or during installation. it you may have subjected it to intermittent power when you disconnected it or reconnected it, The radio may have accidentally been ON when you reinstalled it.
 
If the radio makes some noise, but no stations received, it may be the antenna wire is not installed or connector/wire got damaged during process.
 
If its real dry and you've experienced any static shocks lately, google the web for ESD precautions when working with electronic devices. Your typical consumer electronics for your home is designed to eliminate this problem, but when you are doing your own technician work, things are different.
 
Look for a replacement radio on the internet.

#784 of 804 Power Steering Moan? by bigguy1960

Nov 10, 2009 (9:57 am)

My '95 Windstar with a 3.8L has a power steering pump that moans - mostly when doing low-spped turns or when turning the wheel while not moving. It has plenty of fluid, and works OK, and other Ford products I've had also moaned - should I replace the pump, or just let it moan? Its not real loud, but sometimes is makes itself known when accelerating in a strainght line.

Messages Page 79 of 81

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