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Ford Windstar Problems - READ ONLY

2608 messages,  Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 8:51 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van

Messages Page 102 of 262

#1007 of 2608 Followup to 951 -- 1998 Windstar GL Transmission Problems? by 98windstargl

Sep 10, 2002 (4:22 pm)

REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION
 
What do you think? I took my '98 Windstar GL in today to an independent shop that specializes in transmissions to have the transmission fluid drained/replaced and a new filter put on. I chose to do this so the contents of the pan could be examined. I hope I did not make a mistake by completely flushing it out and then replacing it but was told the contents could not be examined this way. I am pleased to say that the fluid revealed no signs of any transmission problems. This is something I wanted to know so I could decide how much of a loss I was willing to take. The mechanic suggested LubeGard automatic transmission protectant be added. The reason the suggestion was made was because he felt the problem I described was a valve sticking and was the result of time for servicing. He felt that the regular servicing and additive would probably eliminate this problem. I'll post back if it doesn't.
 
The other scenario is that this has something to do with a valve sticking or pressure within the transmission (so I'm pretty much getting the same diagnosis) but these people (Ford included) did not feel like the regular servicing or additive would help. In other words, this problem will only begin to occur more frequently and continue to get worse resulting in the need to rebuild or replace the transmission. Yikes!
 
Thank goodness no "service engine soon" lights are coming on. Well, what do you think?
 
I called Ford customer service. They offered NO assistance. They just told me to keep my receipts and that if there was a recall later only then could I be reimbursed. Penguin and others, how did you get them to help? Was it a '98 model or later? I have no extended warranty. BTW, if they built quality products to start with there wouldn't even be a need for an extended warranty.
 
REGARDING THE STALLING PROBLEM
 
I've mentioned the stalling problem. Well usually it happens when I'm at a stop. The other day it occurred in the middle of the road after I pulled out. This was very dangerous! Again, Ford offered NO assistance even though there is a TSB out on this. This is the second time I've called them about this. In order for them MAYBE to replace the part at THEIR expense, I'd have to have at least a couple hundred dollars worth of diagnostic tests done. You would think the dealership I bought this from would be more accommodating. They aren't, and Ford customer service says they can't regulate what the independent Ford dealerships charge for that. If we are in a crash because of a defective part they refuse to replace when there is a well known problem with this, then I informed them that I plan on pursuing a remedy to the full extent the law allows. Thank goodness this van has good crash test ratings and I am trained in child passenger safety (CPS). However, I'd rather not be the crash test dummies to test out my CPS skills or the van's crash test ratings!
 
On a more positive note, this van is very child seat friendly. My '98 has the ALR belts which can be "locked" without the need for a separate metal locking clip. Also, it comes with three factory installed tether anchors. I had tether anchors installed on the rear bench as well so I can move the kids around as needed. It is very roomy and comfortable not to mention the dual A/C works great!
 
I understand that the more bells and whistles a vehicle has, the more repairs one will be out. Up until now I have just accepted the tie rod ends, tires (because of the way the front end is), and a fuel pump are just quirks of this vehicle in the two years we've had it between 34K and about 60K and that if not this it would be something similar in another vehicle. However, I am NOT willing to accept the full financial responsibility of a transmission going out at 60K. It's all we can do to just make the payment much less all of these repairs. Please, can anyone offer me reassurance about the regular servicing and additive solving my transmission problem and a suggestion for getting a remedy to my stalling problem BEFORE we are involved in a crash because of it.
 
I realize this was long. Thank you so much for your time and attention to this matter.

#1008 of 2608 trans service by 5greyhounds

Sep 10, 2002 (6:23 pm)

I had a 95 GL that lasted 135K (fellow in a pickup ran a red light and totaled me) and had the transmission serviced every 60K and did not have one problem. I had it flushed, not drained. It was put under light pressure, flushed, a cleaning solvent used, that was flushed, then a re-flush and then all new transmission fluid. It ran about $175 a shot. I know there were lots of problems with the aluminium piston but when mine was totaled it was not showing any signs of going bad.
Funny though, the 99 service schedule says every 30K for the major service and ford now uses a semi-synthetic fluid.
I service mine under the heavy duty schedule and the 95 did really well and never let me down. I had the head gasket problem but other than a ground wire rusting at 100k it just ran and ran and ran. I hope my 99 does as well.

#1009 of 2608 More 2000 Windstar Problems by rayt2

Sep 11, 2002 (7:47 am)

Code 1518 "Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open"
This is the code reading I am getting for the "check engine light" on my wife's 2000 Windstar LX w/3.8 V-6, 59k on the odometer. What the heck is this ?? it doesn't seem to effect the running but the light is annoying & I'm sure it has $$$ connected to the fix!
 
ICWA & 98Windtarg: This may be your first indication of the power steering pump going bad, which will contaminate the rest of the rack system, maybe not. We had to have ours changed completely 37k and the dealer said sorry it's "out of warranty", that was a $900 repair out of pocket expense. We had the same noise/feeling you describe occur early on while in warranty but dealer said "unable to duplicate customer complaint, found all normal" I reminded them of this but all they did was drop $200 off cost of repair.
We have 59k now & just purchased a extended warranty plan that covers everything till we dump this p.o.s. FORD !
 
Ray T.

#1010 of 2608 Rear Wiper Inoperable by changccsm

Sep 14, 2002 (5:34 am)

Help!!! I just bought a 99 Windstar with 91K on it. The rear wiper works once and now does not work any more. However, the washer still works. Has anybody out there experienced this before. Is it a bad motor or a bad relay??
 
Would appreciate if somebody can give me some instruction on how to get to the motor and relay. Thank you.

#1011 of 2608 SLIDING DOOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK by mslmn

Sep 18, 2002 (9:25 am)

I posted a message (see no. 950) a while ago AND so far got no answers, so I decided to try again. Besides the door acting up, I have taken my 99 SE to be done and re done by the dealer and it is still leaking transmition fluid. I would not believe it if I had not seen it myself! Anyone with the same problems? Anyone that would care to comment?
 
Thank you.

#1012 of 2608 changccsm Rear Wiper Motor by minihal

Sep 18, 2002 (9:52 pm)

I have a 99 Windstar SEL with 50K miles and the rear windshield wiper quit working but the washer was OK. I checked the fuse and relay under the hood and they were OK. I suspected a bad motor and followed directions in my Haynes Repair manual to work on the motor. Open the liftgate, remove the two handle screws, and gently pry the 16 trim panel retaining clips (being careful to pry only at the clip locations). You may have to pry the lower retaining clip on each side of the upper trim moulding to allow room to remove the trim panel. I disconnected the electrical connector from the motor and ran two wires from the battery directly to the motor - it worked OK. I now suspect the multifunction switch on the steering column but may take it to the dealer since I don't want to risk inflating the Airbag. If you need to remove the rear motor, lift up on the wiper arm and remove the plastic cover to access the wiper arm retaining nut. Detach the nut and pull the wiper arm straight off. Detach the electrical connector from the motor and remove the three mounting bolts. Pull the wiper motor out from the liftgate.

#1013 of 2608 transmission leak by tmant

Sep 19, 2002 (12:23 pm)

I have a 2000 SE with 55K miles. Had the dealer change the transmission fluid at about 35K. Never had an oil leak or transmission fluid leak, not even a visible bit on the ground. I can only hope to keep it that way. I will being going back to the dealer soon for another fluid change.

#1014 of 2608 erratic instrument cluster lights by tmant

Sep 19, 2002 (12:33 pm)

My 2000 SE is starting to show some strange symptoms with the dash lights. I had mentioned before about my oil light not turning on for a moment. No one here has responded to it, and even the dealer has told me nothing is wrong with it and showed me 2 other WS with the same symptom.
 
So I have been living with it by waiting about 2 seconds (2 beeps from the seatbelt chime) in ON before i move it to START. The oil light would show for a few seconds and go away like I expect. Just recently, it seems to have a harder time starting (sounds like the battery is weak) and the oil light will not turn on, and the head lights blink on for a split second. So I have now waited 3 seconds for the oil light to show before I start it, and nothing funny happens.
Another strange thing that happened yesterday, I think if I start the van in about 1 second, the THEFT light blinks quickly. It looks like how it would behave if I did not use the correct key. But it drives just fine. It has a blinking pattern of like 2 slow blinks, 5 quick blinks. After a few cycles, it goes away completely.
 
I have been able to reproduce the 1st problem easily, but not the second. My only (and hopefully correct) idea of a problem is that the battery is just old and needs replacing soon. Any worse and I may have an expensive repair bill on hand (no more warranty for me). I did have to jump start about one month ago. (Stupid me, I left the radio on while I spent about 4 hours cleaning the inside of the van. Obviously too long!)
 
Anyone think that the battery really is it?

#1015 of 2608 2002 Windstar by peetert

Sep 20, 2002 (8:39 am)

Not really a problem, but a question. We bought a new '02 Windstar yesterday. The one we picked out had to be jumped since someone had left a dome light on. We drove it around for about a 1/2 test ride and it started nicely after that.
 
My question. Should I ask for a new battery or should this one be okay with a charge?
 
We're picking it up tomorrow (Saturday)
 
Peeter

#1016 of 2608 Dash lights by 5greyhounds

Sep 20, 2002 (8:24 pm)

I have a 99 SE and from reading the manual most of those lights come on as a check to make sure they are actually working. At least that is what it says in my book. It also happens on both of my other cars. I really do not think there is a problem with them, they just do that.

Messages Page 102 of 262

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