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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 109 of 262

#1076 of 2608 Power Sliding Door Problem with 2002 Windstar by vvthiru

Jan 03, 2003 (2:10 pm)

Hi Guys,
  I am using Ford Taurus for last 5 years and
was impressed and satisfied with it's performance and hence decided
to go in for Ford Windstar as we wanted a van because of our two kids. I got a new 2002 Windstar
just two weeks back for a very good price. The sales people were desperately trying to impress me
with the Dual Automatic Power Sliding Door feature with a built-in sensors for child safety.
I initially went to Frontier Ford at San Jose and had a look at the vehicle and while trying to test the above mentioned jazzy feature my hand got
stuck in the sliding door and was not at all able to
pull my hand out and luckily the sale's guy immediately deactivated by jumping into the van pressing a switch. I had to scream for help. My
right hand little finger was badly hurt and was bleeding. To my shock they did not even carry any
on-site First Aid kit. I immediately left that premises, saying that I will get back to them later. Couple of days later we went to Capitol Ford again at San Jose and got the new 2002 Windstar as we got a very good deal. Here I did not
have the courage again to test the feature,so I asked the sales guy to test it for me and it was ok at that time. So I thought, that one particular piece ( where i got hurt ) might be defective and hence got the vehicle. But today,
while loading my infant into the van, my wife accidently closed the side door where I was and it
hit my ribs very very hard and the door did not stop or move back ( as it is supposed to do because of safety and sensors ) and I had to struggle my way out. My ribs are still paining as
I write this post. I want to know whether anybody else has faced this problem and their experience with it. What recourse I can get and from where ?
Advice would be greatly appreciated.

#1077 of 2608 Power Sliding Door Problem with 2002 Windstar by psmorganjr

Jan 03, 2003 (6:06 pm)

wthiru - you ask "What recourse I can get and from where ?" I suggest you submit a complaint to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at their web site - http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ - - - Then contact a lawyer for advice on recourse.

#1078 of 2608 96 leaky cover by hault

Jan 04, 2003 (8:22 pm)

I had a 95 Windstar. It had the timing cover gasket replaced for coolant leak. Check alldata.com for recalls on your 96. This leak was a common problem on 95's and probably 96's. The internal leak is related to the headgasket leaking internally and slowly killing the engine do to coolant being in the oil. Most of the "good will" programs expired by now. e-mail me if you need more info. I lived with a 95 Windstar bought new and bought back by FORD at age 6.

#1079 of 2608 Windstar Check engine light by 626dan

Jan 05, 2003 (3:51 pm)

Engine Light on my 99 SEL keeps going off. Had O2 sensors replaced and now mass flow sensor. Any other ideas?

#1080 of 2608 did you pull the codes? by steve_ HOST

Jan 05, 2003 (6:57 pm)

Lots of auto parts stores will now pull the codes for free. Or is that how you figured to replace the O2 and MAP sensors?
 
Steve, Host

#1081 of 2608 Oil in radiator recovery tank by laryn

Jan 09, 2003 (8:21 pm)

I have 75,300 miles on my '96 Windstar. I have found oil in my radiator recovery tank. No water is noticed in the crankcase; Am I heading for trouble with a big repair bill? What are my options.
Please help. thanks.
Larry N.

#1082 of 2608 Laryn: 96 Windstar by wijoco

Jan 09, 2003 (9:49 pm)

3.8, right? Unfortunatley, you are looking at a failed engine gasket: either a head or timing cover. Either way, it's about the same amount of labor so you may as well bank on a full upper engine gasket replacement job. The first thing to do: STOP DRIVING IT! NOW! Although you might not see antifreeze in the oil, there could be trace elements in there, or the leak could be about to increase and cause more liquid exchanges. Antifreeze contacting engine bearings will destroy them. Before you plunk down any money for repairs, be certain that you havent heard any ominous knocking or severe pinging recently; this would be a sign that your bearings are already on their way out. Has the vehicle overheated? This is another scary problem that can complicate things. I assume you have had a mechanic determine that there is indeed motor oil in the coolant, and not some other type of sludge? If so, you're looking at about a $500 to $800 repair job. You'll want to purchase a QUALITY (Fel-Pro, etc) upper engine gasket set from a parts store, plus new head and intake bolts. Find a good mechanic who's up to the task, and let him know you want all upper engine gaskets replaced. Insist that he 1.COMPLETELY drains all coolant from the motor before pulling the intake or heads 2. checks the heads+intake for straightness according to Ford specs before reassembly 3. uses YOUR gaskets and bolts you supplied (so he won't be tempted to go with the cheapest line of parts to save $$$) 4. torques all bolts according to specs and using correct procedure 5. changes oil TWICE after reassambly (to remove traces of coolant from the oil). If these steps are followed, you can probably get another 50-75,000 miles out of the van before dealing with the gaskets again. Maybe more, as many of the better aftermarket parts manufacturers have actually reingineered and improved the design of the original Ford gaskets for better longevity. One note: if your mechanic does find coolant in the oil upon intitial inspection, you might want to take a deep breath and decide just how much you really like the van. If the bearings are already contaminated, you're probably looking at a new motor in about a year, which would cost nearly the value of the van. You might be better off selling it as a mechanics special for $800-$1500 and using that money towards downpayment of a newer more reliable vehicle. Good luck!

#1083 of 2608 Need help with Center Console by cxbgmail

Jan 11, 2003 (11:34 am)

I just bought a used 1995 Windstar GL. The one option that it didn't have that I wanted was the center console.
 
Can anyone point me to (or email me at bgmailyahoo.com) a picture of a Windstar 1995 center console?
 
If I can find one in a junk yard, will it be difficult to install? How integral is it with the dash?
 
Are there any third party options I should consider instead of OEM?
 
Thanks!

#1084 of 2608 by steve_ HOST

Jan 11, 2003 (11:59 am)

Try this eBay link for a pic:

"GRAY"Center Console for "95-99" WINDSTAR.

If that doesn't look right, try a search there in the closed auctions for other photos. I don't see any for sell there in the current auctions.

Steve, Host

#1085 of 2608 New Owner by mted23

Jan 13, 2003 (7:39 am)

We purchased a 2000 Windstar SE right after Thanksgiving. We have put about 1500 miles on it and are generally happy. We got a pretty good deal on the van. It had 29,000 miles on it. Based on what I have read on this board and others we purchased the extended warranty. The only problem is the power drivers seat went out this weekend. It will be covered under the warranty. The last tank of gas was 17mpg with about 85% city driving. Does anybody out there have anything good to say about the Windstar?

Messages Page 109 of 262

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