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Ford Windstar Problems - READ ONLY
2608 messages, Last post on Oct 27, 2006 at 8:51 PM
You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.- Your Host is kcram
What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van
#1215 of 2608 1998 Ford Windstar Sensors! by jem4258
May 12, 2003 (9:31 am)
I have just about had it! The sensors on these vans are JUNK! Mechanically, I have had problems, but nothing major so I keep telling myself that is the important thing, but it is so annoying to have the lights on all the time, or the doors locking and unlocking...now the locks don't work at all, and the alarm goes off when i open the door! I have had sensors replaced, just to have the same problem pop up a few months later. Last time I refused to change a $200.00 sensor, and the inside lights eventually went off by themselves. What does that mean...that left alone they eventually fix themselves?!? Now I am debating as to whether to take in in for the latest sensor problem, or give it time to see if it will "heal thyself"...what a racket they have going on with these. And everytime I go the Ford dealership with this problem, they say it is a sensor. I say I just had the sensor replaced...they say it must be a different one, etc., etc....Do I just give up and get rid of it, or count myself lucky it seems to be mechanically sound? HELP!
#1216 of 2608 Just poking through by fezo
May 12, 2003 (10:56 am)
and many of you make my experiences with my late, unlamented Windstall look downright tame.As bad as the engine and tranny were (how can a car company stay in business when they can't make a decent drivetrain?) far worse was the attitude at Ford. From 80 - 85,000 miles it cost me $1 per mile for repairs alone. It was no proze before that but it was going downhill os fast we dumped it as quickly as possible.
I have two Hondas now (and Ody and an Accord) and will never buy another Ford again. I think the only way Ford will get the message is for folks to do that very thing and let them know they have lost your trust!
There is no excuse either for their vehicle failures nor their attitude.
#1217 of 2608 Oh, while I'm here.... by fezo
May 12, 2003 (11:02 am)
WAS there a secret warranty on the 95 trannies? I eventually got some of my money back on the head gasket but nothing on the tranny or other engine problems.A pox on Ford!
#1218 of 2608 1998 door open sensors by flacko
May 12, 2003 (11:50 am)
Jem4258, I have the same sort of problem with my 1998. The main culprit seems to be the sliding door switch. You can buy both halves of the switch at Ford for about $40. I usually just take some contact cleaner and emory cloth and clean up the contacts about every 6 weeks (takes about 5-10 minutes) and that normally fixes it. Thank goodness for that hour or two later override feature that eventually shuts off the inside lights, or the battery would be going dead all of the time. Mechanically mine has been good...just turned 90K mostly highway. I bought an extended warranty at 60K which runs out at 100K. I plan on selling the van at about 96K so it still has some warranty left and so I don't eat the big problems (head gasket, tranny) after the warranty runs out. Don't let ford keep charging you $200 for those door sensors. Just try cleaning the contacts yourself.#1219 of 2608 SEL-Outside Temerature Reading by crd123
May 13, 2003 (5:59 am)
I have a 01 SEL and have been noticing that the temperature display has not been warming up to match the weather. It stays at around 65 when the temperature outside is around 75. Anyone experience this or has their temperature probe replaced?#1220 of 2608 Windstar by bdbomber
May 13, 2003 (7:51 pm)
A bit of advice for all Windstar owners who are having multiple problems . Swallow your pride and Dump it Now! I had a chance to dump mine(98) and was talked out of it by the dealer(lemon law). After 26 times to the shop for multiple problems I finally got rid of it before the extended warranty ended at 60k. Took a huge hit on resale value. I lost 75% after 4yrs. Ouch . I now own a Mazda Mpv and so far after 8 mos. No problems. Okay it does have a Ford Duratec Engine in it but I did my research and the Duratec is a decent engine. Face it , if the Windstar was such a good vehicle Why is Ford changing the name?#1221 of 2608 Fezo- by wholigan
May 14, 2003 (9:59 am)
Here is the link to what was offered regarding transmissions:wholigan Jul 31, 2000 4:17pm
Funny, I have an Ody now as well...
#1222 of 2608 Power Steering Problem by luv4beer
May 14, 2003 (11:53 pm)
My '99 WS began making grinding, Jurassic Park-like noises during slow speed steering. Tuffy replaced the ball joint and did an alignment. 2 weeks later - more Jurassic Park noises, but sounded slightly different. Shortly thereafter I discovered it was leaking quite a bit of fluid from the far left boot(outer tie rod?). They want to replace the power steering rack and want $700. Anyone else experience similar problems? Should I give in or get a second opinion?#1223 of 2608 luv4beer - GREAT Moniker! by wholigan
May 15, 2003 (2:07 pm)
FWIW- The "jurasic park" noises are definitely tie rod related. I had both the inner and outer tie rods replaced (at separate times) - and both times the noise was (an excellent descriptor) the "jurasic park" type.Yea, that is yet another feature on the WS - after four years you need new tie rods... Just my experience anyway!
Good Luck!
#1224 of 2608 Thanks, Wholigan by luv4beer
May 16, 2003 (6:11 am)
I guess I'll cave - anything to get rid of this psychotic T-Rex.Advertisement
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