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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.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Van

Messages Page 160 of 261

#1590 of 2608 Re: Heater core is dead at 138K [windstarhater] by leon111

Mar 12, 2005 (8:12 pm)

Replying to: windstarhater (Feb 19, 2005 11:56 am)
I have a 1995 Windstar and hate it too. I have had nothing but problems with it from early on. I take very good care of my cars (oil chg every 3 - 6,000 miles, all scheduled maint on or before schedule, drive it gently, etc). The famous 1995 head gaskets blew once at 88,000 miles (Ford to their credit voluntarily extended the warrenty and covered it). They (gaskets) blew again at 114,000 miles. Electrical problems, wind noise, etc, etc. There is no excuse for makine a car in America that cant last 100,000 miles without extesnive engine work when the owner takes care of it. So, I broke down and got a 2005 Honda Odyssey EX - L with DVD. I got it for $3,000 of MSRP and figure it is one of the most reliable well build mini vans around. My Dad has a 1993 Acura Legend that he has smashed up twice, drove through the streets of Brooklyn and New Jersey, barely took care of and I just put $3,500 into it and it drives like a Honda Tank. The engine is strong and body has held up well. My Windstar looks like its been abandoned in a junk yard for 3 years and while I dont garage it, I do wax and clean it. That's the difference bwteeen a Ford and a Honda.

#1591 of 2608 Re: 98 Windstar, electrical problems [garyp] by gmed

Mar 13, 2005 (7:43 pm)

Replying to: garyp (Mar 06, 2005 12:55 am)
I own the same vehicle with the same problems as you mention in 1,2&3 above. The problem is most likely due to sticking door latches that become gummed up with dirt etc. Try cleaning each door latch by spraying with an aerosol de-greaser and then spray with WD40 or some other lubricant. I did the last year and the problems disappeared.

#1592 of 2608 Re: PCV update [hault] by wijoco

Mar 13, 2005 (8:57 pm)

Replying to: hault (Mar 12, 2005 4:44 pm)
If the valve cover isn't baffled, it needs to be replaced. The unbaffled cover will still pass oil through the PCV system, and cause big problems as the engine carbons up.

#1593 of 2608 Re: 98 Windstar, electrical problems [garyp] by steph210

Mar 17, 2005 (8:05 am)

Replying to: garyp (Mar 06, 2005 12:55 am)
We got a '98 windstar in october of '03. BAD IDEA. Paid 3200 at the time, but within 6 months, we had to do extensive work that set us back about 2500. Since then, we've had problems 1, 2 and 3 as you mentioned. We pulled the fuse as someone else mentioned, but was only temporary fix as the windows became inoperable at that time.
 
So now we have had overheating problem. First time in, two months ago, the thermostat was replaced which seemed to be enough. But a week ago, we had problems with overheating. Fan never kicks in and the car stalls sometimes when first started. Also sounds like something is knocking around sometimes in idle, but this is intermittent.
 
For anyone considering a windstar, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND!
 
We were told this morning that the head gasket needs to be replaced for about 2100, and that we will most likely have radiator problems in near future.
 
The van has only 80,000 miles so this is extremely disappointing. I had a 95 Buick that ran great with over 202,000 miles and i STILL sold it for 2,000 in '03.

#1594 of 2608 Re: windstar 3.8 with SES Light [luv2cruz] by windead

Mar 17, 2005 (9:50 am)

Replying to: luv2cruz (Mar 08, 2005 9:21 am)
Took the 01 windstar to the dealer for a "tapping" noise and the check engine light. Sure enough $617 later and the valve cover "BS" is done BUT WE STILL GOT THE TAPPING> Ford will hear and the bill will not get paid!

#1595 of 2608 2001 winstar SEL Surging by alaskatundra

Mar 17, 2005 (9:41 pm)

I have a 2001 Windstar SEL, so far it has been great up until now. The vehicle is surging and i do not know why. I am not too familiar with the newer cars and have not had this experience before. This is happening when the vehicle is stopped, both in park, neutral, and in drive. Can anyone out there help me out as to what is causing this?

#1596 of 2608 Re: windstar 3.8 with SES Light [windead] by wijoco

Mar 18, 2005 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: windead (Mar 17, 2005 9:50 am)
Good strategy, don't pay for the work that was done. A tapping noise would have nothing to do with the valve cover, unless you're talking about pinging or detonation. It won't suddenly go away, especially if the valves and/or pistons are coated with carbon from the burned oil. You may have to have a "decarbon" treatment done. You can also try using a product called Sea-Foam run either through the gas or vaccumed theough the PCV line with the engine running.

#1597 of 2608 Re: 2001 winstar SEL Surging [alaskatundra] by wijoco

Mar 18, 2005 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: alaskatundra (Mar 17, 2005 9:41 pm)
Any particular temp this happens? Does it stop when it warms up?

#1598 of 2608 Car Won't Start and Remote Doesn't Work by kmltig

Mar 20, 2005 (7:46 am)

We have a 2000 Windstar with about 55,000 miles on it. In December, we had a $1300 repair and last month we had a $350 repair. I am not exactly an expert on cars. I don't remember what was repaired.
 
We've had children leave lights on with the result that the car doesn't start. However, this morning, I used the remote and it didn't work. I thought maybe the battery was dead. When I got in the car to start it, the front dashboard lights came on but there was no sound from the engine.
 
Somehow I think this is serious. There were no lights on in the van. I don't recall the remote not working before when the battery went dead because of lights being left on.
 
Any ideas on what the problem might be? Thanks.
 
PS. My husband used his car and jumper cables to restart the car, but do you have any ideas on the underlying cause of the car not starting when no lights were left on?

#1599 of 2608 Help from US with my Windstar by burtiess

Mar 20, 2005 (9:15 am)

Bought a Windstar 2001 in the Netherlands (love Us cars) but in Europe the support for it is minimal (so is my english, sorry).
Having a problem with transmission (read the forum and i know i'm not alone.) but as i am Dutch it took me while to look for Tranny in stead of Transmission.....
All shifts work fine..very smooth..engine runs fine also...but from idle (i think you mean this for standing still with running engine in gear ?) the Tranny (learning) feels verry irregular and lowers the engine RPM. when pulling up it's very abrupt ....untill end of first gear..then everything is smooth again..
 
Can somebody help me out here..? Thanks !!

Messages Page 160 of 261

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