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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 7 of 262

#53 of 2608 1999 Ping'n Problem by nohorn

May 24, 2000 (6:03 am)

I have a 1999 Windstar and began to notice a worsening pinging problem at around 16k to 18k miles. It's most noticeable when cruising at 40-50 mph under light load with hot engine and hot ambient Tucson temperature (rattles like a jar of marbles). Took to dealer at around 20k miles and they "solved" the problem by replacing a "bad" mass-air-flow sensor; however, there was no improvement in the pinging. Took back to dealer and they did a caustic soak to remove what they "suspect" is carbon build-up in the cylinder heads. Said it was due to "bad gas". This too resulted in no significant improvement. On the same visit they also reset the computer and loaded what they described as an "octane-corrective setting". Sent letters to Ford customer service but so far have not received a viable explanation nor a satisfactory fix. However, they did get in touch with my dealer and, as the latest shotgun attempt to solving this problem, suggested that the dealer remove the heads to de-scale the "suspected" carbon deposits. This sounds awful fishy to me. Why would they op to go to this extreme to remove suspected carbon??? I believe there is something more fundamentally wrong which Ford is not yet willing to reveal. I'll keep you informed as to the progress and if anyone has had a similar experience or knows what the real problem is, please inform me!

#54 of 2608 2000 Vibrations-Drivers Seat/Steering Wheel by nsimon

Jun 01, 2000 (2:12 am)

Just purchased model SE 4 nights ago & are already experiencing problems. My greatest concern is while the car is idling waiting at stops I noticed that the drivers seat & steering wheel vibrate!! This is very irritating and pray there is a solution, or is this just the nature of the beast? Other problems include the manual sliding door doesnt disengage properly & makes a squeaky noise while trying to release it when locked in the open position (the int. trim around the door is coming apart--most likely related). Didnt realize the difference in height of the brake/gas pedals which make them uncomfortable and am also unable to to find a comfortable driving position. Lastly, there are numerous scratches on the surface of the body paint and window glass. Unfortunately, all these items went unnoticed during the test drive. Has anyone else experienced these problems and how were they resolved??? With all these problems right from the start I fear we may have purchased a lemon. Thanks for any and all suggestions!

#55 of 2608 RE:grinding sound on 2000 windstar by lanny3

Jun 12, 2000 (12:29 am)

We have a 2000 Windstar and have recently at about 2700 miles noticed that occasional grinding sound when shifting from park to drive or reverse....it has happened 3 times so far....we plan to check with the dealer...has anybody gotten any feedback as to the cause?


We have not had any problems at all with this van and love everything about it otherwise, but this grinding noise is something we will be checking into!

#56 of 2608 Re:Grinding on 2000 Windstar by lsg1

Jun 12, 2000 (2:16 am)

Lanny3:
I had originally posted that I also had a grinding sound when occasionally starting the engine, and today it happened when shifting from park to drive. I notice that it happens mostly when the car has been not started in over a day. Actually that is the only time that it has ever happened.
I brought it into the dealers shop, and they seemed very interested in what I had told them, but they could find no problems. If you bring it in, and they do find a problem, please post it, so that I have something more to go by. Thanks!!

#57 of 2608 Re:grinding on windstar by lanny3

Jun 12, 2000 (4:16 am)

lsgl


I will post if I find out anything about the noise.


Mine also has only made the noise when it has been started after sitting for a day or so.


Also it has only happened three times and I noticed the last two times it was rainy...very humid...I don't remember about the first time it happened...maybe a clue?

#58 of 2608 RE: SEL passenger rear power door doesn't shut completely by naugstar2000

Jun 17, 2000 (5:01 am)

Hello all:


Anyone else with power doors having difficulty with their shutting completely on their own?


Our 2000 was driven by the "dealer's wife" for 1K mi prior to our purchasing it and that was one flaw the sales person and ourselves noticed on delivery. We were told a part had been ordered. Five weeks later, we called the dealer and scheduled the service. Got it back today. Door was "adjusted" but the problem remains.


Our own diagnosis shows that the door does fine anytime the van is NOT completely level. Otuside our garage (on an incline) it closes fine. Inside the garage (on a level plane) it closes and backs itself out an inch or so. Enough to keep the interior lights on and the door ajar readout lit.


Requires a firm push by hand defeating the purpose of the buttons.


Curious to knwo if anyone besides the guy in the Toyota Sienna topic area is experiencing the same.


Thanks in advance. Need dealer service confrontation ammo.

#59 of 2608 "99 Windstar declining gas mileage by valeriet

Jun 19, 2000 (6:12 am)

We bought our 99Windstar in October. At first, the gas mileage was good--27mpg. After about 2,000 miles, it dropped to 20. Now with 9,900 miles on it--the gas mileage is 15-16mph. Dealer says nothing is wrong. Also, there is quite a bit of vibration at 62mph. Any solutions or same situation??? Thanks. P.S. Driving conditions are unchanged.

#60 of 2608 SEL sliding door problem by stevend

Jun 19, 2000 (3:32 pm)

I had the exact same problem when I took delivery of my 2000 SEL. All it took was just one adjustment and I have never had the problem again (12K miles now). I would recommend another person in the body shop try the adjustment.

#61 of 2608 valeriet by yaman

Jun 19, 2000 (8:38 pm)

We had a windstar for 3 and a half years and averaged about 17 mpg the whole time. 27 is pretty amazing.Something was probably wrong then!

#62 of 2608 Gas mileage by pencilpusher

Jun 20, 2000 (12:59 pm)

I have a '98 GL and get around 23 on the highway, around 17 in the city.

Messages Page 7 of 262

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