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

#715 of 2608 Reply to 96 Windstar Heater Problem by gibber by wmy99

Nov 07, 2001 (12:21 am)

I also recently had a no front heat problem in my 1996 Windstar. About 2 months ago, with our very hot summer, my air conditoner was working fine and one chilly evening, I turned on my heater and cold air only was blowing through my front heater.
---I had my local Ford dealer check the heater & was shocked when informed the estimate to repair the front heater would be $1250.
---I was told newer Ford, GM & Chrysler vehicles all have their heater/vent/air conditioner doors & controls mounted into one common heater/air conditioner unit or box and this is mounted under the dash and replacement, not repair of this box is the usual fix.
---To replace this box, the dash & steering column must be removed which would take many hours resulting in a major labour and parts bill.
---The Ford dealer after inspecting my heater box, stated no repair could be made and it would have to be replaced.
---I obtained a 2nd opinion from an independant mechanic in my area and he was able to repair the heater box for $160 labour charge.
---The problem was the hot/cold air flow door had broken & jammed closed in the cold position.
 
---I suggest, for any costly or major repair to have a 2nd opinion from an independant, reliable mechanic.

#716 of 2608 96 & 2000 Windstar by raykrol

Nov 07, 2001 (2:33 pm)

I had a 1996 Windstar for 3 1/2 years and liked it very much. I traded it in for a 2000 SEL and we (my wife and I) also like this van very much. I would buy another Windstar but my wife loves this one. I have nothing but good things to say about this van. (PS: I don't work for Ford).
raykrol

#717 of 2608 Lesson to be learned. by penguin

Nov 09, 2001 (7:43 am)

If you are lucky enough to get a good Ford, keep it. If you keep trading it in on new Fords, eventually you will be singing the same song as everyone else here.

#718 of 2608 Lesson to be learned--part 2 by 5greyhounds

Nov 09, 2001 (10:03 am)

I agree with Penguin. My 95 GL was totaled a few months ago and I purchased a 99 SE. The reason was even with the faults of the 95 it still did yeoman service for 135k. I would still have it if it had not been hit. The 99 is what I call "pre-Nasser". It was designed when Ford had some good engineers. When he came on board ford started to go down hill. It will take several years for Ford to recover from his screw ups. I was talking with my sales person and I told him I would not buy anything that was built under Nasser. He concurred. He said that is why Ford is going back and doing a front end structural redesign of the F150 and Explorer since they did not do well in crash tests. The basic design was just not that good due to the push for profits and cost cutting. Keep the 2000. Pull the maintance and it will last a long, long time. While I am a die hard Ford man I purchased a Suzuki XL-7 and not an Escape due to all the recalls several months ago. I told my dealer why I did it and, while disappointed, he understood. To many recalls.

#719 of 2608 2000 WINDSTAR PROBLEMS ARE OVER!! by jsiedhoff

Nov 12, 2001 (2:02 pm)

In response to my previous posts about my 2000 Windstar that stranded me on vacation twice, Ford has finally reacquired it and put me in a new 2002 with a 5 year premium extended service plan. It took over two months and tons of phone calls but it is over (hopefully). I hope the 02 does not have problems like my 00. I want to recommend Tri-Ford in Highland Illinois to anyone in the St. Louis metro area who might read this. Even though I purchased my 00 van at Jack Schmitt in Collinsville, IL (THEY SUCK. DO NOT GO THERE!) Tri Ford was happy to work with me and Ford Motor Co and they treated me with nothing but respect, honesty, and overall kindness. They have had multiple people come to them after dealing with Jack Schmitt. Anyway, this concludes yet another Ford nightmare.

#720 of 2608 JS by davids1

Nov 13, 2001 (6:51 pm)

Good for you!! Hope you have good luck with your new Windstar.
 
I have a question for the forum. My 2000 Windstar LX is getting rotten gas mileage (12 mpg). I have taken it back once and they reprogrammed the PCM and replaced the front control module (whatever that is). This appears to be to no avail. Still getting rotten mileage (12-13 mpg). Any ideas as to what I can try before I take it back to the dealer? Any info would be appreciated.

#721 of 2608 by midlifecrisis

Nov 14, 2001 (6:02 am)

How many miles do you have on your Windstar? I recently had my air filter replaced at 25,000 miles and it was completely caked with dirt. This could be part of the problem with poor gas mileage.

#722 of 2608 Mid by davids1

Nov 15, 2001 (4:20 am)

It has less than 15000 miles. I'll take a look at the filter, but I don't think that is the problem.

#723 of 2608 davids1 by 5greyhounds

Nov 15, 2001 (1:18 pm)

I assume they have checked for a clogged converter. 12MPG is really low. Even if you are carrying a lot of things in it (you did not say one way or the other) it is low. My only other thought would be a bad fuel injector. My 99 is doing about 21 to 22.

#724 of 2608 strange things happen by 5greyhounds

Nov 15, 2001 (1:22 pm)

My ford dealer in Sterling VA sold a black 2001 Limited and it had been in the front of the parking lot for a month with temp tags on it and then it disappeared. I made mention of it and was told it was in the back. The man bought it and then found he could not get insurance on it based on his driving record till Jan, 2002. so it is in the back lot, he is making payments but can not drive it till Jan.

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