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Ford Windstar Transmission

216 messages,  Last post on May 05, 2013 at 12:58 PM

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Messages Page 12 of 22

#108 of 216 4th transmission out with 178k kms by jimmyto

Jul 29, 2009 (10:58 am)

Hi,
 
My girlfriend has a Windstar 2003 with 176k KM on it. The Auto transmission has broken 3 times and now the 4th transmission is slipping again. She got charged by Ford last time $600 to get a replacement one under a special program they have. She's been paying $600 a month on this purchase for the past 5 years and she has a balance of $7500 on it. Ford suggested they buy out the vehicle and we get into a newer one....
 
Is this acceptable? Can we sue Ford for a bad product? Your advice is much appreciated.

#109 of 216 98 Windstar transmission problem by joe52553

Aug 02, 2009 (5:37 pm)

My 98 Windstar transmission will sometimes not shift past second gear or downshift to 2nd gear, even at highway speeds. No rhyme or reason. The fluid is clean and not burned. Does this car have electronic control? Any suggestions?

#110 of 216 2000 Windstar blew transmission fluid everywhere! by mswatson27

Aug 03, 2009 (7:36 pm)

I had never noticed my transmission slipping or leaking. I drove to St. Louis (about 150 miles) without any issues. On my way home, I was about 25 miles from my exit when I noticed white smoke coming from my van. I stopped immediately. The smoke cleared quickly, but I saw transmission fluid all over the back of my van and down the side of the interstate!!! The van still went into drive and reverse fine. I have about 142,000 miles on the van, and it's always been routinely serviced. Any thoughts?

#111 of 216 Re: 95 windstar not shifting right [camicool2000] by jetaway

Aug 03, 2009 (10:56 pm)

Replying to: camicool2000 (Jul 28, 2009 6:39 am)
You are wasting time and money by changing sensors that you don't know need to be changed.You need to have the computer scanned and that should lead you directly to the culprit if the problem is a bad sensor at all.As for the other guy the sensor on the back {drivers side}of the trans behind the wheel is the turbine {input} shaft sensor.The one behind the exhaust is the VSS {vehicle speed sensor}.When the mechanic checked his car the code will tell you specifically which sensor to change.You cannot guess with electronics .As far as the MLPS {manual lever position indicator}which also acts as a neutral safety switch there is a part number stamped right on the part.It is located on the back of the trans near the fire wall.You have to remove the 15mm nut that holds the shift cable to the linkage shaft.Then unplug the sensors wires and remove the 2 10mm bolts that hold down the sensor,Then you can slide the sensor off the linkage shaft.On a 95 you may have to pry the sensor off due to corrosion on the shaft.They often break while removing them but your replacing it anyway.Get the codes and post them here .Your car is not OBD2 so you will need the older style scanner connection.

#112 of 216 Re: 4th transmission out with 178k kms [jimmyto] by badluckgirl

Aug 12, 2009 (6:28 am)

Replying to: jimmyto (Jul 29, 2009 10:58 am)
I have just experienced similar major breakdown of the transmission in my 2003 Windstar. It died unexpectly on a major highway while en-route to a funeral. A replacement transmission has been installed but the O/D indicator light goes on immediately. At low speeds a clunking sound and jerking motion occurs. The autoservice shop blames it on having been supplied a faulty replacement transmission, while the transmission supplier says it is an electrical problem. I have paid $3300 for the work and still do not have an operational vehicle. The autoservice company has returned the Windstar on a flatbed to our driveway. What can you tell me about the special transmission program operated by Ford? Any other suggestions would also be welcome.
 
BadluckGirl

#113 of 216 Re: 4th transmission out with 178k kms [badluckgirl] by happyfacecarol

Aug 14, 2009 (8:57 am)

Replying to: badluckgirl (Aug 12, 2009 6:28 am)
It is a bad tranny. Same thing happened to my 1999 Windstar. After 3 tranny,s later seems to be running fine. As for Ford, good luck. Your machanic should replace it without charging again.

#114 of 216 Windstar 2001 transmission by pullithard

Aug 14, 2009 (7:04 pm)

Today my wife and daughter and friends were going to see American Idol when the van started to hesitate and then nothing!! Now the van won't go into D,1,2,or R. Although N works well when I pushed it off the highway completely. It is still sitting there until I decide what to do with it. It had no symptoms accept the odd tug like an Ironman was connected to the back trying to pull the van from behind. The tranny only has 25000 miles on it!!(second). Is the whole tranny shot, or is it another problem? I hate to drop more money into this heap but cannot afford a new car. Oh by the way the codes are 00/00 so that's what's perplexing me?
 
Thanks
 
Jay

#115 of 216 Re: 4th transmission out with 178k kms [badluckgirl] by jimmyto

Aug 18, 2009 (7:49 am)

Replying to: badluckgirl (Aug 12, 2009 6:28 am)
Hi,
 
They call it the Good will program, only applicable once to clients. This whole thing is a rip off trying to convince my girlfriend to switch to another vehicle. 4 transmissions is simply not acceptable.

#116 of 216 1995 windstar shifting problems by jeaks4

Aug 22, 2009 (1:09 pm)

I have a 95 windstar with a 3.8 V6. The transmission was recently changed with a salvage transmission that operated properly when taken to the salvage yard and was guaranteed. Was installed and will run fine in low gear, but while in drive when it is supposed to shift to second, it shifts into neutral until you slow down enough, then it will shift back into low. Reverse works fine and it does not slip or shift hard, it just wont shift past low. All sensors on the transmission itself have been changed with the old transmission. Any ideas?

#117 of 216 Re: 1995 windstar shifting problems [jeaks4] by pullithard

Aug 22, 2009 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: jeaks4 (Aug 22, 2009 1:09 pm)
Sorry to hear about your Tranny problems.
 
The problems with these tranny's are common and unless you are getting a rebuild expect to replace it every couple of years. Rebuilds are the way to go as they correct the problems that have been plaguing these tranny's for the last 15 years. Therefore, the salvaged one while cheaper will not do you much good, unless you put one in and sell it. However, that would not be very nice.
 
Good luck. The Tranny will have to be pulled. I have a PDF of the 95 tranny's that tells you how to problem solve this problem if you want it. Let me know your e-mail.
 
Jason

Messages Page 12 of 22

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