Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Windstar Transmission

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

You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Ford Windstar Cargo, Van


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 18 of 22

#168 of 216 Intermintantly fuse #19 blows causing O/D light by jfolkman

Jan 18, 2011 (1:33 pm)

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar LX van V6 (3.6). Intermittently the van is blowing fuse #19 in the engine compartment, this causes the the check engine light to illuminate along with the O/D light to flash. The car is then is running only in 2nd gear (limp mode). When I replace the fuse #19 the O/D light is not on or flashing and the shifting is normal, the check engine light remains on. I don't know if this is related: The #19 fuse blowing problem started the day after I had to jump the car due to a dead battery. The battery had a lot of corrosion so I cleaned it of with baking soda and water. From that point the fuse blows intermittently when I attempt to shift from park to reverse. Today, I removed the cables from the battery terminals cleaned everything real well, left the battery disconnected for over 15 mins to reset the check engine light, replaced blown fuse #19. The car is running normal so far with no check engine light. A week or so later fuse # 19 blew again.
 
I replaced the range sensor. vehicle starts ok and shifts through every gear. However, now fuse #19 is blowing more often when I shift from Park to Reverse and then to Drive (fuse blows when shifting to Drive).
 
I replaced fuse #19 and then tried something new, I make sure before moving the shift lever I push the O/D button to disable the O/D. Fuse #19 does not seem to blow. This morning forgot to push O/D button before shifting and fuse 19 blew, first time in three weeks
 
What should I do next to solve this intermittent problem?

#169 of 216 Transmission issue maybe? by ashlyn1984

Mar 08, 2011 (7:59 am)

I have a '96 Windstar and over a week ago it didn't want to shift into 3rd gear, for 2 days we had that issue. Then throughout last week it ran absolutely fine, Friday however it quit shifting all together, had to drive 15mph to get home then to the transmission shop which is right up the street. They couldn't look at it until Saturday, hooked up to the computer and found nothing wrong with it. Yesterday they drove it for an hour and it ran perfectly fine so they said nothing was wrong with it. I don't believe them and I refuse to drive the van until we take it to Ford. Any ideas on what could be wrong with it? I am frustrated because we also just found out that my '97 Thunderbird has a cracked intake manifold so that pretty much leaves us without a vehicle until we can take them in this weekend to be fixed.
 

#170 of 216 Re: Intermintantly fuse #19 blows causing O/D light [jfolkman] by markandmelody

Apr 10, 2011 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: jfolkman (Jan 18, 2011 1:33 pm)
Sounds like our 1999 Ford Windstar LX, 3.8L. Haven't had #19 fuse blow. Thought it was the transmission. Had it thoroughly checked and transmission is fine. They thought it was the ECM. The ECM ML2-941 is located under the plastic shield of the windshield wipers, passenger side, against the firewall above the shock tower. The computer has no removable prom chip. Called O'Reilly parts store. Can purchase this part, has core charge, but has to be taken to a Ford service center to be programmed. Comes to $300 US dollars for parts and program not including your mechanic's labor. Fortunately Mark is a mechanic and this is our personal vehicle. Guess we will replace the ECM and see what that does. Also read where all Windstars were made in Canada and the motors are Taurus motors. Mark says putting a Taurus motor and transmission in is doable so might go that route. Will try to remember to post how a new ECM works out.

#171 of 216 2003 windstar tranny by lynnwin

Apr 23, 2011 (8:20 pm)

I had no indication that my transmission was bad. I went to work one day parked the van, then at the end of the day I started it and it wouldn't move. I tried reverse, drive and low and high gear with no luck. I had to have it towed home, and still don't know what is really wrong. Hopefully I don't need a new transmission, but with my luck I'm sure I will.

#172 of 216 Re: 2003 windstar tranny [lynnwin] by helphouston

Apr 23, 2011 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: lynnwin (Apr 23, 2011 8:20 pm)
It is more than likely you will need to have it rebuilt. I have done considerable research and every where it says notorious for this and that. Do not swap out, consider problems written associated with changing the existing tranny. Mine is still in the driveway waiting on a $1500 bal in savings to take it to the tranny shop. You can drip fluid from the dip stick on white paper, if it is brownish and or has black flecks in it, it will need to be rebuilt. Find a good established shop, you want it rebuilt, not changed.

#173 of 216 Re: Intermintantly fuse #19 blows causing O/D light [markandmelody] by markandmelody

Apr 24, 2011 (9:03 am)

Replying to: markandmelody (Apr 10, 2011 1:45 pm)
As per my previous post. Did find a computer in a used vehicle that matched ours. Swapped them out. Windstar wouldn't run. After much digging and research, discovered that the Windstar manufacturer matches the ECM with the electrical bundle. These are programmed together. Isn't that just wonderful? Prevents you from swapping these out separately. We now have a ECM we can use as our core. Here's the kicker, after removing the original ECM and putting the used one in then discovering the used one wouldn't work, put the original ECM back in and the van is running better! A reset may have been all it needed. So will drive it till it acts up again and then post results. Fingers crossed!

#174 of 216 Re: 2003 windstar tranny [lynnwin] by boss302j

Apr 24, 2011 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: lynnwin (Apr 23, 2011 8:20 pm)
Sure seems like a good possiblity of a stripped out torque converter. Lots cheaper than a rebuild. Look at my earlier post. Common problem on these transmissions. New converter and that is it. That is all mine took.

#175 of 216 Re: windstar trans issue [cryptic301] by cookie35

May 12, 2011 (9:48 am)

Replying to: cryptic301 (Nov 30, 2010 1:08 am)
hi i just was reading ur ad its so funny im having the same problem with my wind star just got it 3 weeks ago drove it 1 time tranmission bad dont what to do it shift gear but the man i got it from he said he just put a new tranmission he just got me for my money

#176 of 216 Re: 2000 Ford Windstar Transmission [theboss2] by john4u1970

May 16, 2011 (4:17 pm)

Replying to: theboss2 (Jan 31, 2009 5:45 pm)
this is for theboss2 or anyone else that can give me a tip i got my transmission unbolted with everything disconnected can not seem to drop it do i need to pull it from top i really don't want to remove engine

#177 of 216 transmission slipping at times by mtnmans98zx2

Nov 27, 2011 (4:17 am)

my cousin had me look at his van last night (2000 Windstar) and I have NO CLUE whats up with it.
The tranny shifts fine and goes through the gears but at about 30-40mph if ya let of the gas and coast a bit then get back into the gas it slips like crazy. It does this whether the tranny in hot or cold and it does it intermittently. Could it be a vacume leak and if so where should I start to look.
Or maybe a sensors bad OR the TRANNY IS FRIED? IM not a transmission man soI dont have a clue what to look for. I feel bad for the kid and will help him and his family out as much as I can but I dont know where to start! Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Messages Page 18 of 22

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement