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Ford Windstar Electrical Problems

334 messages,  Last post on Apr 26, 2013 at 6:05 PM

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

Messages Page 26 of 34

#248 of 334 2003 ford windstar electrical problems by gunner623

Aug 21, 2011 (6:36 pm)

WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT THE VAN USED EVERYTHING WORKED FINE INTERIOR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD POP THE FUSE A DAY OR TWO AFTER U REPLACE IT WE'LL LIVE WITH THE INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING ........ BUT JUST RECENTLY HAD PROBLEMS WHILE AWAY FROM HOME THE FUEL PUMP RESET SWITCH NEXT TO THE JACK WAS GIVING US PROBLEMS HAD TO PUSH ON IT WHILE SOMEONE CRANKS THE CAR AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD VERY DANGEROUS GOT THAT REPLACED AND A NEW BATTERY ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BURP WHILE GOING UP A HILL CHECKED THE FLUID AND IT WAS A LITTLE LOW PUT SOME IN IT N SEEMED TO FIX IT TEMPORARILY BUT GUESS IT FIXED ITSELF NEVER DONE IT SINCE LATER ON WIFE SAYS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD DOOR LOCKS WOULD GO CRAZY AND THATS WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING AND THE BACK WINDOWS WONT OPEN EITHER AND TODAY THE ALTERNATOR DECIDES TO GO OUT ALL THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FUEL LIGHT ABS LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASH I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING IS FINE EXCEPT FUEL GAUGE ISN'T WORKING ANY SOLUTIONS TO FIX MY PROBLEMS?? ALL HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIATED

#249 of 334 01 windstar lxs hazards and interior lights by caliwill

Aug 23, 2011 (3:44 pm)

the other day my daughter left her dvd player on and it drained the battery i tried to start it and the hazards and interior lights came on all by them selves and started flashing is this normal? also we jump stared it and was unning fine for a day when i got in it yesterday the battery light wouldnt turn off and it was saying check charging system has any one came by this and if so what do i need to do to fix this

#250 of 334 Re: 01 windstar lxs hazards and interior lights [caliwill] by eddiefalero1

Aug 23, 2011 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: caliwill (Aug 23, 2011 3:44 pm)
the same thing happened to me a few years ago...the dvd player. I had to buy a new alternator and battery because it killed 2 cells in my battery and it caused the alternator not to charge properly. When the cells in the battery are bad it sends weird signals to the computer in your van and thats why things start flikkering. Its a windstar thing. If you look at all my post and replyies you will see all the crap i have been thru...good luck

#251 of 334 Re: 01 windstar lxs hazards and interior lights [caliwill] by a1mike1a

Aug 24, 2011 (6:13 am)

Replying to: caliwill (Aug 23, 2011 3:44 pm)
Your dvd player kept the computer on your windstar active preventing it from going to sleep. This drains the battery quickly. I have been through 3 alternators with this van. I bought a lifetime alternator the 2nd time. Just had it prepaired last week for free. My GPS was causing my battery to drain.
I also have a E350 2008 van that kills the battery if I leave my GPS pluged in.
Ford needs to address this problem.

#252 of 334 Crazy Electrical Problems by rog64ert

Aug 24, 2011 (11:39 am)

This may have been addressed already, so forgive me if it has. I could not find it.
 
First I have a 200 Windstar SE, and replace the tie rods and front wiper motor every year or two.
A sensor between the firewall and the engine failed, keeping the service engine light on.
The ABS is intermittent, but usually on, but functional as a system.
 
Now I have issues that I have to believe are related.
 
First to fail were the heated mirrors and side view mirror controls.
Then the Side Door Buttons between the visors, became intermittent.
Then The DS Rear Window fails to open or close at times.
Then the Door Locks started functioning sporadically.
Then the Side Doors stopped opening consistently, seldom close all of the way to lock, and the DS Side Door only opens a foot.
and the newest to my troubles are:
The Backup Alarm and Back Up Lights do not work at all.
 
Sometimes some days are better, but usually not. Any advice, guidance or direction will be appreciated, short of directing me to the dealership.

#253 of 334 Window only Works in Winter by girlbear

Aug 31, 2011 (2:28 pm)

I have 1999 Windstar. A few years back the driver's window stopped working. That winter it started working again and now I can guarantee that the first real cold snap will leave the window working all winter long. But come spring, let the car door sit in the sun and the window stopped working again.
 
I tried a different panel switch but the window still wouldn't go down. Two days ago, a mechanic replaced the motor and the window worked for a day. After a day of sitting in a parking lot with the sun shining on it, the window doesn't work again.
 
I'm thinking some wire or mechanism must be expanding/ shorting in the heat and when it's cold, it must contract and not short. But I have no idea what it could be (not an electrician) and when I go to a mechanic to explain what's wrong, they rarely listen to a woman trying to explain it - and they don't believe me when I say it works in winter but not the rest of the year.
 
So, any help someone can give, I'd be obliged.

#254 of 334 Re: Window only Works in Winter [girlbear] by cantdodriveups

Sep 01, 2011 (9:28 am)

Replying to: girlbear (Aug 31, 2011 2:28 pm)
I had very similar issues with the driver side window, and a mechanic friend of mine took the door panel off, lubricated all the parts of the mechanism that moves the window up and down, especially the plastic bushings that slide in the rails. He also lubricated inside the rails that the actual glass window rides in on the sides. He also loosened the bolts that hold the rails that the bushings ride in a little, put the window all the way up, and then tightened them down again, hoping to keep it from binding at the top. It has been about 3 weeks in August in Louisiana and it has not failed yet. He used a marine type of grease for the rails with the bushings and a spray like WD40 in the rails with the glass.

#255 of 334 Need Help With Electronic Problem by davidi46

Sep 09, 2011 (7:18 pm)

Recently, while driving my 2003 Ford Windstar on the road with the AC on, the cold air suddenly began blowing out of the defrost vents and 15 seconds later it began blowing out of the lower air vents (near the accelerator pedal). The cold air does this weird cycle every 5-10 minutes. The air also changes speeds (high and low) while this is happening. At the same time all the gauge needles are bouncing back and forth and all the lights (check engine, abs, brake light) turn on. My right front door window stopped working also. I hope someone can help me trouble shoot this problem. Thank you.

#256 of 334 Re: Need Help With Electronic Problem [davidi46] by oyokidude1

Sep 10, 2011 (11:31 am)

Replying to: davidi46 (Sep 09, 2011 7:18 pm)
Alternator and or Battery. Gauges bouncing back and forth are a tell tale sign.

#257 of 334 Re: Need Help With Electronic Problem [oyokidude1] by davidi46

Sep 11, 2011 (10:15 pm)

Replying to: oyokidude1 (Sep 10, 2011 11:31 am)
Thank you. I replaced the battery six months ago and the alternator two months ago. The alternator was refurbished though.

Messages Page 26 of 34

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