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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 33 of 35

#313 of 334 Multitude of Electrical Problems by skinnydugn

Nov 01, 2012 (6:09 pm)

I own a 2003 Windstar that has a multitude of electrical problems. I have replaced the battery 3 times, the newest being only 2 years old and the alternator once, again about 2 years ago. Windows work intermitently, gauges go crazy, sometimes even when the van is not running, interior lights flash, etc. Most of the problems listed in these other posts have occured at one time or another.
 
Now, once again, the battery will not stay charged and a charging system check revealed that the alternator was supplying 0 charge to the battery.
 
Throughout our hot dry summer the van seemed to run like a charm. Windows worked, no crazy flashing of lights, AC worked. Since we have experienced rain and cold here, the problems have all started again. It must be something that is being affected by the moisture and cold.
 
Any suggestions any one can give would be appreciated.">link title

#314 of 334 Re: Multitude of Electrical Problems [skinnydugn] by fystywindstar

Nov 01, 2012 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: skinnydugn (Nov 01, 2012 6:09 pm)
Did you replace the Alt with another Ford unit? If so get a Purolator of othe non Ford brand. I have an alt from Puralator with a lifetime warranty & it has solved most all my problems. It was changed 1 year ago next month the same time as the Battery. The only probs that I have now are lights on the dash & this is the cause of sensors in the wheels etc. & there are too many to pay to have them searched out & then replaced. After 50 years of driving w/ nearly a million mile I think I when there is a problem with my brakes etc. Most of the problems menyioned in this post can be resolved with the replacement of the Charging system as mention in this thread or the replacement of the computer that is in the rear compartment where the jack is stored.(It controls most of the electronics behind the windshield)

#315 of 334 Re: Multitude of Electrical Problems [fystywindstar] by skinnydugn

Nov 02, 2012 (11:23 am)

Replying to: fystywindstar (Nov 01, 2012 8:33 pm)
This was a non- ford alternator and it does have a lifetime warranty. So you think that replacing the REM will get rid of the charging problems?

#316 of 334 Re: Multitude of Electrical Problems [skinnydugn] by fystywindstar

Nov 02, 2012 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: skinnydugn (Nov 02, 2012 11:23 am)
Skinny, After all the ready that I had done here I thougt that was the answer. The replacement of the rear REM was stated to control all cabin lights & function so it just made sense. I spen 3 hours reading everything hear about these problems. So far I seem to have corrected my Charging problems but maybe "The Beast" is an exception to all the other owners. Have you had the master brake cyknder call-back done. There is a wiring harnes that runs from the underside of the MBC to the Trans thatdue to leakage is damaged & causes a short & possibly a fire. You need to be patient & more importantly read all you can here.

#317 of 334 1999 Ford Windstar LX by amor1220

Nov 10, 2012 (1:52 pm)

Battery drains every few months.
 
Parking lights, front, back, or both, sometimes stay on after engine is off and leaving car.
 
Blower and Inside Lights sometimes turn on by themselves.
 
Right, back Signal Light won't work at all even though I've tried new bulbs.
 
Clicking Noise left of steering wheel.
 
Right, Front Window Sprayer shoots too narrow a stream.
 
Any ideas on what I can do to repair any or all of these problems?
 
Thank you, Rob

#318 of 334 Re: 1999 Ford Windstar LX [amor1220] by travis76

Nov 13, 2012 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: amor1220 (Nov 10, 2012 1:52 pm)
Mine is doing the same thing, lights go off when she is driving and turns on when she turns the car off. Have you found something out yet?

#319 of 334 1999 Lights will turn off while driving, turn on when turned off by travis76

Nov 13, 2012 (2:16 pm)

It had an old battery, so I replaced that, tested alternator. She will drive it and then her lights will turn off, when she parks and turns it off, the lights come on until the battery is drained. Help! Need this van!

#320 of 334 Re: 1999 Ford Windstar LX [amor1220] by amor1220

Nov 15, 2012 (11:45 am)

Replying to: amor1220 (Nov 10, 2012 1:52 pm)
Mostly my problem now is the back parking lights sometimes staying on after I turn off the engine and exit the car. Of course draining the battery if my wife or I forget to check. The front parking lights don't usually stay on though albeit I've seen this once where both the front and back were. Some people told me it might be the brake light switch under the dash being the culprit but it's not that. The brake lights are on the outside of the parking lights and much brighter. I had my daughter go into the car and pump them to see that they were indeed different columns of lights. So what in the heck could be causing this? I'm stumped.

#321 of 334 Re: 1999 Ford Windstar LX [amor1220] by a1mike1a

Nov 15, 2012 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: amor1220 (Nov 15, 2012 11:45 am)
armor1220
Try lifting the brake pedal to see if your lights go off.
If they do you need to lubricate the pedal pivot with lithium greese.
It gets dry and doesn"t let the pedal return spring do it's job.

#322 of 334 2000 windstar by confused1977

Nov 16, 2012 (4:37 pm)

I have a 2000 Ford windstar. The other night i was driving home and the abs light and taction off light came on, then the airbag light came on, then the high beam light. then my radio turned on and off, then my break lights turned off, then when i pushed the brakes the headlights went off. when i got home i turned the car off and tried to restart the car and it clicked. I also have had weird problems before that happened. my gauges go wacky. an ideas I cant afford to take it to a shop and pay over 100 a hour in labor plus parts. i wanna do it myself if i can.

Messages Page 33 of 35

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