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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 34

#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.

#323 of 334 Re: 1999 Lights will turn off while driving, turn on when turned off [travis76] by bca1953

Nov 27, 2012 (11:18 am)

Replying to: travis76 (Nov 13, 2012 2:16 pm)
I am having exactly same problem on 2003 Windstar. Have narrowed it down to REM rear electronic module, which is a delaer item , $400 for part and $110 to replace in Michigan. The cost is holding me back..do you know any other fix for this? I do not want to spend $500 plus and find out it doesnt fix the problem.

#324 of 334 Re: 1999 Lights will turn off while driving, turn on when turned off [bca1953] by travis76

Nov 27, 2012 (11:41 am)

Replying to: bca1953 (Nov 27, 2012 11:18 am)
I put it on hold for now through Christmas, I just disconnect the battery everytime right now

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

Dec 15, 2012 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: a1mike1a (Nov 15, 2012 3:41 pm)
I don't think it's the brake lights as I've explained previously. After reading different information for a few weeks I believe I have at least two major problems. One is a bad switch(es) in the steering column, and a faulty REM (rear electrical module). Just for these two parts is probably 650 to 700 bucks and that's without labor. Who put together the 1999 Ford Windstar parts and wiring... the Apollo 1 engineers? Geez, I've only got around 35,000 miles on it.

#326 of 334 Battery discharging, found culprit is Rear Electronic Module by wiremonster

Jan 12, 2013 (5:29 pm)

After 5 hours of performing grueling diagnostics today I FINALLY found out why my battery was discharging at a continuous rate of 450milliamps (while not running) on my 2001 Windstar...the REM (rear electronic module) is keeping relays 1 & 4 turned on (the ones under the dash in the fuse/relay panel below the headlight switch). Normal drain on car batteries with the ignition turned off is under 25mA. If you suspect the same is happening to you, take the fuse panel cover off after the van has sat overnight and put your hand on the 2 relays at the very left side of the fuse/relay panel. If they are nice and warm, BINGO, your REM is malfunctioning. I have also had fuel pump run problems and the keyless entry has been malfunctioning intermittantly since DAY 1! This module is responsible for those functions as well as the brake lights, emergency flashers, door locks and many more. Thank God I had the sense to buy the shop manuals for this van otherwise I'd have to take it to the dealership and I HATE them (Scarritt Lincoln Mercury in Seminole, FL) as do so many other folks that got the shaft from that shyster!

#327 of 334 Re: Battery discharging, found culprit is Rear Electronic Module [wiremonster] by richthefactor

Jan 21, 2013 (9:51 am)

Replying to: wiremonster (Jan 12, 2013 5:29 pm)
Did this fix it? I just bought a 2000 windstar yesterday and now know why it was so cheap. It has all problems listed above a new alt and new R E M. does the R E M need to be programed to the vehicle by the dealer?

#328 of 334 Re: Battery discharging, found culprit is Rear Electronic Module [richthefactor] by wiremonster

Jan 21, 2013 (11:02 am)

Replying to: richthefactor (Jan 21, 2013 9:51 am)
I shot myself in the foot! After reading Ford service Article No. 02-13-9 and performing a test using that info I learned my REM was acting perfectly normal. The 450mA drain I measured was due to my actions by simply leaving a door open which kept the computers "awake" while I was servicing the van. If a door is left open, the computers won't go to "sleep", thereby keeping relays 1 and 4 and their associated circuits activated. The article states it takes at least 30 minutes of no interruptions before you can test for the computers going to "sleep". Read all about it here:
 
http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/tepetty3/2010-10-08_191739_tsb02-13-09.pdf
 
I purchased an REM from ebay that has all the same code numbers, save for the serial number so it should have the same programming as my original, I just have not tested it yet. But yes, the REM has a programmable computer that, if you did not buy one that has the same programming as your old one, may not work as expected and you will need to have its memory re-programmed by a dealer with the appropriate equipment and software/firmware version.
 
To make a long, sad story short, the battery discharge issue was all due to me not driving van enough. I only go about 1 mile each way to and from work, and over a period of 3 years the battery just did not get charged enough. I've only driven it 54K miles in the 12 years I've owned it, that's only 4500/year...My bad.

#329 of 334 2000 windstar-dash lights stay on by portwarboss

Feb 15, 2013 (9:51 am)

Messages Page 33 of 34

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