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Ford Windstar Alternator and Battery Problems
81 messages, Last post on Apr 10, 2013 at 9:42 PM
You are in the Ford Windstar Forum.- Your Host is kcram
What is this discussion about? Ford Windstar, Ford Windstar Cargo, Van
#78 of 81 Re: 2002 Ford Windstar Electrical Problem [kathiem1] by neilsford
Nov 13, 2012 (12:31 am)
Replying to: kathiem1 (Feb 17, 2012 1:28 pm)
Did you ever find out what the problem was. I'm having the same problem with my 1999 Windstar. It is definately random short. It can be parked for weeks with no problem. Move it to the other side of the drive way and the next morning the battery is dead. As long as it's driven every 4 or so hours, it doesn't drain the battery enough that it won't start. I've looked for lights staying on... I've gone to the extreme now of hooking a light switch between the battery and power, so that over night, I can cut the power. But this is very inconvenient. I have noticed that the air conditioning and fan will power up on start up and shut off instantly all by itself... but this may be the after effects of disconnecting the battery and reconnecting to start the motor. I wonder if it's a module that is somehow staying powered up after I turned the van off.
#79 of 81 Re: Ford Windstar 2000 v6 3.0 charging lamp. [vidir] by schmi1
Dec 14, 2012 (9:58 am)
Replying to: vidir (Dec 20, 2011 5:12 am)
I have the same problem with the charging light. It is exactly as you say, it takes about 20 seconds for it to come on, but after the first (sometimes second) restart it will not come on again ( I can drive hundreds of miles) until the engine is stopped for a while. If I ignore the charging light and do not restart, the car will eventually die for lack of electricity. I have noticed that outdoor temperature does affect how often the problem occurs. Mechanics cannot define the problem. They have check wiring, grounds, replaced the battery and alternator and I refuse to spend any more until someone can describe exactly what the problem is and what it will cost to fix it.
Does anyone know?
#81 of 81 Re: Stalls while driving [alshouse] by girlygirllol
Apr 10, 2013 (9:42 pm)
Replying to: alshouse (Mar 03, 2011 11:37 pm)
The issue is with the power going into the darn Alternator! I have had this issue yearly, last year was the first time all the lights went out & the gas pedal didn't even want to work. It was in the day time so not as dangerous as tonight! The dash dimmed down, the blinkers wouldn't work, we were coming home as it was getting dark, no power when pressing the gas so I had to pump it all the way & coasted until we arrived home. Lucky we didn't run into traffic! Many miles from home with the battery almost dead.
Last year I replaced my 2002 alternator & got another new battery ( new one each year since 2003) it has been almost a year again and now tonight the [check charging system] light came on again... I knew the battery was almost dead when that happens.
I drove to a shop & they tested the battery very little power he said the Ford Windstars have had an issue with the power going into the alternator. He then wiggled the plug connected to the alternator & it started working.
I will be replacing the battery again with a new one tomorrow & I will go to the nearest Ford for the wiring for the alternator!! After years of issues I really hope this works! They don't sell the part at parts store.
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