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Ford Freestar Electrical Problems

111 messages,  Last post on Apr 16, 2013 at 6:08 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Van


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Messages Page 1 of 11

#2 of 111 2004 Mercury Monterey Electrical problems by mrcat

Jan 10, 2007 (4:03 pm)

I have an 04 Monterey minivan an I am experiencing serious electrical problems. The battery light comes on and stays on for about 30 seconds then goes off. After this, the dash lights and radio go off. Most of the time they come back on within a few seconds. Recently I noticed that if I turn the headlights off and then back on, the dash lights and the radio come back on right away. Sometimes when this happens, the display states to "Check braking system" and then goes to "Check traction control." The dealer thought this was related to the aftermarket remote starter I had installed, the starter was in the van for about 18 months before these problems began. I had a new remote starter installed and things were fine for about three months. The exterior lights remain on when this happens and the van runs fine otherwise. Has anyone else experienced any problem like this? Any ideas on what the problem might be? I plan on taking it to a different dealer next week. Thanks

#3 of 111 Re: 2004 Mercury Monterey Electrical problems [mrcat] by mudster66

Apr 16, 2008 (11:12 am)

Replying to: mrcat (Jan 10, 2007 4:03 pm)
We have the same vehicle but, to the best of my knowledge (my wife drives it mostly), we have not had this happen. However, I had to drive it about a week ago and I noticed the display on the radio was flashing and was totally frozen and would not play. I couldn't switch to CD, change stations, nothing. I forgot to ask my wife about it but the next time I used the van (a couple days later) it was fine and hasn't happened since. Not sure if could be similar/related electrical issues causing that as well.
 
Another thing I noticed is that the cruise control no longer works either. Does anyone know what I could check there? Is there a fuse controlling that which may need to be replaced?
 
 

#4 of 111 Re: 2004 Mercury Monterey Electrical problems [mudster66] by gjgj

Jul 24, 2008 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: mudster66 (Apr 16, 2008 11:12 am)
had a '93 sable wagon. different animal I know. fought electrical problems for a while. tuffy (up the street) fixed it for a couple of hundred $ or so. it was the (let me get this right) steering wheel electrical rotating connections. they have an acronym for it. mechanic also told me to replace another gizmo near the base of the steering wheel and firewall at the same time (done). I thought he was trying to drum up business by replacing the gizmo at the same time. -turns out he was right! an ole timer had to redo his connector as well, but did not replace the gizz. cost him much more $$$. IF you DO NOT replace this other gizmo along w/ the circular connector assy, shame sham sha sh.
 as you turn the steering wheel (thousands of times), horns, lights, bags, cruises, etc all go through this electrical box of rotating contacts. sound controls too?? it gets wooorrrn out. 125k for me. also all this stuff is plugged into the Friggin 'puter. = disaster dollars! ford knows about this issue, and the motors manuals even have a specific time code for this operation. software at tuffy shows this too....
 
trying to replace my 93 sable wagon, but having a hell of a time finding the same features. ... tall guy's tilt wheel (no knee bashing), cornering lights, instruments that a blind guy can see, low deck (so the two old arthritic labradors can get in easily), ability to tow my boat, plenty of trip/luggage/tools/stuff/ room and oh yes--- keep the fiance happy too (not so hard to do).
 
enjoy your F O R D.

#5 of 111 2007 freestar quit running on highway by arolwing

Aug 02, 2008 (7:11 pm)

Not sure if my problem is electrical or not.....checking to see if anyone else has had this happen. I was driving to Ohio from Northern Michigan last night about 11 pm...doing about 75 mph on a two-lane highway in the left lane, with my four children (ages 13, 10, 8 and most complicating....15 months) when my van simply "died". No sputtering, jerking, or anything else...it was as if I had pulled out the key. Blinkers and windows still worked, but no steering abiltiy (minimal), no brakes, no gas....Thank God the highway was not crowded, and I was able to use all of my strength to turn the wheel about a centimeter, and "coast" over the the shoulder. Luckily, no one was hurt. The van would start again, but "die" after 5 seconds. We were towed to Jackson, Mi. where I had to leave the van until they can see it on Monday. Has this happened to anyone else? Noticed lots of transmission issues with the freestar on this blog. It was really frightening.
 
Thanks,
Mother of four.

#6 of 111 Re: 2007 freestar quit running on highway [arolwing] by zioderic

Aug 08, 2008 (9:22 pm)

Replying to: arolwing (Aug 02, 2008 7:11 pm)
Arolwing,
I just bought a used 07' Freestar with less than 30k. (Less than 5 days ago in fact). I have been reading posts like yours and I'm curious to see how your story ended or what caused this? I have 3 young kids in the van now, and will take my oldest back to Florida from Georgia on the 13th...so I'm concerned.

#7 of 111 Re: 2007 freestar quit running on highway [zioderic] by arolwing

Aug 09, 2008 (10:01 am)

Replying to: zioderic (Aug 08, 2008 9:22 pm)
Hi....
 
Our problem was quickly identified and remedied....apparently a vaccuum hose came loose, and detached from some area near the fuel pump, causing either too much or too little air (I forget) to circulate with the fuel, which caused the vehicle to stall. They reportedly re-attached the hose and "double-wrapped" it, in hopes it won't happen again. Our van has 17,000 miles on it....clearly it should have been wrapped tighter to begin with. I'd have them check this vaccuum hose and make sure it is secure. It was quite scary. Good luck and safe travels!

#8 of 111 Re: 2007 freestar quit running on highway [arolwing] by momtobclt

Oct 22, 2008 (2:07 pm)

Replying to: arolwing (Aug 09, 2008 10:01 am)
This same thing happened to me today, luckily I did not have my kids with me and safely pulled over. There was no warning. I was driving about 45 mph and it just stalled. No power stearing, no brakes, nothing. I tried to start it a few times afterwards and nothing. The Ford dealership said that later they drove it right into the shop and can't find anything wrong with it. If it was a loose vacuum hose I don't think it would have been able to start back up later. Anyone else have this happen?They said there is nothing on the Ford website that comes up as a problem. My BIL is a Ford mechanic and he said they were telling the truth, there is nothing on Fords website. He is trying to do some research and see if he can find the problem. I told him about everyone on this site. I have had this van in the shop almost every month in the 2 years we have had it for various problems, but this is the first time I have been stranded. I am sick of this lemon!!!

#9 of 111 frustrated lighting problem by mmccain1

Mar 05, 2009 (3:57 pm)

i have a 2005 freestar with a wierd problem i can't figure out..my when the car is parked -- not running the inside and outside lights will come on at random ..stay on for a random amount of time and go back off..this keeps draining my battery after a night of it..it will stop doing it for months and then do it for weeks???? i called the dealership but they said they never heard of this kind of problem..disconnected the headlight switch to try to isolate the problem but that just makes the headlights stay on all the time...so frustrated and poor...was hoping somebody has seen this before and can steer me in the right direction...thank you....

#10 of 111 Re: frustrated lighting problem [mmccain1] by momtobclt

Mar 05, 2009 (5:31 pm)

Replying to: mmccain1 (Mar 05, 2009 3:57 pm)
I had this problem among many others. Recently I had (someone correct me if this isn't the correct term) the power control module replaced. Moisture was getting in there and causing havoc with my van. Since it has been replaced I haven't had any issues.

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