Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Ford Windstar

1…1011121315

Comments

  • kevinsvankevinsvan Member Posts: 3
    That's a wide open question. If your van is squealing when you turn if back and forth it is probably your tie rod ends. By their design they cannot be lubricated and so when the grease drys up from its initial application they must be replaced. If this is the case make sure they are replaced with tie rods ends that have the small valve on it that is used for lubrication.
  • pellispellis Member Posts: 1
    I have the same problem. About 5% of the time, it blows warm/hot air. Else, it comes on cold and STAYS that way. Don't know what to do. It's really cold weather right now.
  • ClairesClaires Member Posts: 1,222
    Hi, pellis,

    You might also want to ask the folks about this in either of these two discussions:

    Climate Control Problems (Heat, Air Conditioning): All Cars

    Ford Windstar Problems

    MODERATOR

    Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.

    Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review

  • miscemailsmiscemails Member Posts: 1
    Every time I have a problem with my 98 windstar the dealer says they've never heard of it. My van has power surges and leaps forward like it is possessed. The RPMs rev up to 4000 yet the van feels like it shifted down to first gear. It is terrifying. I've already replaced the transmission and had stretched head bolts and had the head gasket replaced. Also had every sensor in the van replaced at one time or another. Biggest piece of metal scrap I've ever encountered !!!
  • slavergneslavergne Member Posts: 1
    Check the cruise control light when that happens. I used to have a grand prix that would turn on the cruise control and set it very high. Our only clue was the gas pedal left your foot when it happened. I noticed that it did that when the cruise kicked on. We brought it to the dealer and they fixed it....
  • bobowensbobowens Member Posts: 2
    My keyless entry remote only works intermittently to not at all. I'm thinking grounding problem. Where is the receiver box that I might check for proper grounding? Does anyone have some other solutions? The remote battery is good?
  • markie3markie3 Member Posts: 4
    I need HELP soon! I have a 2001 Windstar with 75k, spewing oil. The dealers says EGR ports are clogged & seals are bad; also DPFE sensor and needs major tuneup costing $1200-$1300. Has anyone had this problem? Is there a service bulletin on this problem? Is any of this covered under the environmental warranty? Would appreciate HELP! :(
  • mlpntrmlpntr Member Posts: 61
    No because Ford sucks. Run to a Chevy dealer.
  • mitley_350mitley_350 Member Posts: 1
    olear47,
    Did you ever figure this problem out? I am having teh same problem with my wife's van. I found that the GEM sensor emits smoke when I replace fuse 19. When I called Ford to ask about the part and teh problem I was having, He said that it was most likely caused by a pinched wire. But I can't find it. I bet it is a common problem. I am hoping someone will be able to point me in the right direction

    Tim
  • turbotronturbotron Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2001 Windstar. I don't know much about your oil problem. It does sound like seals need replacement.
    I had my DPFE replaced today. My check engine light came on and I ran the ODB-II scanner on it at work (Advance Auto Parts - we do it for free.) ANyway It called out the EGR flow. I replaced the EGR valve myself ($52.00) and erased the codes. The check engine light came back on and my milage went down. I was in over my head so I took it to my favorite auto shop. They replaced the DPFE. I was charged only $100.58 for the part and $247.50 for labor. If I had not replaced the EGR vavle myself, I would have paid about $1100 for both parts and labor. I did the easy part and saved more than $700. Go figure...
  • joannichjoannich Member Posts: 1
    I have a 96 WS. It started with no problems, this morning, but after driving it a few hundred feet out of the driveway, the engine revved (like it was shifted into neutral) and then quit. We tried to re start but no luck. When at home, we checked to see if valves were moving --OK. We checked compression in 2 places -- no compression at all. What could cause this severe lack of compression? We are totally puzzled.
  • bombardierbombardier Member Posts: 9
    Hello. I have a 2004 Freestar LTD. When driving for 10 minutes at 50 MPH a loud squeeling sound comes from the front end. When you slow down to 30 MPH it dissapears. It will then come back as you accelerate. If you stay under 50 MPH nothing is heard. What could this be?
  • scootchymagooscootchymagoo Member Posts: 2
    My Wife and I just recently purchased a 2002 Ford Windstar limited with 50,000 miles on it, today while driving on the highway it would hesitate and sputter at around 55. So bought a bottle of fuel injection cleaner and topped off the tank thinking maybe the fuel lines might be a little dirty, but the more we drove today the more we noticed it at different speeds, when it "sputters" my rpms jump about 500 rpms depending where they are already at, but just as quickly as it hicups it corrects itself, I am not a car guy but i am not stupid to cars either, could this be a transmition problem if so will our 30 day powertrain warrenty cover that any help would be appriciated!
  • dmnifongdmnifong Member Posts: 2
    check the intake runner assembly this vehicle has the ford sho engine and your intake runner assembly may be switching from the small intake to the large intake thus giving you a huge power surge since the idea was to switch between power and economy.
  • od1od1 Member Posts: 2
    Is the DPFE sensor hard to change? any advise in parcticular.

    Would leaking of an air intake gasket cause the check engine light to come on?
  • soldonpattisoldonpatti Member Posts: 2
    My husband just changed DPFE Sensor and it didn't take too long. Parts America called it a EGR sensor cost $62 there. Napa called it something different * cost $104 there. It took about 15 minutes to change. on the Windstar it was easy to get to.
  • minvanmomminvanmom Member Posts: 1
    Help! I just brought a Ford Windstar from a friend and can not keep it from cutting off. I was told that I might need a new engine, but I was also told to try some lucas oil treatment to quiet down the rattle in my engine and give it a fighting chance. The lucas made it quieter but it seems to cut itself off. As if my van, Melba (my van's name)just keeps giving up on me. I want this van more than anything and am willing to do whatever needed to bring life back into her. Any suggestions would be much appreciated and since you seem to have owned so many I thought you would be perfect to contact. Help me please!! :cry: :confuse: :cry:
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    Are you talking about the van stalling at stop signs or when making slow turns? If so, it may be your air bypass valve. See my post 2113. Good luck.
  • clathamclatham Member Posts: 1
    anybody need a 95 windstar whole or parts B.O. i am in sw Pa.
  • hawkeye112hawkeye112 Member Posts: 1
    Hi, is anyone else having this problem? We insert the key and it wont turn unless we twist the steering back and forth. This is an intermittent problem as other times it works fine. I know this happens on other Ford makes such as Escort and Focus.Any help would be appreciated.
  • ronallenronallen Member Posts: 1
    I bought a used '96 Windstar, 11/02 with 139K miles. 3.0
    Over the years, I have replaced the brakes, had the front end aligned, tuneup, starter, transmission fluid service, with the minor adjustments when they did the oil change and find something that needs done. Faithfully have done my oil changes between 3K & 4K miles. I now have 185K miles and trying to keep the minivan running. Still running good after doing some minor work over the last few months. I noticed a slow start with the transmission - that I noticed on some of the comments of this board and also they said I have some leaks (seals) that I also have seen on this site, even though I have not seen any leaks on the ground or garage. Was just wondering about how long before (my biggest fear) the transmission goes or any other major item that I should be worry about.
    I am new to the site here and really enjoyed looking at some of the comments
    Thanks.
  • mfasnachtmfasnacht Member Posts: 1
    Is the pulley on the 1999 3.0L the same as the 3.8L? i have searched hi and low for a pulley for the 3.8 and all i find is for the 3.0 will this fit? :confuse:
  • ynotmeynotme Member Posts: 2
    99 keyless remote inoperable Does anyone have any ideas of what it can be? Batteries in remote are good . Does anyone have any solutions? Where is the receiver located?
  • ynotmeynotme Member Posts: 2
    check engine light on, van shakes, vibrates and wants to stall especially at low speed are when stopped at a red light.Does anyone have any solutions on how to fix the problem.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 0
    Possibly your air bypass valve. But my Check Engine Light wasn't on when my Van did the same thing. Easy to replace yourself.
  • oadkinsoadkins Member Posts: 1
    I own a 1999 on which this has happened to me twice. It can give you a panic attack if it happens in the wrong place. The second time it happened to me my car was in our garage but everything that I tried did not solve the problem. After cooling down I tried to think it through an came to the conclusion that the problem was one of the fact that the ignition was not registering the fact that the gear shift lever was in the "park" mode. So, the parking pawl pin inside the transmission must be fouled in some manner and not making contact.
    To try to rectify this I pushed hard on the outside of the van back and forth to try to give it a rocking motion. I then got in the van and "bingo" it started. It has not happened since but you might try this is yours should repeat.. Best regards --- OMA
  • slave2christslave2christ Member Posts: 1
    I have the Haynes manual for my 1998 Windstar. I followed the instructions and got advice from JustAnswers.com.

    I removed the nut and bolt, as described. The starter wouldn't budge. I tapped it (then pounded it) with a rubber mallet. I tried prying it. But the starter will not budge even a centimeter. I've tried everything I can think of except nukes.

    Anyone have any other suggestions?
  • fixeddailyfixeddaily Member Posts: 11
    I have a 2002 Windstar. It won't start, and there is a very loud clicking sound when I try to start it. Interior lights and other accessories work, and I tried jump-starting it (no difference). Could it be the starter, solenoid?
  • rwengrrwengr Member Posts: 177
    I have a 96 Windstar. The spare is external under the trunk and is NOT the full size. Does anybody know if I can mount a FULL size external spare? Thanks in advance
  • rwengrrwengr Member Posts: 177
    The clicking sound you hear is the solenoid in the starter when it tries to crank. On my 96 Windstar the solenoid/starter is all 1 unit. If your battery is bad, you may not be able to jump start it. Remove battery and take it to somebody like Autozone. Make sure battery tests OK and is fully charged and put back in. If it starts, then something is running down the battery or it is not getting properly recharged (alternator ?). If it doesn't start with a good battery, the starter may be bad. Good luck.
  • metalibrarianmetalibrarian Member Posts: 29
    I think you can mount a fullsize spare under the rear of your Windstar. I have a 98 Windstar and I did it once. Of course you would have to be able to do this because if it really came to pass that you had a flat and you had to use the temporary spare, you would either have to mount the full size flat tire underneath on the spare's wire or you would have to put it loose in the cargo area along with its mud and grime.

    Of course if you want to be absolutely certain, just pretend you have a flat on one of your rear tires, mount the temp spare on the axle, and put the full size on the spare's wire and hoist it up. I think you will find it fits snugly within the guides. And this would be good practice for a real emergency.

    I hate temporary spares--what do you do on the Interstate in the middle of the night when you''re halfway across Texas or someplace. You can't get the flat fixed at that hour and you're not supposed to drive very much on the temp. I have intended to buy a full size inexpensive tire from Tire Rack and have them mount it on a rim they took off a car when the sold the owner alloy wheels. Twelve years and I never got around to it. About a hundred bucks but well worth it when you think of the flexibility and safety it would give. My 2006 Toyota Camry came with a full size spare, a surprise blessing.
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    "Twelve years and I never got around to it."

    Oh, exactly the same situation here. I had done that with our previous minivan, but never did get it done on the 1997 Windstar. We also towed a camping trailer and you are not supposed to tow with mini spare. Luckily never had a flat tire, until...

    My daughter was 800 miles away using our windstar, which had just gotten brand new tires and she had a flat. Obviously she was not going to drive all the way home on the mini. The new tire had come with a free 12 mo road hazard warranty, but no one had that tire in the area. She ended up getting a bald tire mounted for $30 or so, just to get home.

    Now I put the bald tire in the garage and if anyone were to go on a long trip in the old minivan, I'd just throw it in the back, so that it could be remounted to get home.
  • metalibrarianmetalibrarian Member Posts: 29
    It's very good to see this site back in operation--it's been asleep too long. Obviously some of us have this old minivan still on the road. Mine is 12 years old with 92,000 miles and I'm going to overhaul some systems to get another 4 to 6 years out of it. First of all, I'll have the rubber hoses in the cooling system changed: two radiator and two heater hoses, with new fluid. Then I'll change the transmission and power steering fluids. The brakes and tires have already been done. A thorough safety chek. The engine runs well and she smogs beautifully. What else?

    I know people have had enough troubles with the Windstar but I've gone many a year with just oil changes needed. Knock on wood. I figure I'll put under a thousand dollars into it to bring up to snuff
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    I never had many problems with our 1997, until it got up in the mileage range that you are reaching. Then it was head, intake, and front cover gaskets leaking. The only reason ours is still going is I had all that and more taken care of at a tech college, for the price of parts only, a couple years ago.

    Subsequently there was power steering pump and rack.
  • rwengrrwengr Member Posts: 177
    Has anyone removed the 3rd row seat on a 95-98 Windstar. I want to expand the cargo area. Are there any potential issues? Is there a recommended procedure or does Ford say you're on your own? Thanks in advance
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    I've put it in and out many, many times in a '97. I just fold the seat back down, pull the two release levers and slide it out the back. It is pretty heavy and bulky, so you may want two people, though I have done it myself at times.
  • metalibrarianmetalibrarian Member Posts: 29
    For a long trip you might consider taking the center seat out rather than the rear seat. We did that once on a coast-to-coast round trip with three people in the Windstar. That way you can put food, drinks, games and pillows in the middle where everybody can reach them. Also plenty of leg room for whoever is in the back seat. Still some cargo area left behind the rear seat. The thing I always liked about minivans is that they are like a small family room. A comfortable way to travel with more space but not more cost than a sedan.
  • bigguy1960bigguy1960 Member Posts: 2
    I have a '95 Windstar and I am annoyed that the windshield wipers, particularly the drivers side, are nearly useless at freeway speeds - the wind lifts them so that they only clean the upper 1/3 of the sweep. Many years ago I had a VW Quantum wagon with a plastic wind deflector mounted to the arm to hold it against the windshield - I have searched all over eBay and the internet looking for an add-on for my wipers, with no luck. Maybe I'm not using the right terminology, but has anyone ever seen or bought something similar? Or found a solution to the wiper lifting problem?
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    Never had that problem myself, but you might try Bosch Icons, Trico Neoform or Rain-X Latitude wiper blades. These each have a built in "spoiler". I have found this style of blade to generally perform better for longer and they are certainly much better for winter.
  • shawnmweeksshawnmweeks Member Posts: 1
    My uncle took out my after market radio to fix the heater gear in the back of the dash. when he put my radio back in, it would not turn on. But i have power to it and can put in a CD and press eject on the face plate and the CD comes out. Then After i looked at it, i tried to put my original stock radio in it and it doesn't turn on, but i can put in a CD and eject it. And also the clock shows up on the stock radio when i turn my lights on. Any help with this would be great
  • rwengrrwengr Member Posts: 177
    If you didn't disconnect negative battery cable before removal or during installation. it you may have subjected it to intermittent power when you disconnected it or reconnected it, The radio may have accidentally been ON when you reinstalled it.

    If the radio makes some noise, but no stations received, it may be the antenna wire is not installed or connector/wire got damaged during process.

    If its real dry and you've experienced any static shocks lately, google the web for ESD precautions when working with electronic devices. Your typical consumer electronics for your home is designed to eliminate this problem, but when you are doing your own technician work, things are different.

    Look for a replacement radio on the internet.
  • bigguy1960bigguy1960 Member Posts: 2
    My '95 Windstar with a 3.8L has a power steering pump that moans - mostly when doing low-spped turns or when turning the wheel while not moving. It has plenty of fluid, and works OK, and other Ford products I've had also moaned - should I replace the pump, or just let it moan? Its not real loud, but sometimes is makes itself known when accelerating in a strainght line.
  • jtremblayjtremblay Member Posts: 1
    my engine coded, and will be fixed this week but i would like to know why the light would flash and not come on steady like i have seen?
  • jeffyscottjeffyscott Member Posts: 3,855
    As I recall, the owners manual says something like the flashing light means there is a significant problem and you should stop driving immediately to avoid damaging the engine.
  • mickjordanmickjordan Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone put snow cables/chains on the standard 225/60R16 Windstar tires? I have a trip planned that might need chains but I see that the owners manual specifically says not to put chains on these tires. Indeed the clearance between the tire and the spiral metal suspension component inside the wheelwell is very tight. Presumably you are supposed to fit smaller tires, e.g. 215/60R16, but that's a pain.
  • rwengrrwengr Member Posts: 177
    You might want to consider a pair of "winter" tires for the front. I used to live in Pa. and before front wheel drive, chains were very common. With fwd all the weight over the tires improves traction. If fwd+snow tires doesn't make it, chains will probably not make it. Take a metal shovel and a bag of sand. Your biggest problem might be that the Windstar does not have much ground clearance.

    One drawback of chains is that the main roads might be clear and then you'll have to take them off.
  • mickjordanmickjordan Member Posts: 2
    I live in the SF Bay Area so only need to carry chains for the pass over I80 to Reno. When the CHP imposes chain controls you are not allowed on the road without chains or 4WD. I'm pretty sure I used chains on this vehicle way back in 2001 but they were installed for a fee by one of the professional chain installers. To me it looks impossible given the clearance. What I am assuming is that the chain (cable) probably rubs against the pad at the bottom of the steel coil but doesn't do any damage. Annoying as I just has new tires installed and I could have got 215/60R16. It pays to read the manual, although I am amazed that a US company would outfit a vehicle with tires that cannot take chains.
  • aseger02aseger02 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased a 2003 Winstar SEL about a year ago. I have done the usual mechanical stuff to the van. Tune up, oil changes, etc. But I have been having some major problems with it. Started about a week after we left the lot. Have taken it to several mechanics and they have not been able to figure it out. The auto slidding doors wont unlock, open when you push the button, or close when you push the button. Does not happen all the time but most of the time. The interior lights flicker on and off at all different times. When I am at a stop light the motor sputters like it is not wanting to stay on. Kind of like it is not getting gas but everything flickers, radio and headlights for example. Can someone help please.
  • rwengrrwengr Member Posts: 177
    I don't know if this helps but I was working on my 96 Windstar and had to remove and reinstall alternator. The control wire was loose and during test drive I began to notice weird electrical symptoms. Vehicle will try to run off battery if alternator not putting out sufficient current. In my case it quit before I got home. Recharged battery and secured control connector. It was OK.

    If you really like it(engine/ride/trans/paint OK) one option is to replace alternator and battery and go from there. Alternator problems can be tricky. On my Windsar, alternator is easy to get to. You will need a special tool to remove serpentine belt.

    I've owned 2 Fords. Each had power window or power lock actuators replaced. If a button control assembly is bad you can get one from a salvage yard. I use a body shop. I'm a DIYer but not for doors,locks, and windows.

    Always disconnect (-) of battery before working on any electrical system.
  • alexloomisalexloomis Member Posts: 1
    i have a 1999 Ford Windstar SEL and was having the same problems my overdrive would turn off when i was goin down the highway to. the problem is a throttle body module. I got one for fifty bucks at a salvage and havent had any more problems
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles