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Ford Windstar Problems
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Comments
So far, our 99 SE (77k miles) has been in the shop 5 times for the check engine light since mid-November. And yes, the shop is one that I do trust.
The following has been replaced during the various shop visits and I know I'm forgetting something (receipts not in front of me): mass air sensor (?), fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump. The fuel system was thought to be the culprit because the O2 sensors checked out. With the O2 working, the next step was to consider the fuel delivery. The fuel pressure was fluctuating while the engine was running. Therefore, the filter, regulator and finally pump were replaced after each was tested and found to be suspect.
About every two weeks the light simply comes back on. The van runs fine. No hard starts. No rough idle. Plenty of get-up-and-go even with the 'fault' is detected.
Oh, and in between, the light came on for an emissions code. The gas cap was replaced.
In July the van wouldn't start. At that time, we had the valve cover gasket replaced per a service bulletin (as has been reported by other folks). To fix the fault, the Idle Air Control Valve motor was replaced.
Now, the light came back on a couple of days ago and the mechanics just don't have a clue. Even though the reoccuring code doesn't have an effect on the driveability, it is very unnerving to see the light glowing all the time. How would you know if it is something more drastic?
2. Assuming a 3.8L engine, on the front/top of the engine (passenger side of vehicle) there is a gadget called the IMRC (Intake Manifold Runner Control). Don't ask me exactly what it does. I really don't know. I do know its a little electric motor with a crank arm that has little formed wire linkages connected to it. Now at each end of the wire links there should be little plastic bushings. You're looking for a total of 4 bushings. The bushings may be missing. Engine heat will take its toll and cause this bushings to crack and fall out. This causes strange things to happen to the engine. A bag of 4 bushings will cost you $15+/-.
I just purchased a base windstar for cash, on 1/11/03 and it's been in the shop since 1/27/03 due to a faulty turn signal and headlight and the driver door not closing easily.
For the lights, they thoght it was a module, replaced it, still didn't fix it, now they are replacing the wiring harness.
Called Ford, they said they have no power to do anything about swapping vehicles, called the dealer, and they said ford has the power.
For a new vehicle bought off the lot with 3 miles on it, it shouldn't need a new wiring harness.
Windstars have a five star safety rating??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHA
Tell that to my wife who doesn't want it back!
got to the dealer at 5 to pick it up, it was up on the lift, some problem with the abs light on the dash, they fixed that and drove it up to the other side of the dealership to wash it, and the drivers window wouldnt' go up. Fixed that (45 minutes later) and it was ready to leave.
while driving home I clicked the window washer for the front, and it sprayed the front window, and the rear wiper came on...
I then sprayed the rear window and the front wiper came on.
you can bet this will be back in the shop monday.
Oh yea...they are "giving" me a free extended warrenty, my comment to the service manager was "it looks like I will need it if I keep this piece of junk".
have a nice day...
Rich
I always said that I would never be caught driving a van because they seem so "mother of 11!"! Since I drove one for a vacation, I had to have one. And I don't care if I look like a mother of 11! LOL!
Has anyone purchased the TV/VCR system separately? I have checked some prices and models, and heard through a friend that I can get one for about $400, the kind that goes on the floor. I think I would prefer the one that goes on top, but I guess that is more expensive. Any input on this topic would be really appreciated.
We have the older model with the screen attached to the rear of the console. The new model has the screen mounted on the top.
During the test drive period before finally going with the Windstar, I asked my son if he liked the TV/VCR of one of the GM vehicles. He said, "No, having to look up at the screen hurts my neck".
Something to think about if you have young kids. The down side to the lower model is that if you have five passengers in the back one person does not have a good view of the screen. Hope this helps.
Good luck with the TV/VCR. It was a good comment about having to look up all the time. The one on the floor I assume is the kind built into the center counsel or is just a pack that attaches to it.
As for a van being a Mother of 11 we are mother and father to 6 retired racing greyhounds and a Chinese crested ((small little dog) and as I have said previously: A box is the best way to carry things and that is what a van is, a box on wheels no matter how you look at it. We could not do without one. You buy what you need and if a van is what you need, then you get a van. We are lucky, I have a 2001 Suzuki XL-7 and my wife has a maxima so we have all three food groups: car, van and SUV. We drive what we need as we need them. No SUV including the suburban or Excursion can hold as much as a van, plus a van is easier for the dogs to get into.
Maybe you can extrapolate something from this article:
Ford's 3.8-Liter V-6 Head Gasket Problem - Straight Talk
Steve, Host
I owned two Taurus wagons in the past. One had a 3.8 liter (and yes the head gasket did blow..it was a 1990 model), and the other had a 3.0 liter V6. The 3.0 liter V6 performance was very similar to the 3.8, but the reliability was excellent. I sold the car with 155K on it, and I never had any problem with the 3.0 liter engine except for a tank mounted fuel pump at about 80K. But no head gasket problems or any of that 3.8 stuff. I've read on other web-sites from 3.0 liter owners who have 200K + on the engine, and it still runs fine. This engine drivetrain swap may be something to consider when your 3.8 liter blows and you want to keep the van but don't want to spend thousands putting in the same piece of crap 3.8 liter engine. Apparently Ford can design headgaskets properly in a few of their engines. Transmissions are another story though! Just remember to change that trans fluid very regularly (I pump 5 qts out every 10K, takes 15 minutes) and baby it because you are driving a Ford after all.
Sienna, here I come.
About Toyotas. My brother-in-law has driven Camrys for 15 years. His 1999 just blew an engine at the tune of $5000 with 59K on it, and it took him 8 months arguing with Toyota to pay for most of it even though the warranty went to 60K. I don't know if the Sienna is based on the Camry, but if it is, good luck with Toyota.
As for the Toyota . . . I'm hoping for some Toyota reliability magic to happen. Frankly, I'm so fed up with automobiles in general I'm ready to scream. The Camry story bugs me less because of the blown engine than Toyota's stonewalling. Makes me want to curl up into a fetal position and forget the whole thing . . .
I took my daughter (age 9) to piano lessons tonight. As we walked from the "crapstar" to the door of the music studio, I looked back at the van and noticed that the dome light was staying on abnormally long AGAIN. But then about a minute later it shut off (I think I willed it to). I told my daughter that the crapstar was messing with us again. She ask why I called it a crapstar. I told her if I praised it, the van would probably break!
So far it's working. It's a 1998 with 85K on it, and really the only problem I've had is with the dome lights. But I'll keep calling it a crapstar, so it doesn't get a big head (because we know it really is...it just hasn't shown it YET).
At about 60K, I took it to Ford for some routine maintenance. At the time I had just bought my extended warranty. The service manager said, "That's good because you'll probably need it." So much for building ones confidence level! I think I even told the service manager that I call the van a crapstar.
Maybe Ford can re-name it "Crapstar", and even write the name in that curly-Q writing like they did with the name "Windstar". Oh well, I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope it keeps running, or at least blows up BEFORE my extended warranty runs out at 100K.
As for the Toyota engines, I have heard that the failures are due to excessive sludge forming in the engine even with regular oil changes. My brother-in-law is very religious about servicing his vehicles, so I don't think his engine blew because of lack of service. He is also very aggressive when it comes to demanding good service (we have gotten a number of free meals with him when he complains at a restaurant); therefore, if it took him 8 months to get Toyota to pay for some of his engine, then the average Joe would have gotten nothing.
However, do not sell it simply based on this board. The 95 was famous for lots of things, but only the head gasket showed up on mine. It was totaled with 135k on it and between 70K and when it was hit I only had the ground strap break. Other than that it never let us down. The rule of thumb I go by is unless you put out more than a car payment a month on repairs keep what you have if you like it.
Tips & Advice - Warranty
Steve, Host
Just had a $3600 repair on transmission and lower intake manifold (I think the head gasket is part of this).
Still drivable, but I will be taking it in for more repairs. The transmission repair doesn't have the van performing like it used to. Only from a stopped position and engaging the first gear that I notice a hesisitation as if it was a manual transmission. With the original tranny, I could floor it and it would just go. Now, it revs 2k+ and just lulls down to 1800rpms until it catches the gear (less than 2 seconds) and then it goes.
I still owe $5000 left on this piece of junk and may start calling it crapstar as well. I really like this van, but I think it will be wise of me to considering getting rid of it!
Could these be related?
Maybe a power steering pump problem?
Any thoughts?
2000 SEL 51,500 miles.
Thanks
What do I dislike about the Windstar? Remote lock should have some means of being differentiated from unlock... in the dark it's easy to press the wrong button on the remote. Bench seat needs to have more rugged wheels for removal. Headphones need to be wireless. The original Windstar seats were wider and more comfy. And the original Windstar had a wider access to the rearmost bench seat for us wider people.
All in all.... everyone I know with a Windstar has had great luck with them.
FWIW
...my problems continued...
The odometer/ABS light problem turned out to be some short in the system. Cruise control switch and servo was replaced. About $450 total. So now my cruise control works. Squeaking noise I had on turning left was a dry tie rod. Both replaced for about $200.
I had them check into the tranny they fixed. Seems to slip on first gear. Engine would seem to hesitate at about 1800rpm for a second or two and finally catch gear.
Your input is appreciated.
SEL3
It's pretty but seems plagued by all of the same problems posted on this board. I believe it has built in obsolescence. When the 36,000 miles hit I got a call to purchase an extended warranty (had it already) Then at 50,000 another extended warranty sales call.
In the recent 6 months it has been repeatedly in the shop. Each time I get it back something else is wrong or they can't replicate the problem or they have to order a part. We are supposed to have a rental car and disappearing deductible. Always a hassle and charge. Rarely do we get the rental. (has to be an overnighter)
The big problems are everything electrical-lights doors windows- steering out (twice), ABS, torque converter, $300 battery, melted plastic smell, airbag-horn sensor out, surging accelerator
I am convinced there is an electrical problem at the source- but I'm not a mechanic.
Reading this site has validated my complaints. I know that they are REAL. I also thought about extending my extended for a few grand to squeeze out the lost value of my purchase. Now the trips to the shop are too frequent and not resolving the never ending list of problems.
I am considering replacing my van with some other line of auto that may cost more but has a solid reliability rating.
My caution is to look carefully for Ford under the hood. Volvo is owned by them and my last car-Mazda 626 1994 -had a problematic Ford transmission.
I am disappointed that after such a big investment has been made that I won't be able to keep the van for another 50,000.
such is life these days.
the something more was they did a diagnostic test to determine it was just the battery. I screamed my husband paid just to get it back.
Thanks
I need to fix it ASAP the wife is getting antsy.
I had a mechanic look at it without success. Any help would be greatly appreciated.