general problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar - part 2

I was driving my car when the wires behind the motor started a fire, no repairs were done.

Van caught on fire.

The brake deactivation switch located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) develops a leaking and "abs" light turn on in the dashboard in my 1999 Windstar se van since on sept. 29, 2009, therefore mph is not working on speed-o-meter and mileage gets blank likes "---------". Also heat & a/c fan motor is working fine but heat and a/c did not operate as well. Cruise control has also quit.

My speedometer wasn't reading correctly, possibly 10 to 15 miles an hour off, making it impossible to maintain the correct speed. I wasn't aware of the problem until I got a radar ticket in the mail. I knew what speed I was traveling according to the speedometer and it was different than was indicated. I found a web site which described the problem I was experiencing along with other problems that I was having. These were the speedometer, cruise control sometimes not working then quit altogether, abs light is on, sometimes the brake light would come on then go off, and the air conditioner would sometimes quit working. I thought they were unrelated but after the speeding ticket discovered they were caused by the same problem, a switch connected to the brake master cylinder. I took the measures to fix the problem and the abs light is still on but the other systems work fine now. The ac works, the speedometer works right, the cruise control works, and the brake light went out.

1999 Ford Windstar. Last week of July/2009, had Ford dealer replaced front rotors & pads + rear shoes & machined rear drums. Within 1st week after brakes job abs light began cycling on & off. After the 4th week, the abs light stayed solid. Cruise control is also not functioning. Ford dealer says might have to replace abs control module. Read somewhere that controls of these two components might be affected by brake fluid leaking from master cylinder into a switch thereafter moisture will accumulate in the switch causing a short blowing fuse #10. Also read that this brake fluid leakage might lead to a fire subsequently. Repairs have been quoted to be high. Will repair once have sufficient money saved.

First occurance of the abs light coming on resulted in producing diagnostic codes of c1185 c1242 and an abs rear sensor code. The abs light was very intermittent a first but now has become much more frequent. The light will display more so on bumpy roads and hot days. I depend on my abs system because I am handicaped and live in northern climate (snow and ice conditions). I can know longer depend on my abs system to help prevent an accident or an impact.

2 weeks ago, my family and I had made a trip to the dallas texas area. A few days into the vacation we had gone to church. Well, when we had left church, I noticed that the speedometer, the air conditioning system were not working. I also noticed that the abs was on. My father-in-law suggested that there was a fuse problem that made the ac stop working. We looked the fuses over and replaced the burnt ones according to the manual. The problem still persisted until we had left texas. On the way back home, (we were in oklahoma at the time) we had stopped at a gas station to fuel up. Leaving the gas station onto the highway our dash lights went out completely (it was around 5 am). So I pulled over to see what the problem was, by this time the hood of the van was blowing out faint smoke. We looked under the driver's side and seen there was a fire. My wife and I immediately got our 3 kids out of the van and into our parent's car, while my father-in-law doused the flames. Thank god we had road side assistance that towed us to the nearest autozone. We were shocked as to what exactly had happened. After replacing some more fuses, we got it up and running long enough to make it home. The speedometer still does not function properly and the abs light is still on. During that time we noticed that the connection under the master cylinder that housed the abs module had completely melted and had started the fire. I went on the internet to see if anyone else had the same problem. It seems to me that this has been a big issue with 1995-2003 Windstar models. I have owned this vehicle for approximately 10 months and have not had any problems except for this. Like I have stated before, I have 3 babies that could have been harmed or killed by a faulty design on this vehicle. I would like to know what could be done about this issue. I do not have the money at this time to have it repaired to insure that it wont happen again. The vehicle is drivable but does not have ac/heat/ or abs.

Loss of brake fluid, brake light on after service,brake light red, 15 amp fuse blowing out, smoke coming from under the hood or from engine compartment,speedometer and odometer stopped working, cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning, abs warning light is on.

1999 Ford Windstar abs electronic control module failure. Abs warning light in dash has become illuminated and diagnostic codes indicate abs ecm relay failure. Failure is due to a poor design, and poor materials choice in the construction of the anti-lock brake system electronic control module. Module failure effects the traction control system and results in unexpected, random braking of the vehicle. Removal of fuses of circuits 101 and 102, DE-energize abs system and traction control and makes the vehicle operable again, without abs brakes or traction control.

The dashboard guages, tachometer, speedometer, gas, and temperature go haywire constantly. One time on a hill, I could not put the shift lever in park so that I could assist a handicapped family member out of my vehicle. The tachometer needle was pinned to the right, and the shift indicater couldn't move to the right to engage park. I never knew how much gas I had, the speed I was going, or the running temperature of my vehicle. The check engine light ran constantly even though there was no code showing up in the emission code scanner. . $ sets of intake manifold gaskets were installed after I purchased the vehicle. 3 by Ford, one by another mechanic. I have a cracked rear axle, the van sits at the dealership, and I am worried about the front-end sub-frame.

Multiple abs light problems. Most recent fixed by replacing brake switch and harness. Structural problems had caused shorted fuse which knocked out speedometer, heater and cruise control. This bill was $336. 86, and it's the fourth time we've had abs-related problems. Recall needed!.

1999 Ford Windstar 3. 0l 4sp auto. Anti lock brake control module (tested at my expense $70) has gone bad, seems to be a big problem as many people have reported this. I have no odometer, speedometer or anti lock brakes. The engine also shuts off on its own on occasion, don't know if that's related or not. Van runs good otherwise, has 107000 miles on it I think, since the odometer hasn't worked for 3 months. I cant even get a replacement module unless I go to Ford and then I have to pay to have it programmed too. Its shameful how much of the gauges are affected. I could live without the antilock, but I need a speedometer, my van is dead in the driveway until I work enough overtime to pay for something that shouldn't have gone out.

Speedometer, odometer, air conditioning, cruise control quit working. ( approximately late February 2009) brake light constantly lit. Rear passenger compartment fan constantly on when heat/ac engaged. #10 fuse blown. Fix was on 3/25/09---brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) and plug and fuse #10 replaced. Some leakage of brake fluid with corrosion evident to mechanic, although minimal wire damage noted. Mechanic believes that fluid had just recently started leaking.

Cruise control went out 12/2008. Then on 1/31/09, the speedomter & odometer quit working and the abs warning light appeared on the dashboard. Taken to Ford garage to fix the problems.

On the Windstar the abs relay shorts out putting a small hole in the unit and leaks brake fluid. I have met other Windstar owners and this has happened on a lot of them. It cost me over $200 to fix at the dealer and was told this is a problem on Ford trucks and was recalled on them but not the vans yet.

Abs dash light comes on randomly ,, seems more frequent when weather is hot. Abs does not work when light is on. . . But does work when the warning light is not on. . . . Diagnostic fault = c1185 . . . Rear brakes replaced, fault code cleared . . . Error and warning light returned within 30 seconds after pick-up from Ford service.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the speedometer, odometer, air conditioner and heating unit failed. The air bag warning light remained illuminates and would not shut off. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing to determine the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

1999 Ford Windstar was observed producing smoke while sitting in the driveway at 7:00am 7/31/08 (the vehicle was last driven around 8:00pm the previous evening). The vehicle was started and driven to a local mechanic who reported the abs unit had burned and apparently smoldered out on its own. The abs unit was disconnected and the mechanic advised to contact a Ford dealer to see if the item was under recall due to his personal experience in dealing with these defects. Holman Ford (mt. Laurel, NJ) service department was contacted and stated there were no recalls on that particular vehicle. Note: roughly 1 month prior to the incident, the cruise control, air conditioner, and other electronic items stopped functioning. The service mechanic observed the cruise control unit appeared burned.

For the past year, I have had the following issues with my 1999 Ford Windstar: 1. Abs light come on and off. . . Now stays on 2. Red emergency brake light comes on. 3. Interior lights and locks work without pressing a switch. In last month: speedometer and odometer stopped working a/c stopped at same time these issues seem to be a common problem with this car. . . . . . What can your agency do to make Ford correct this situation since the mechanics don't have any idea about an economical solution. Thank you.

Ongoing failure of fuse that controls the speedometer/ac and abs. Leak from under master break cylinder onto switch. Fixed by repair shop. 1999 Ford Windstar.

1999 Ford Windstar faulty brake pressure switch for cruise control needed to be replaced. From the website, Ford Windstar recall: many owners of these popular vans have encountered any of the following problems. Ford has not taken action to solve these critical problems yet.

1999 Ford Windstar brake, abs brake stays on, cruise control went out, and speedometer/odometer went out. Fuse blew and continues to blow. Ford has a redesigned brake pressure switch, but will not say it is a recall.

Abs light on, speedometer/odometer do not work, leak from master cylinder visible on connectors below it.

I have a 1999 Ford Windstar, 3. 8l engine. Abs brake light on, no speedometer, no odometer, no air conditioning. Took to a repair shop, they found fuse #10 was blown. Replaced the fuse and smoke started to come up from the master cylinder area, he removed the electrical connection plug for the brake pressure switch located on the bottom of the master cylinder. Thankfully this did not occur while my wife and children in the vehicle, so no one was injured. I have read on the internet of several Windstars with this same problem, and believe Ford should do something to rectify this problem.

My 1999 Ford Windstar has an issue with fuse #10 blowing which affects the speedometer (does not work) as well as a/c which only blows hot air. The abs brake light stays on and much more instrumentation is inoperable including cruise control. This first happened while on a highway in colorado. My husband and I pulled over and checked the manual. We replaced fuse #10 and all worked fine for a couple of months. Then the fuse began blowing each time I turned on the car. We bought several extra fuses as we were getting ready to drive to our new home in arizona. This was July 11, 2008. The car ran for 12 hours on a new fuse with no problem. We stopped and rested for three hours and continued our road trip on July 12th. The fuse blew when I started the car and several new fuses never got it to work again. I had to drive the last leg (four hours) of my trip with no a/c (desert climate) and worst of all no knowledge of how fast I was going. That was scary. I took the car to a mechanic in tucson, az and they told me I had some recall issues and that I should go to a Ford dealership. I looked up recalls and found a website with Ford Windstar owners who have similar issues. Apparently, there is currently no recall for them at this time. They state it is under investigation. I hope so as I spent $1300. 00 on a/c and heater problems last winter. My van has 115,000 miles on it and I need it to last me long enough until I get a new job in arizona. It is unsafe to drive at this time. Thank you.

The abs light comes on when the car has been running for over 30 minutes. Received following codes. C1185 c1194 c1198 c1210 c1214 c1242 c1246 c1250 c1254.

I have 1999 Ford Windstar. I have had problems with the speedometer and the odometer, jumping I have no idea how fast I am going, now my gas hand and temp. Control is doing the same thing. It has been doing this for a year and half. I have had it to two different garages. No one can find the problem.

I purchased a 1999 Ford Windstar a few months ago. I have had nothing but problems with it. In fact, I have spent more than half of what I paid for the vehicle in repairs in only 2 months. The reason for my complaint is that the most recent repairs have involved items that I feel are extreme safety concerns. 1- the power doors on my vehicle to not lock/unlock properly, making it unable to open the sliding doors. This was looked at by the Ford mechanic today. I was told that the door latches were bad and were "burning up" the door lock actuators. I'm not sure if this is the reason, but also lately, my door ajar light comes on my dash and the interior lights are coming on intermittently while driving. I have 3 children, two of them in car seats and unable to get them selves out of a car. I am concerned that if something were to happen such as an accident or an emergency situation that I would not be able to get my children out of the vehicle. I am paying to have this repaired at the tune of around $1,000. 00 which I think is a real rip off, due to Fords poorly manufactured vehicle. 2. My brake light stopped working on the left side of my van. I changed the bulb and tested it, and did not fix the problem. I then noticed that my rear tail light is now not working. I had this checked out by the mechanic today, and was told it is the rear electronic control module which is going to cost me nearly $600 to fix. I'm not sure what would cause such a thing to fail, but this is definitely a safety concern, where lights come into play. I could have been rear ended due to this malfunction. I'm beginning to wonder if Ford is in the auto making/selling business, or the service business. It appears to me that they are poorly manufacturing vehicles only providing job security for the mechanics. Please investigate this situation. Any help in remedying this and getting Ford to pay for their mistakes would be greatly appreciated.

Speedometer going haywire, odometer up and down, overdrive flashing,brake light on, abs light on. '99 Windstar a complete lemon from 30,000 miles on. In shop at 34000 miles for six weeks. Presently smoke from under hood caused by brake pressure deactivation switch. Replacing this date. Previous quote for repair approximately $600. 00. Replacing myself for $21. 00. This is obviously a common occurrence, and should be corrected before someone catches on fire. Luckily I caught this in time to prevent more serious damage.

Abs warning light keep coming on. It will go off for a while then come back on. Goodyear said I probably need new computer chip that the abs one was defective.

The antilock brakes light stays on,and abs does not work . Ford did recall related to the brakes fluid causing a fire, now the cruise control does not work. Abs is a safety issue . This is a manufacturer defect and should be corrected. Please dont wait until more people die. Recall this shabby workmanship.

I bought my 99 Ford Windstar sel in March of this year (2006) and not even a week after I bought it when I would pull out from red lights or stop signs and the van would either die on me in the middle of the road or would continuously hesitate. I brought it back to the dealership and the first time they said that it was my keys so they reprogrammed my keys. Then it happened again as soon as I left the dealership, I brought it back a second time, they told me that they believed it had to do with my theft device. They assured me it was fixed then sent me home with it. A couple of days later it did the same thing again only this time every time I got in my van or closed my driver door from entering or exiting my van it would tell me on my message system that my driver door was ajar which lead to the interior lights being on. It did that the day I took it home from the dealership so I had to bring it back for a third time now for the re-occurring problem I was having and now with the door being said to be open. They finally said they found the problem and that Ford told them that there was a similar incident with another van like mine and said that they had to replace the cip sycronizor. I was able to take my van home again and they problem had been fixed all except the message I still get to this day about my driver door being ajar when it isn't. It didn't do it to me before I took it to the dealership and now they won't fix it when it was a result from them having it. Keep in mind each of the 3 times I had to take it in I had to leave it with them for 1-3 days each time! no loan car was offered to me so I was left with no car and I have 3 small children that I have to care for and need transportation for.

Rem module repair - $ 690.

I have been experiencing problems listed in recall numbers 01v261000; 00v351000 and 99v147000, however, my VIN # is somehow not eligible for repair at no cost.

While driving through standing water, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was currently being seen at the dealers. No diagnose has been given at this time. Provide further details.