Wiring problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

While investigating the 50 mph failure of the pcm module, and the ongoing off/on action of the abs module, I ran across what appears to be a mistake on page 43-3 of the fomoco "2001 wiring diagrams/windstar" manual (fcs-12255-01). I exchanged several emails, case # cas-4648613-l1x1r6 crm:03259000003405, with the Ford customer relations center about this matter until they told me to contact a dealer. I sent the questions to my dealer asking for correct information, but they haven't acknowledged my inquiry. What I suspect is all Windstar's on the road today may be operating with only one-half of the scp (j1850 pwm) network operational. Now that many of the defective abs modules are failing, are other Windstars in danger of engine failure at speed like ours? the two simple questions I asked fomoco are: 1) are you sure circuit 915 (data bus-) should be grounded at the abs module? 2) what is the proper termination for the Ford data bus (circuits 914& 915), 120 ohms, 650 ohms, 3k ohms, what and where?.

The abs and brake light began coming on intermittantly a couple of months ago. It seems that the abs ecu module is the problem as multiple abs codes were read. Now, two months later my cruise control no longer works. If you do the research online as well as in your complaint section for 2001 winstar it is an all too common problem. It seems to be a problem that was not addressed properly on an earlier recall by Ford (09s09) which included a scds wiring harness replacement only caused by brake fluid leaking onto wiring and causing a potential fire hazard. Many owners believe the fluid not only ran down the wiring continuing to run onto the abs connector causing parts to short out and fail and also onto the cruise control connector causing it to fail. I truly believe this is the reason all these abs modules are failing. . . It's amazing how many complaints with my same problem are on your website these are very expensive parts to replace (over $1000) plus labor. The absence of the abs system does cause braking problems and can cause the brakes to lock up and skid. . . This happened to me. . . Just missed having a wreck! the connector to the cruise is also being effected causing it to fail as well. I think Ford should be required to at least check these vehicle and replace these parts if they are found to be faulty before someone gets in an accident. They may have already.

Drove from albany, new york to virginia beach on August 15-16, 2009. As we pulled into our destination, abs light and brake light went on, o/d light flashed, speedometer and odometer readings went to --------, and we smelled smoke. Was able to drive car to beach Ford in virginia beach where we were told that brake deactivation switch was leaking fluid damaging wiring harness and many other components. Was told that wiring harness part needed was obsolete. Husband was shown burned up wiring harness and abs unit by mechanic. The wiring harness plug was melted into the abs unit. These parts remain in the car, unplugged. We have been told by Ford that there is no such recall for our vehicle, although we have researched on the internet and believe this to be untrue. We have spent $500 getting the leak repaired so we could drive home, and an additional $200 from our local dealer to tell us that we need to spent $3000 more in order to repair the problem. Currently, we have no speedometer and odometer, abs light and brake light are on due to burned parts, o/d light flashes.

Brake pressure differential deactivation switch leaked brake fluid down wires to the abs module, shorting the module and causing a brief but non-sustained fire with resulting smoke and melting of abs module and wiring harness components. This disabled the speedometer, odometer, abs system, cruise control, and activated abs lights and brake system lights. Appears to have occurred while driving and smoke and smell was present when parked in garage after occurrence.

My 2001 Windstar was giving off intermittent brake light warning. After about 1 week of this going on and I couldn't find out why this was occurring, my van had the abs light, brake light on constant. My overdrive light was flashing continuously. My speedometer, odometer and air conditioning stopped all at once. Blown #10 15a fuse. I looked into see what has gone wrong and noticed that the brake pressure relief switch that is connected to the bottom of the brake master cylinder was defective and leaking brake fluid onto the transmission range sensor and into the wiring harness that contains the wires for the brake pressure switch. This accumulation of fluid into the wiring harness has caused a short. I caught this fairly early for if I had not, this surely would have caused a fire. I have replaced the brake pressure relief switch and have not traced the short as of yet.

My 2001 Windstar has never been in any accident. Last summer while standing and running it all of a sudden had smoke rising on the exterior of the van on the driver side, most likely due to the low brake fluid sensor leaking at the bottom of the brake master cylinder. My cruise control became intermittent and my abs light came on after hitting a bump. A local shop stated that a wire was loose and it would cost a $1000 to find the problem. Today I learned that the switch is leaking and the connector to the wiring harness is burned and has been shorted by leaking brake fluid. Thankfully that I did shut down the car when the smoke appeared and I did not have a fire. I understand that the NHTSA is investigating Windstars that have had fires or problems like this.

Ford Windstar brake, abs brake, cruise control, and speedometer/odometer electrical problems * brake light (red) stays on * 15 amp fuse #10 blowing out * fire or smoke coming from under the van abs ecm area while off. * melted abs ecm wiring connector. * speedometer and odometer stop working. * cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning. * abs brake light (yellow).

My family and I were exiting the new york state thruway at exit 25a on wed 8/8 at approximately 8:30pm. Sparks were noticeable on the passenger side of our 2001 Ford Windstar. The sparks were coming from under the left side of the hood. As we went through the toll booth and onto the exit ramp to route 7, smoke began coming in the air vents. At that time I pulled to the shoulder of the ramp and looked in the rear of the car for a fire extinguisher. Unfortunately I did not have one in the car. I then went to assist my wife with getting our 5 year old son out of the back seat. At that time I noticed flames coming from under the hood on the left side. We exited the vehicle and another person assisted me with getting various belongings out. We then waited for help to arrive. The car was totally destroyed by the fire. The insurance company took care of what they considered the value (this value was lower than the nada value). I protested this but was told they could not consider nada due to its accessibility online. Their value resulted in my having to pay $1000 to fulfill my loan obligation and release the lien to the insurance company. I then contacted Ford and reported the incident to which their reply was the insurance company could pursue restitution but not myself. Why is it that I am the one that suffers this great loss? we have spent $2000 to satisfy this loan and put a down payment on a new car. This clearly is the responsibility of Ford. Cars do not just catch on fire for no reason. There are many recalls on Ford products. Lawyers have not responded to my messages regarding this matter because no one was injured. I am only seeking for Ford to take responsibility for this or the insurance company to pay the proper value of my vehicle.

- the contact called regarding the 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated when he started the vehicle the contact began to smell wires burning. The contact stated that he saw smoke coming out from under the driver's front seat and exited the vehicle. The engine was located under the driver's front seat. The failure mileage was 138,000. The fire went out by itself. The contact did not take the vehicle to dealer for repairs. The vehicle was drivable. There were no warning indicators. The failure and current mileages were 138000.

: the contact stated while driving 35mph on a street in rainy weather, the brake warning light illuminated. A bystander alerted the contact that the rear brake lights were inoperative. Upon initial inspection the contact determined the rear brake wiring harness was wet and corroded from rainwater and it needed to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer were alerted.

: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in an idle position, smoke began coming out from under the hood. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. Upon inspection, the cruise control deactivation switch and the brake master cylinder were observed to be completely burnt. The service dealer was contacted, and determined that the fire began in the deactivation switch. The dealer refused to offer a new cruise control deactivation switch and wiring for the electrical system. The manufacturer alerted the contact that replacement parts that were available were defective.

Abs switch below master cylinder caught on fire leaking fluid on wires then blew fuse to speedometer and odometer and overdrive dealer says no recall had to buy fuse and take to garage to fix other problems caused fix wiring badly burnt.