Ford Windstar owners have reported 19 problems related to ignition module (under the electrical system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Ford Windstar based on all problems reported for the Windstar.
At drive-through, radio suddenly quit, and the abs and brake lights came on. Right turn signal came on, vehicle began to pulsate and surge. Pulled over and shut van off, would not restart, lights and hazards began flashing and would not turn off. Retried ignition, lights and hazards went off, van completely died. Informed to replace battery, had battery tested, it was fine. Replaced battery, followed instructions to reset computer after battery replacement. Had to drive van 10 miles to complete, during which abs and brake light came on, headlights quit (after dark) then began flashing. Turn signal came on to signal right turn on its own. Just before returning home, headlights quit entirely, and airbag light came on. Parked van, let it idle, and the tachometer surged from 500rpms to 3000rpms. Seems to fit descriptions others are saying about abs and speed control module underneath master cylinder getting soaked with brake fluid.
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all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar
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Engine shuts down intermittently when decelerating into a turn. It also shuts down momentarily (vehicle "bucks") or fully (stalls completely) during normal driving, independent of speed. The latter problem is much more common than the former!
consequence: several near-miss rear-end collisions, especially at highway speeds. The dealership could not replicate the problem. An independent technician replicated but could not properly repair the problem(s). The problems have been occurring for more than two years.
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all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar
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Engine failure at 88,000 miles, rough idle at times, computer replaced at 75,000 miles, head gasket blew, causing engine to fail.
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all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar
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Brakes failed on three different occasions (repair dates: 3/22/02, 4/1/02 and 4/15/02). First, my wife noted the brake pedal was going all the way to the floor before there was any response. The dealership advised that this was normal. We insisted that it wasn't, until there lead technician found and replaced a faulty hcu. The second failure came while I was driving my wife and 6 month old baby from mo to va. While on the west virginia turn pike, the anti-lock brakes failed again and eventually the brakeing system failed all togoether by the time we reached our destination of suffolk virginia. Barton Ford, in suffolk va, replaced the hcu and the ecu and repaired a brake fluid leak. The third incident occurred while driving back to mo. Once again the brakes did not respond normally. Once back in o'fallon, mo. The dealership found a air bubble in the brake line and they reprogrammed the abs module. Each brake failure also affected the traction control system and the speedometer. We have also had to have one window replaced, the drivers side sliding door adjusted, a seal inserted in the rear of the vehicle due to a recall item, and bolts tightened at the engine cradle mounts. Recently, the fuel cap indicator light illuminated for a period of 5 days for unknown reasons and we are currently unable to fill the gas tank to its normal capacity. This vehicle is unsafe and hardly worth the $27,220 that we are paying for it.
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all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar
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The abs light and check engine lights were on. The dealer mechanic replaced speed sensors and then told me the computer was also bad. He also told me that the main seal was leaking and said that Ford had lots of problems with the 3. 8l v6 engine. He told me I should get rid of the car.
Engine check came on took to an independent service shop to have diagnostics run. Was told it needed a tune up, new spark plugs and cables, fuel filter, air filter, fuel injectors cleaned and I also had oil changed since it was time for it. Picked up vehicle paid 444. 00 for the service next morning drove to work, oil light came on. I have never had the oil light flickered on. Checked oil, in my parking space was dark so all I could see is there was fluid at the correct level. Started it up that evening to go home drove aproximately 40 miles, stopped at a red light and the oil light came on the the engine began making a knocking noise. I pulled off the road had to towed back to the shop that did the work. Was told they could find nothing wrong with it, oil light did not come on. I refused to accept the answer knowing thenoise the engine was making to cause me to have it towed in. They test drove for and let run for approximately 30 min. Before the oil light did come on. They then told me it was an engine problem and did not do engine work. Had it towed immediately to a Ford dealer and was told the oild pan was full of coolant and bearings were "washed" in engine and would have to have a new engine. No one wants to claim responsibility for this problem. I have just been made aware that there has been an on going problem with this particular model motor (and not by the dealership). What can be done next?.
Ford Windstar (1996): a local mechanic said that our rough idle, engine light, and smell of antifreeze indicated a head-gasket problem. Hill and sanders Ford service station checked for pressure leaks, but could only suggest that it was bad plugs causing the "misfire code" in the computer. After $318, we got new spark plugs and a reset warning light. Within a week, the check engine light came on, and the rough idle and smell of antifreeze reappeared. We returned it to h&s and mentioned that it was a continuation of the previous, with a new symptom of discolored antifreeze in the overflow container (oil color). H&s said the engine light was a result of a "misfire code" but didn't know why. The only thing h&s did was flush the radiator for $100, and admitted they don't know what else it could be. A few days later the engine light came on. On Nov. 20, 2000 the van started making mechanical noises from the engine, lost power, and slowed to a crawl. My wife got it to a safe location where she and the kids could wait to have it towed to h&s. A note referenced the previous 2 h&s visits for related problems. H&s's told me that "something inside the engine came loose" and that he recommends we replace the engine for $5050! he didn't know what was wrong. We called h&s (steve lund) the next day and told him that we felt that h&s should be responsible for the damages due to their inability to detect and fix the problem, and sending us away with a feeling that the problem was fixed or inconsequential. H&s felt that they were not responsible. Our original mechanic was amazed that h&s didn't suspect something was wrong when oil was found in the antifreeze, and that they only flushed the system! we feel helpless and taken advantage of. Anything we can do to recover our loss? mike & jill scanlon VIN 2fmda5145tbb75128 jill123@erols. Com.
Engine check light came on and the vehicle was taken back to Ford. They did a diagnostic test that they claim the failure was due to one of the spark plug wires "arching". They could not or would not tell me which one was arching, but were willing to charge me $320 to change the six wires and plus. I paid for the diagnostic test and changed the plugs and wires myself. A week later, the check engine light came on again. This time I took it to my mechanic. He did a diagnostic test on the vehicle and advised that the problem was with cylinder number four. It was cracked. They made the repair and a week later I was out over a $1000. My mechanic also advised me that Ford should have been able to tell me this right away. Ford was willing to replace the spark plugs and wires and I would still have the same problem.
Consumer was traveling about 55mph and engine check light blinked on and off on the dashboard. Also, transmission slipped out of gear. Computer chip was replaced, but problem still continued. Anti-freeze was leaking from the transmission. In addition, spark plugs were replaced, and head gasket needed to be replaced. Computor diagnosis indicated that cylinder #4 malfunction. The dealer said that doing tune up will solve this problem but did not.
Qualified mechanic tried to repaid with electronic control module but this did not work. Locks are grinding constantly so we were forced to disconnect to avoid burning it up. This should be a recall situation.
The van would stall out at low speeds, particularly when turning. This occurred several times in heavy traffic and while turning across a lane of traffic. The Ford dealer said there had been a service bulletin, but no recall on this problem. They charged me to reprogram the p cm module. I wrote to Ford motor company, seeking reimbursement for the repair because I considered it a safety issue. Further, the company was apparently aware of the problem. They refused to reimburse me for the repair.
Vehicle stalled while sitting idle in a drive through restaurant. Also happened 10 months earlier in middle of an intersection while making a left turn. Told by Ford service that programming error in computer that causes system to shut off at low or idle speed. Service has reprogrammed computer and says shouldn't happen again. Why isn't this a recall issue if they are aware of this and potential for injury is great?.
For no apparent reason the vehicle just cuts off while driving. The first time a computer adjustment was made, the second time(July 23rd) the electric fuel pump was replaced. The vehicle is being service for the third time(Aug 5th) for the same problem. Each time the vehicle had to be towed to the dealership.
Pcm failed.
Three months after ownership the vehicle was experiencing vibration and stalling, three separate visits to the dealership to correct the computer software adjustments.
While driving the vehicle stalls unexpectedly due to a engine computer failure and sensors and steering problem. Dealer cannot determine problem.
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all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar
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Vehicle stalls out intermittently ,there is no prior warning , when vehicle completely stalls it will lose allpower brakes and steering. Manufacturer sent out TSB, stating computer needs to be reprogramed.
Engine light illuminates, indicating a malfunction within computer. Dealer has reset the computer on numerous occasionswithout any permanent results. Please give any further details.
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all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar
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Vehicle is stalling when slowing down/turning and in parking maneuvers possibly due to computer misfire and carbon build in engine. 3 tsbs have been issued.
Problem Category | Number of Problems |
---|---|
Electrical System problems | |
Instrument Panel problems | |
Wiring problems | |
Horn Assembly problems | |
Underhood Wiring problems | |
Ignition problems | |
Alternator/generator/regulator problems | |
Battery problems | |
Dash Wiring problems | |
Ignition Module problems |