21st Sep 2007, 08:21
I have a 95 Ford Windstar and the speedometer drops to 0 then the transmission downshifts into first gear. Could this be the speed sensor? If so, is that easy to change? Has 146,000 miles on it.
6th Oct 2007, 16:10
This comment is concerning the leaking antifreeze behind the timing cover. I just purchased a 1996 Ford Windstar with 123,000 miles on it. We noticed a slight antifreeze smell and took it to our Ford dealer. They suggested Bars Leak. My husband said this is not good to use and will clog up. A product we have used with great success in our F150 is BG coolant sealant. The radiator was leaking, he put it in, no more leak. It gels upon contact with air, but does not clog. We purchased from a local shop. My husband put the BG sealant in and no more smell.
On a side note, our interior light is not turning off, also. Worked fine when we bought it. Dash light is indicating door open. Husband has sprayed WD40 on it, but it didn't work.
My question is to the person who posted that they replaced the door lifts. How does replacing the door lifts affect the door sensors?
8th Oct 2007, 09:20
To 20:13
I know how you feel. I was there with my old Aerostar (1994, 165K miles) and decided it's time to trade in. That was 2 years ago and I am glad I did make the jump. There is no doubt: the repairs will become more frequent at this mileage. I now have a reliable vehicle and do no more than routine maintenance.
23rd Oct 2007, 21:26
I too have a 1997 Ford Windstar Van--only 70,000 miles on it, but the speedometer jumped all over and then finally quit. When checking with the dealer and a local mechanic, they said they don't repair them anymore and you have to buy the entire panel--not exactly what I want to do. Is there anything easy to fix to get the speedometer working again without investing in the entire panel. I too have lived through the dinging--I was once told it was something with the gas level, but they wouldn't do anything. Also lived with the lights and door ajar. Oh the joy. Help on the speedometer issue. Thanks.
31st Oct 2007, 15:26
WOW I agree with everyone! I have a 97 windstar and it has 140K miles on it. I've been going through the same things lately. Speedometer jumping, weird nose coming from the front in, check engine light, airbag light on, an just today the ABS light came on!! I Hope when I add this brake fluid that it goes off, I just had brakes changed like 2 months ago!
27th Nov 2007, 23:45
I own a 2000 ford windstar, and it has been a living hell. First the front end went out, then the O2 and mass air went out. those were under warranty. Now that the warranty is up the ABS and traction control lights come on at 80 mph, which makes the van lose control momentarily. In addition to that the alarm won't set, the remote control will not unlock and the power sliding doors are no longer powered. The unlock button in the van only unlocks the driver door, everyone else is screwed. And now it is winter and the pos heater makes noises and blows cold air. Can anybody help me fix it, or should I torch it??
28th Nov 2007, 15:02
If your heater makes that clack--clack--clack noise it is the "blend door actuator" sitting somewhere behind the radio in the dash. About 30 bucks at O'Reiley's. Good luck.
5th Dec 2007, 22:53
I have a 1996 Windstar and I have had every possible problem that I have seen listed here, plus more. I think the Windstar is a piece of crap! Ford should really be recalling on a lot of these problems, especially the door chime and speedometer problems. I am 99% sure I will not be buying another Ford!
6th Dec 2007, 10:43
I picked up a 95 Windstar LX with 23,000 miles... Now has 33,000. Nice van, but the dome light problem just started... Glad I found this site... Though I got a great deal on this van, I've got a feeling this site is the better deal of the two...
Thanks for the info... Jump.
7th Jan 2008, 10:15
97 Ford Wind-star 97K miles. Amazing that I just found this site today and I have been dealing with all of these same issues. I've been best guessing or moving with the flow of traffic for the speedometer issue. My dome light and chime issue has become a bit of nuisance lately. Hope the WD40 thing works. Funny thing is I thought is was just my Van with this many complaints it seems that Ford would have owned up to the problem.
16th Jan 2008, 07:39
I am so glad that I found this site.
I am having all the same problems as everyone else with my 2001 Windstar. They just keep coming one after another...
ABS light coming on, speedometer jumping around like crazy, door locks that don't work, expect for the drivers door, interior lights staying, door ajar light... on and on..
Thank you everyone for your posts/tips.
It will no doubt save me some money.
27th Jan 2008, 01:07
Technical Service Bulletin: 1995 Ford Windstar
Bulletin Number: 9529
Sequence Number: 39123
Date: 19950101
Component Name: 114000 Electrical System: Wiring
Summary: Vehicles may show a false illumination of the dome lamp and door ajar warning lamp, or false door chime, or anti-theft activation.
Shouldn't FORD Dealers have to fix this problem? They actually acknowledge that the problem exists, and still continue to charge us poor "schmucks" to fix it. That just ain't right.
If anyone actually has had any success fixing these annoying "dinging" problems and getting the interior lights to go out like they're supposed to... please let me know. I'm at my "wit's end". Please email me, if you want to at bcohlmeyer@totaloilfieldservices.com.
Thank you.
16th Sep 2007, 20:13
I have a 1996 Ford Windstar, which overall I have been very pleased with. I bought the van in 1998 with 26,000 miles on it. It now has 146,000 miles. I've experienced the same problems as most of the postings, door light being on (WD40 fixed the problem), bad sensors, etc, but never any real big expense month after month. Of course the brakes have been replaced, 2 or 3 batteries, 2 sets of tires, and the normal routine maintenance. I found a really great mechanic who took care of problems that the Ford Dealership couldn't fix.
The last few months have been trying for me, and I hope to sale the van as is. There was a noise coming from under the front of the van, which turned out to be the sway bar and bushings which was 474.00 to fix. That was in July. Then this month (September), I had to replace the wheel cylinders which was another 240.00. Yesterday was more bad news and the month is not even over, antifreeze is leaking from the timing cover gasket. The mechanic told me it would be 1500.00 minimum to replace. This is not the great mechanic as mentioned above, just a place where I go to get routine maintenance done. My great mechanic can fix the problem, but I'm afraid to put 1500.00 or more in an eleven year old van. I've spent 400.00-600.00 for repairs over the years, but never month after month. If you drive for four or five months without major problems, the cost doesn't seem so bad :-)
The body of the van and interior are in great condition. I've never had any problems with the power windows and locks. Up until yesterday, I was planning to keep my van until it reached 200,000 miles!