1996 Ford Windstar GL from North America - Comments

Check engine light came on when we would go on long trips since we bought it.

On a vacation we had a complete tune up done to "correct" the engine light problem to the tune of about $500. It seemed to run better for a while.

Speedometer head is bad. Shop told us it would cost about $600 to repair. This seems to be a common problem.

Engine light has been on for over two months. I have had it in and out of two shops and they are puzzled. They replaced the plug wires and the temperature sensor. Still the engine light came on.

When I took it back a fourth time, they said it was the control module. Guaranteed that would fix the problem. I picked it up, drove it two miles and once again the engine light flashes and runs rough.

I have spent over $1300 and still have a van that runs like crap. Not sure if I am willing to throw any more money away.

The transmission always has had a jerk on occassion.

The check engine light comes on when we go on any major trip. Instead of taking it to the dealer and getting milked, I have found a cheaper solution. Put a piece of masking tape over the light. Problem solved! Sometimes I think the only function of check engine light is to provide dealers with some after sales service income. Mine always goes out on its own after a while.

I too have a 1996 Ford Windstar. My Check Engine Light has been on for a couple of years. It did start on a long (9 hr) car trip. But it has been on pretty steady since then.

As of late, it jumps, hesitates and acts like it is having serious trouble.

Today I am taking it for a tune up. If this is a common problem it looks like Ford would do something about it.

A co-worker had a Windstar. He said his was a good vehicle except for some trouble they had with their warning lights...

Yes, we also had a problem with the check engine light coming on during long trips (over 100 miles) then it would turn on during shorter and shorter trips. Routine service checks (over three years) yielded no conclusions. Until around 75000 miles we were told that we needed a new head gasket.

Good luck.

We have an 1996 Windstar and have experienced similar problems. The "Engine" light was on for a whole year; they checked it in several shops and none was able to find anything wrong with it.

The transmission burned and we had to replace it (during a vacation of course). The replacement was not good when the mechanic replaced the replacement the motor broke down.

Don't buy a Windstar!

I have a 1995 Ford Windstar with 113,000 miles, I have had it for 3 years. 7 months ago the check engine light came on. The car would cut off while in park or the engine would rev-up and want to take off while I was stopped. I lost a lot of pick up and it would have a hard time shifting. It was riding really rough. I took it to the shop and was told it was the transmission. After replacing the transmission my car slung a rod and I had to have the engine rebuilt. Still the engine light would stay on. It was then taken to the Ford Dealership. They said it need a new computer. The computer was replaced and a new EGR valve was installed. Today it went to the shop again. My catalytic converter has to be replaced. While there the muffler mechanic told us that the Ford V6 engines have had problems with the temperature sensor and that it was most likely what caused all my problems and that I should see if that is what needs replacing. So far I have spent over $5,000 on a used car that is not worth $5,000! I can't afford to get rid of it and it is draining me to repair it. On the bright side, if I finally do get everything fixed, I will have a brand new car that looks 8 years old. I will never buy any Ford product again. In fact I don't think I would even take one that was free. I probably wouldn't be able to afford the repairs.

Hi everyone.

I also own a 96' windstar with the same problems. the only thing different is that the engine light came on only a month after we bought it. We took it back to the ford dealership where we bought it used and they said nothing could be done. its normal when it comes on. when I asked about the history of the vehicle, they could not answer that. well 2.5 years later, the van still runs like crap. I did find the history on car fax and it said it had been a rental. if I had known it was a rental, I know I would have never bought it. now we have the problem of trying to get rid of a vehicle that we owe more than its worth.

I have a 95 Ford Wind-star with the same similar problems. What they found was the Fuel Injector were split open which caused a mis-fire in the engine and they had to replace them. The control module was causing this. They replaced that and everything is fine.

We bought a used ford Winstar (1996, with 60,000 miles) after having rented one on a family trip; enjoyed the space, power, etc. Within the first few months, on a family trip with our new (used) car, the speedometer malfunctioned, head gasket blew, plus a few other assorted problems. The cost of our first visit to the dealer was well over $1500. On the second visit a few months later, we need a part on the front suspension welded and another few odds and ends: cost was over $1000. The third visit to the dealer was for an oil change. The dealer called back and said your oil plug is loose and we need to replace the pan (???), you need new tires, and again another few odds and ends: estimate approximately $1500. I asked if they could put in an oversized plug for the oil pan? They said no it was not possible. I called the dealer back after about 1 minute and said give the car back and don't do anything. Suddenly, the plug wasn't a problem, all of the other problems disappeared and the bill was about $30.00. Bottom line: I will never buy another Ford and I certainly will never go back to that dealer; who IMHO should go to jail.

I recently purchased a used 1996 Ford WindStar Van. The very next day my check engine light, came on, and my interior lights would not shut off.

I am stuck with it, as it was sold "as is". Doe anyone have any information as to what typically makes the Check Engine Light come on and stay?

As well as the interior light?

Thanks.

The computer for the Windstar senses misfires through the crankshaft sensor. Since this method of sensing misfires is innacurate Ford Dealers update the computer via data transfer to widen the parameters. They also fix the source of the misfires. In addition they reset the check engine light by disconnecting the battery for 60 seconds then the dealers charge you an arm and a leg for reprogramming a computer that takes less than a few minutes. And this programming is only needed to keep the light from always coming back on to keep you from coming back screaming ;" My check engine light came back on!!!

The computer for the Windstar senses misfires through the crankshaft sensor. Since this method of sensing misfires is inacurate Ford Dealers update the computer via data transfer to widen the parameters. They also fix the source of the misfires. In addition they reset the check engine light by disconnecting the battery for 60 seconds then the dealers charge you an arm and a leg for reprogramming a computer that takes less than a few minutes. And this programming is only needed to keep the light from always coming back on to keep you from coming back screaming ;" My check engine light came back on!!!

I am the proud owner of a 1997 Ford Windstar. Here is what you do if the check engine light is on, Do not let a dealership or mechanic talk you into a tune up first. If they have a diagnostic scanner and it comes up with a misfire on a cylinder, have him or her remove the intake plenum. What happens is that carbon deposits clog the idle air passages causing the engine to run rough and almost stall at idle speed, example: your driving along and you pull up to a red light, and all of a sudden the van starts to shake and stall, then comes back to life. My van has 165,000 miles on it, and I tune it up every 60,000. and part of that tune up is pulling that plenum off and cleaning those passages. And I know this isn't so affordable, but try to use premium gas, or add Techron to the tank every 6,000 miles or every other oil change.

I have a 1996 ford windstar, guess what! check engine light is on all the time, had it in and out of the dealer, they replaced this and that, the last thing I had done was a complete gasket job $1500 and 1 week later the light came back on, yesterday the engine made a weird noise and then blew all its oil out the bottom. Now I need a new block! another $3000, anyone wanna sell their motor!

Sean.sheppard@nf.sympatico.ca.