9th Jun 2005, 14:49
1999 Ford Windstar.
I have been having the same problems with the dome lights staying on and have noticed that my door ajar light is on. I turned my dome lights off. Will have to look at my door sensors really close for dirt and grime and use the WD40. I recently changed my front brake pads and now my speedometer jumps around and my ABS light stays on. Thought I might need to check my brake fluid level a little closer from some of the earlier posts.
10th Jun 2005, 07:03
1999 Ford Windstar Update.
I sprayed all connectors and hinges with WD40 last night and that seemed to fixed the problem with the door ajar light and the dome lights staying on. I did notice that the sliding sensors on the back hatch are spring loaded and I applied some auto lube to the sliding sensors as well as some WD40, plus I cleaned the sliding door contacts really well.
Still have not decided what to do about the speedometer jumping and the ABS light on after changing front brake pads.
23rd Jun 2005, 15:52
I believe it was the contacts on the rear doors on the side that was causing the lights to stay on.
6th Jul 2005, 07:09
I have a 1995 Windstar with the same interior light problem. I know the problem is with the rear hatch. As long as I do not open it, no interior light problem, but this limits the usefulness of the vehicle. Can anyone say exactly where the door sensors are for the rear hatch or how to permanently disconnect them? Thanks.
7th Jul 2005, 06:27
If it is like my 99 Windstar, the contacts are located on each side of the rear hatch. You can see them once you open the hatch and go to the side of the vehicle. Mine are black and are spring loaded. I believe putting the WD40 or any type of lubricant on the spring loaded contacts would be helpful. Hope this helps...
Mitchell.
14th Jan 2006, 14:36
I found the source and a solution for the knocking sound coming from the front end.
I had taken my 97 WindStar in for new brakes and a Midas mechanic noticed that the strut on the driver side was leaking. I asked the mechanic if this might be the source of a knocking sound I had noticed recently. He said he believed it was and changed both struts as well as installed new brakes. When this work didn't get rid of the clunking sound I drove it back to the shop and asked them to find the source. The mechanic put it on the hoist and began to turn the steering wheel with another mechanic under the vehicle. They pinpointed the noise to the main frame bolt on the driver side. Apparently the wear from the bad strut caused stress on the bolt and drilled hole and the sound was the bolt knocking around in the expanded hole. He cut a piece of rubber hose to act as a washer/cushion for the bolt and re-tightened it and the knocking has stopped. That was three years ago, and it has not come back, so, next tire service or brake work, ask your mechanic to check the main frame bolts and holes. Odds are, if your van is clunking, have those struts checked too.
Going to tackle the door chimes (thanks Dennis) and dome lights... and give serious consideration to my local transmission shop on the small shaft and gear replacement. I too was told it needed a new speedometer head. More aggravation... bought the van in Canada and now live in Florida. Kelly Blue Book says it's worth 3,100 HA! Can't find a dealer to take it on trade. Too honest to sell it privately.
Good Luck and thanks for the support and advice.
Icsgrep@yahoo.com.
24th Jan 2006, 14:21
OK...wow this site is weird... all of these issues with fords are the same...same as mine too... it was fine until 120,000 miles... then it all started to fall to pieces.
25th Jan 2006, 08:27
I would suggest staying AWAY from FORD products. They are horribly manufactured.
Good vans out there are the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and if those are too expensive, try the Kia sedona which is still better then the windstar.
25th Jan 2006, 21:18
After reading all the above comments, it should come as no surprise that Ford is giving up on the Minivan market segment and ending production, with no intention of restarting.
The name change from Windstar to Freestar didn't fool anybody.
It's still crap.
Now Ford is losing market share fast; not to Daimler Chrysler or GM, but to the Far East companies such as Hyundai.
Ford has also announced massive layoffs of workers and multiple plant closings.
It will be difficult to recover if consumer confidence is lost.
Ford is entering a downward spiral and there is no end in sight.
Be prepared for a crash-landing!
The Chinese will speed up the demise of the domestic manufacturers if they make a serious attempt at exporting to the USA.
Expect a decent car for US$7,500.
11th Mar 2006, 18:45
We too are experiencing the chimes and lights in our 1998 Ford Windstar, but everything else with the van has been great. No problems whatever and we have 144,800 miles. I appreciated reading all the comments as it will probably save us a lot of money not replacing sensors and such. We will try WD oil first. What can we do to get Ford to recall?
22nd Mar 2006, 05:23
Hi all. I also have all the light problems mentioned. Thank you all, for your sharing. I have also had no front heat in our 97 wind star as I know many others have form reading posters on other sites. But I am happy to share that it was the plastic shaft on the damper door motor had broken, and we fixed it by putting it back together with J B weld. I hate to think what parts would have cost. Thank you for the W D 40 tips.
22nd Mar 2006, 19:26
Sure, more "quality" Chinese made products. Just like the crappy hardware and tools you find at Wal-Mart. You'll run screaming back to your Ford, thanking god for it when the Chinese move into the auto market.
26th May 2006, 22:32
Hello I to have a Ford Wind star 97 the WD40 Worked Great so far, I had the ABS light come on in jerking when braking, this was fixed by replacing the ABS gear on the drivers side shaft, I had some transmission problems and the only thing wrong was the speed sensor I got it fixed for 100 USD, I have the Speedometer problem still have not solved that, I also replaced the valves on the motor. The only thing I can say the are comfortable, but I will never buy a Fords again, I have a lot better luck with my 91 Grand AM that I sold for 1000 and it had 250,000 miles on in with no problems.
8th Jun 2005, 05:28
DO NOT PAY TO REPLACE THE SWITCHES IN THE REAR HATCH. The switches are not bad, they just need lubrication. You should have replaced the VSS first since it costs only $20 at AutoZone. I would try a local mechanic rather than the dealer to replace the VSS. The O2 sensors were probably OK. Sounds like this guy really got ripped off.