Topic: Ford Windstar dies, cranks but won't start

[oldvette]

2000 Windstar SEL 52,000kms 3.8l while stopped at a light the van just dies, cranks over but won't start. The airbag light is on and the theft light is flashing quickly while cranking. Called Ford they said the anti theft kicked in so try another key. Other key worked!! Tried the supposed bad key but it works now too??!!! Has happened 3 times now all on drizzly rain days. Is it a moisture problem? or just a coincidence? Ford dealer wants $70 just to read the code and  the fix goes up from there and they don't know what it could be either. Anyone have any similar problems and repair solutions?

[johngenx]

2000 Windstar SEL 52,000kms 3.8l while stopped at a light the van just dies, cranks over but won't start. The airbag light is on and the theft light is flashing quickly while cranking. Called Ford they said the anti theft kicked in so try another key. Other key worked!! Tried the supposed bad key but it works now too??!!! Has happened 3 times now all on drizzly rain days. Is it a moisture problem? or just a coincidence? Ford dealer wants $70 just to read the code and  the fix goes up from there and they don't know what it could be either. Anyone have any similar problems and repair solutions?

Forget the dealer if it's out of warranty.  They'll bleed you dry.  Many indies charge nothing to hook up an ODB-II scanner and might have a better idea.  A dealer CANNOT/WILL NOT EVER say "yeah, I've seen that problem before."  An indie will, if it's something common.

Seriously, you should sell that van.  Spend as little as possible to get it in reasonable running order (no flashing dash lights) and ditch it.  Those Windstars are horrible and you're headed for major abuse.  Expect a head gasket, a trans or two, and other electrical problems are coming.  I know that selling it will mean a financial hit, but it's nothing compared to the thousands in repair bills that are probably coming.

[Craig]

Sadly, I agree.  The 2000 Windstar is well past its half-life.

[articsteve]

See if it is possible to disable anti theft.

If your head gasket goes try a bottle of "Irontite" first.

Flush transmission soon.

[Craig]

A letter to the Toronto Star about a Windstar fire, and Ford's reply:

On Feb. 16, 2005, I parked my 2002 Ford Windstar LX (there were 90,000 km on the odometer) in a public lot on John St. in Brampton.

When I returned 20 minutes later and opened the driver's door, I was greeted by smoke.

I saw 8 to 10 cm flames coming up the tailgate. I called 911, but by the time firefighters arrived, fire was ravaging the Windstar.

The van was a write-off, with 98 per cent of the interior destroyed and the exterior damaged.

The fire department said later that an electrical short in the rear wiper motor apparently had caused the blaze.

I bought the van brand new from a Brampton Ford dealership. It was my third Windstar (plus a Taurus) from that dealership.

Promises of help from a sales rep there led nowhere.

I guess being a 12-year customer and having all service work done at the dealership doesn't hold any significance anymore.

My insurance company estimated the van was worth $11,735 before the fire and that its salvage value is $1,795.

They offered me the difference: $9,940.

I am financing the van with Ford Credit. My balance owing is $18,380. Subtracting the insurance payout leaves a shortfall of $8,440, which I'm expected to pay Ford Credit.

Ford of Canada's position is that if an accredited investigator probes a fire, they will review the case.

Otherwise, they do not believe there is a product liability issue.

In their words to me: "Fire incidents can be due to many different reasons which are unrelated to the manufacture of a vehicle.

Normally, insurance companies handle fire claims and will investigate accordingly."

I asked my insurance company to conduct an investigation at their expense, but they refused.

I am a single mother who is working two jobs to maintain a home for my 20-year-old son, I also look after three aging dogs.

Due to the fire, I incurred car rental fees of $321 after support from my insurance expired.

I was not negligent in the care and maintenance of my Windstar. The van clearly had a product fault.

I am just one small person, but feel I have been wronged.

There simply seems to be no understanding or sign of compensation from Ford or Ford Credit.

Lynda Creighton, Brampton

John Jelinek, vice-president of public affairs for Ford of Canada, replies:

Ms. Creighton has been in contact with both Ford's Customer Relationship Centre and our Product Liability Department.

We are sorry to read of the fire incident in her Windstar and her on-going claim with her insurance company.

As our letter to her stated, vehicle fire incidents can be due to many different reasons that are unrelated to the manufacture of a vehicle.

Generally, insurance companies handle fire claims and investigate accordingly.

If an insurance company feels that there is a concern that should be brought to the attention of the manufacturer, they may contact us to review the results of their investigation.

To understand the cause of a fire incident, an expert in fire investigation would normally have to be engaged, and they would convey their conclusions in a report.

Without such an investigation and report, the root cause may go unknown and we are unable to comment factually on Ms. Creighton's vehicle fire incident or its cause.

We will always accept and review any supporting documentation a customer is willing to send us.

We also check for any recalls on a given vehicle when we have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

This vehicle did not have any recalls related to the rear wiper motor.

It is not appropriate for us to comment on a dispute about the value of the vehicle as determined by the insurance company at the time of the incident, nor any outstanding payments owed on the vehicle.

[Snowman]

As much as I dislike my Mother In-Law I talked her out of a used Deathstar. We feel your pain.

[barrie1]

I would be checking the Brainbox Connection on this vehicle and where it bolts to the Firewall. I have seen these pack up with dirt behind them and overheat the unit. Also check for Rust on the back part of this box as it known to rust where it bolts on the metal at the rear. The light rust can create a short and cause similar problems. 

[sterling]

Man, what a bunch of extremists.  For all these armchair mechanics know the problem may be minor. Why don't you find one of John's indie garages to check the codes for free and find out what is wrong before you let these guys scare you into buying a new vehicle. You've got a 6 year old vehicle there. Those things aren't free to run.

[JD]

Auto Value (Parts Store out here in Alberta, not sure where else they are - I think they're still known as Bumper-to-Bumper is some areas)  will read teh computer codes for free.  Go get your codes read for free and let us know what it says!

[JD]

Have you had all EIGHT recalls that are out on your vehicle done? 

here is a list of Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)'s for your WIndstar 3.8L:
http://alldata.com/TSB/20/002040bZ.html

_____________________________________________________________________
Safety Recalls
TSB Number & Issue Date      TSB Title
00S01S1 MAY 03    Recall - Windshield and/or Liftgate Glass Replacement
02S33 MAR 02    Recall - Electrical Connector/Sealer Strip Defect
01S26 SEP 01    Recall - Rear A/C Blower Wiring
01S25 AUG 01    Recall - Defective Wiper Motor Gear Cover Assembly
01S26 AUG 01    Recall - Revised Rear Auxiliary Blower Wiring Harness
01S20 JUN 01    Recall - Accelerator Pedal Hang's Up On Floor Mat
00S21 OCT 00    Recall - Seat Belt Buckle Inspection/Replacement
00S11 JUL 00    Recall - Fuel Line Retainer Clip Installation

Service Bulletins
TSB Number & Issue Date      TSB Title
05-4-18 MAR 05    Parking Assist System - False Warnings
05-3-10 FEB 05    Restraints - Seat Belt Stop Button Service
04-24-5 DEC 04    A/C/Audio - Defroster/Antenna Grid Diagnosis/Repair
04-24-14 DEC 04    Engine Controls - General PCM Programming Procedures
04-24-21 DEC 04    Restraint System - Seat Belts Slow to retract
04-24-3 DEC 04    Steering - Leather Coming Loose From Steering Wheel
04-19-2 SEP 04    Engine Controls - Spark Knock on Acceleration
04-18-11 SEP 04    Body - Corrosion At Bottom of Door or Tailgate
04-17-6 SEP 04    Body - Cowl Panel Grille Breakage
04-17-4 SEP 04    Engine Controls - MIL ON/Lean DTC Service Tips
04-16-9 AUG 04    Interior - Headliner Sagging Near Rear Hatch
04-2-3 FEB 04    Body - Power Sliding Door Operation/Diagnostics
03-24-2 DEC 03    Accessories - Trailer Tow Harness Kit Service Tip
03-12-3 DEC 03    A/T - TCC Not Engaging, DTCs P0741 or P1744
03-20-3 OCT 03    Emissions - MIL ON/DTC's Stored/Check Fuel Cap Lamp ON
03-18-1 SEP 03    Keyless Entry System - Service Tips
03-16-1 AUG 03    Engine Controls/Fuel System - MIL ON/DTC's P0171/P0174
03-14-8 JUL 03    A/T - Cooler Flushing Service Tips
03-11-6 JUN 03    Electrical - Wiring Soldering/Crimping Tips
03-1-2 JAN 03    Interior - Coat Hook/Lamp Loose In Headliner
03-1-4 JAN 03    Interior - Headliner Creased Near A-Pillar
02-22-1 NOV 02    Engine Controls - Engine Surge/Rolling Idle/DTC's Set
02-21-4 OCT 02    Body - Roof Ditch Material Cracking
02-21-13 OCT 02    Engine - Cylinder Head Straightedge Surface Check
02-20-8 OCT 02    A/C System - Diagnosis and Service Tips
02-17-6 SEP 02    A/T - Inadvertent Shift Interlock Disabling
02-16-4 AUG 02    Audio System - Whining/Buzzing Noise From Speakers
02-15-2 AUG 02    Suspension - Pop/Clunk Noise From Front Springs
02-13-9 JUL 02    Battery - Drain Diagnosis Tips
02-13-2 JUL 02    Suspension (Front) - Grunting/Popping Noise on Turns
02-11-4 JUN 02    Aluminum Engine - New Cleaners/Service Tips
02-9-10 MAY 02    Seat Back Cover - Hole in Lower Left Area
02-2-3 FEB 02    Engine - Aluminum Block/Head Machining
02-1-4 JAN 02    Engine Head Gasket - Approved Replacement Procedures
02-1-9 JAN 02    Engine Oil - Oil Recommendations/Applications
02-1-6 JAN 02    Wheels/Tires - Road Force Measurement Equipment
01-24-6 DEC 01    Engine - Oil System Priming Procedures
01-23-6 NOV 01    Engine Coolant - Propylene Glycol Recommendations
01-21-13 OCT 01    Ignition Switch - High Turning Effort/MIL ON/DTC's Set
01-20-5 OCT 01    Driveability - Vacuum Leak Detection
01-17-1 SEP 01    Transaxle - (Remanufactured) Ordering Chart
01-15-7 AUG 01    A/T - Fluid Application Charts
01-15-6 AUG 01    Heater Core - Repeated Failure
01-10-12 MAY 01    Wire Harness - Terminal Repair Kit
01-9-7 MAY 01    Emissions/Engine Controls - Driveability Diagnosis
01-7-3 APR 01    Fuel Pump - Whine Heard Through Radio Speakers
01-6-2 APR 01    PATS System - Diagnostic Service Tips
01-5-6 MAR 01    Steering Rack - Fluid Leaks
01-4-5 MAR 01    Steering - `Grunt' Noise While Turning
01-2-5 FEB 01    Seat Belts - Warning System Operation
00-21-10 OCT 00    Suspension - Vibration
00T07 SEP 00    PCM - Incorrect Calibration Strategy
00-11-4 MAY 00    Power Sliding Door - Does Not Close
00-9-6 MAY 00    Windshield Wipers - Operate While Switch is OFF
00-4-4 FEB 00    Fuel Tank - Pump Shuts Off Before Tank Is Full
99-26-9 DEC 99    Fuel Economy - Customer Expectation vs. Vehicle Usage
99-25-1 DEC 99    Power Sliding Door - Pops or Disengages When Closed
99-24-2 NOV 99    Locks - Lock Service Packages Available
99-23-4 NOV 99    EVAP - DTC's P0442/P0455/MIL ON/No Driveability Concerns
99-22-2 NOV 99    Wire Harness - Terminal Repair Kit/Wire Splice Procedure
99-21-6 OCT 99    A Pillar - Trim Warped
99-20-2 OCT 99    A/T - AX4S/AX4N Redesigned Park System
99-19-6 SEP 99    A/C - Identification of Non Approved Refrigerants
99-19-4 SEP 99    Brakes - Vibration/Inspection Service Tips
99-18-4 SEP 99    A/T - Harsh 3-2 Downshift/Shudder On Acceleration/Turns
99-16-5 AUG 99    A/T - AX4S Prior to Service Blue Repair Tag
_____________________________________________________________________

[JD]

I see numerous fuel-related service bulletins (these are not recalls, but bulletins to inform mechanics about potential problems/issues/customer concerns), so I would hazzard a guess at this being fuel related.

Turn your key to the ON position (right before you cran kit over to start, when al the dash lights should light up).  Listen for a hum to start for a few seconds then stop - That is the fuel pump pressurizing.  If you can't hear that, it might be the fuel pump.

[oldvette]

Wow, J.D. I had no idea that there were so many recalls and service bullitins that I HAVE missed. This is a real eye opener!!!! I will print out this list and take it to Ford as they have not disclosed any of these to me. The last recall I was sent was for the fuel clips and seat rails 4years ago. I am the original owner and deal with only one dealership. Nice EH!!!!!I have bought Fords for the last 20 years from this one dealer and this Windstar and my 2002 Focus are the biggest pieces of crap so far!

[sterling]

Not every vehicle falls under every recall. For example, many recalls apply only to vehicles built between certain dates. It is Ford that would contact you about recalls, not your dealer.