2000 Windstar "SHAKES"

I have a 2000 Ford Windstar with 43k. When I started the other day it was fine .... then it stopped blowing cold air and began to shake. It feels like the engine is shaking. I am going to have it towed to the dealer but I wanted an idea of what was wrong. Any ideas? All fluids are fine (reg maint) belts appeared ok. The engine light came on at first just flashing then stayed on. I did drive it less then a mile and it ran very rough and still shaking. Thanks

If you have read or had the code(s) read that tripped the CEL light, that would help us guess at the problem.

Thanks for responding!! Should I take it to the dealer or a small repair facility? What do you suggest? Do I just ask them give me the codes from the diagnostic ? How else would I get the codes?

You can have the codes read at Autozone or a perhaps a similar parts store. I think you will find it to be indicating a mis-fire on one or more cylinders. If you dont feel good driving it you might try carfully checking all of your spark plug wiring to the extent you can reach it. Carefully check that each is fully seated on the coil (rectangular box where all six spark plug wires lead) and at each spark plug you can reach.
Good luck and let us know what you learn.

Would a spark plug wire cause the air to suddenly stop blowing cold?

Would a spark plug wire cause the air to suddenly stop blowing cold?

I don't think there is a direct link. However, I don't know but what the PCM (powertrain control module) can electively stop operation of the A/C under certain powertrain/load/failure conditions and perhaps that is what happened (ModMech are you reading this?). In older vehicles I believe there was a wide-open-throttle switch that would cut out the A/C under heavy engine load (wide open throttle).

Hope that helps.

Usually the CEL flashes when there is a condition that exists that is potentially damaging to the Catalytic converters. This includes misfires. The light will stop flashing when the condition ceases but the CEL will stay illuminated since there is a problem. The light may flash if the same conditions are duplicated that caused the flashing initially.

There could be a lot of differentr reasons for the flashing. Get the codes read. I have heard that Autozone will do it for free.

Yes, the A/C can be deactivated by the PCM, and this happens at full throttle. There are two reasons to do this; 1) it makes about 5 HP more available to drive the vehicle, 2) it saves the A/C compressor from excessive engine speeds which are potentially damaging to the compressor.

Without knowing what the codes are, we are taking stabs in the dark.