Windstar FAQ's -- Let's Gather 'em Up!

I think it is long overdue that we get some sort of an FAQ put together for this forum. I talked to one of the moderators and he said he'd make it sticky at the top of the forum if we put it together.

The format I am thinking of is to list each question and then provide links to one or more threads that provide answers. For brevity, the FAQ will not attempt to provide answers directly.

PLEASE HELP! Send me the questions that you think come up frequently. Better yet, do a quick search and provide me a link or two to the threads that answer the question. To send me an FAQ, just reply to this thread.

Once built, this FAQ will be of great benefit to those who pop in for a quick visit -- and it will be a big help to you regulars who are answering the same questions over and over.

Kurt

A couple come to mind right away:

- P0171/P0174 isolator bolt fix
- ABS C1185 (my personal favourite)
- interior lights stay on / door ajar switches

I found it interesting that the Windstar forum doesn't have a moderator. But then who drives a Windstar and would cause trouble on a Windstar forum...

Just some thoughts...

Dan

For P0171/P0174 for 1999 and newer windstar there is not better information than http://community.webshots.com/album/492416273YoLxpN

For ALL years.....those codes almost always are a result of a vaccum leak, not defective oxygen sensors as many are told at the auto part stores.

Correct fluids matched with year.
1996 3.8L
Transmission Mercon (NOT Mercon V)
9/9/97 is the change over date for Mercon V.
1998 windstar built before 9/9/97 use Mercon
1998 and newer years after 9/9/97 use Mercon V
This is as per TSB # 01-15-7


Power Steering Type "F" ATF (Not generic Power Steering fluid)
At some point, later years, the power steering calls for Mercon ATF

Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (5W-20 as per FORD TSB # 02-1-9 recommended)
This is for 1995-2002 3.8L Windstar and 1995-2000 3.0L Windstar.
I am guessing, but someone should verify that the newer windstars than I listed are using 5W-20 oil already.


Transmission is a weak point......use correct fluid and change it AT LEAST every 30K miles, 21K miles for "severe service". Auxillary transmission cooler highly recommended.
Transmission is weak point for windstar (also most any minivan), is a car transmission, not a truck.
Not shifting higher than 2nd gear is "limp mode", often caused by TRS (Transmission Range Sensor).

Coolant loss, not on ground.
Head gasket is high fail on 1995 3.8L
NOT as high of fail on 1996 and newer 3.8L if engine has not been overheated.

Lower intake manifold gasket is high fail on 1996 and newer, can cause coolant into cylinders (green stain on upstream oxygen sensor) and into the oil. Use Genuine FORD replacement gaskets for lower intake manifold as there have been improvements made to them. Also, must be replaced each time lower intake manifold is removed.
Often, lower intake manifold gasket failure, with its coolant into the cylinder(s) is mis-diagnosed as a head gasket failure on post 1995 3.8L windstar.

Front cover aka timing cover BIG job, new gaskets have been improved.
This can cause coolant leak out of engine (on the ground) and into the oil.

Recommend ocassional test of engine oil to determine if coolant is leaking into oil. This is the only way to tell before serious engine damage happens.
www.blackstone-labs.com

P0401, P0301, or P0304 often caused by clogged EGR ports.
P0401 or other codes for EGR flow often caused by DPFE.
EGR valve is not high failure on windstar.

Agreed.

The same problems keep coming up over time; we need to organize the most common solutions in a "sticky" thread at the top of the forum, or some other mechanism that allows newcomers to find them easily.

Yes, I've also thought it strange that there isn't a moderator for this forum. Not that there are problems - but it'd be nice to have someone with admin rights to be able to handle things like this.

Wiswind

I think you missed one.....I'm not sure which one...but I'll find it...

Nice post

Dan

Maybe the ABS light should be one - seems to come up often.

OK, thanks for the great suggestions. I'll post an FAQ framework in the next couple days and get some feedback from you guys.

In the meantime, if anything else comes to mind, just add it onto this thread.

Kurt

ABS light, step #1, check master cylinder fluid level to make sure that it is at the FULL line. Even very slightly under the line can cause the level sensor to light the ABS light.

Also, mention that in the USA, many auto part stores, such as AutoZone will read the codes for you for free. Make sure to get the actual Numeric code so that one can do a search for it in the forum, or post a question with the code.

This links page I put together might help. It has a few good past discussions, but since they're on cartrackers I'm not sure if they still exist. It does also have part sites, glove box manuals, and links to TSB descriptions.

http://groups.msn.com/FordWindstar/links.msnw

I found a useful resource. It is the Haynes manual in electronic format for free. It says it's only for '95 - 98 model years, but it should be helpful to most.

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=RG001&UserAction=beginRepairGuide

For P0171/P0174 for 1999 and newer windstar there is not better information than http://community.webshots.com/album/492416273YoLxpN

Could one of you briefly explain what causes the 171/174? It is my understanding that unmetered air enters the engine? Why? Is there a design flaw that causes this?

Also, I saw this nicely presented page
http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html
referenced in a post. Any objections to providing it as a resource, also?