Need help to know where to tow the thing

I'm actually not dekeman, I'm his wife. :) He deployed on Monday, after doing all he could to make sure the van was in good running order. Of course, therefore, on Wednesday it began acting weirdly and yesterday was dead. I need to get it towed somewhere to have it fixed but I'd like a little more insight on what is probably wrong before I do that, not only so I have it towed to the right place but so I'm less likely to get ripped off. My husband loves this forum so I figured it was a good place to ask.

Here's what happened: We have a 2003 Windstar with about 99,000 miles on it. The first thing I noticed on Wednesday was a whining noise--it sounded something like the power steering fluid pump did when it went bad, but turning the steering wheel had no effect on the sound so I figured it wasn't that. There was a funny smell too, like rubber or plastic that was too hot. I had been running errands and it was only on the way home that I noticed these things. Then the battery light came on for about five minutes but went back out before I got home. The next day, the same thing--funny smell, whining noise, and the battery light came on and stayed on. Then the radio started going in and out (like the power was fluctuating), the battery light went out and the brake and ABS lights came on. :eek7: This entire time the van was driving fine. I should have driven the thing straight to the repair shop but of course I came home and popped the hood. For what it's worth, nothing is visibly wrong--all the fluids have good levels, etc. Yesterday it wouldn't start--it's clicking like it does with a dead battery. Obviously the battery's dead, but last time we had to replace the battery none of this other stuff happened (warning light, weird radio thing, etc).

We had to get a new transmission about 35,000 miles ago--not sure exactly, but it was shortly after 60,000 miles (of course!). It was remanufactured so we knew it probably would go sooner rather than later, but last time it went it didn't do any of this stuff, it just died while we were driving. And I don't think it clicked when we turned the key, I think it did nothing. Could be wrong about that though.

Sorry about the length of this, but I wanted to be as accurate as possible. Thanks so much for your help!

Welcome to the forum.

First of all, you did a fantastic job of describing the symptoms. It sounds to me that something is wrong, at the "front" of the engine, with the serpertine belt driven devices. It may be the alternator, the ac compressor, or the belt idler or take-up pulleys.

Any good shop should be able to fix this level problem with little effort. You may want to buy the belt, the idler, and the take-up pulley from a dealer (with the understanding that you can return anything not used) before taking your vehicle to a shop.

About towing: The glovebox manual covers what to do and what not to do to avoid tranmission damage. The best is if the tow company uses a truck and actually hauls your unit aboard the truck.

Just to add to what 12ounce mentioned.
The "front" of the motor is actually the passenger side....
FORD calls that the "Front" in the front wheel drive version.
Also, any reputable towing company will be knowledgeable as to how to tow your vehicle.
If the vehicle is in the garage, the tow truck driver may need to figure out the best way to manuver the vehicle out so that they can tow it.

Finding a good reliable repair shop can be tough.....ask around, check with the Better Business (BBB), etc.
Once you find one....they can be quite helpful to have around.
I have a local shop that I use.....but Wisconsin is pretty far from New York.

... and you may be lucky enough to find a good mechanic to will come to your location and do the work, assuming its not extensive ... avoiding the tow charges altogether.

12Ounce and Wiswind, thanks so much for your help! I appreciate it. :)

Thanks so much to 12Ounce and Wiswind for helping my wife through what is probably a bad alternator. I'm enjoying the sun and sand on an enforced vacation to the middle east right now, so your chivalry and information is appreciated more than you know!

A real shame, because I did a LOT of work on it before I left- new brakes and tires, brake fluid bleed/flush, iso bolt fix, new plugs (including the PITA back ones), trans fluid/filter change, oil change to Mobil 1 5W-20 (good tip, Wiswind). Figures!

If Dekeman is correct and the alt is bad, then it shouldn't be a very difficult fix. however, the whining and smell of burnt rubber tells me that it could also be other parts of the serpentine belt. of course, it could be that the alt caused the serpentine belt to not spin properly.

Glad to help Dekeman.

The alternator is a likely and easy candidate. Its the frontmost of the belt driven devices. The belt is easy to remove on this model ... most guys will be able just to "tug it off" by pulling on it firmly but slowly.

The power steering pump is a less likely, but also easy candidate.

The water pump .... well, forget it was mentioned. Not very likely anyway.

It may also be a piece of road debris that found its way into the belt path ... stranger things have happened.

Alternator would definitely be my first check. All of the electrical symptoms listed indicate an alt going bad, dead bat, alt light on and off, funny electical activity indicated by radio, rubber smell maybe is seizing alt, smell could also be alt shorting out, consistent with the dead battery. Sniff the alt, see if it smells like the rubber and plastic you smelled. Did you hear any high pitch, ticking, chirping, grinding or scraping noises? One of the idler pulleys may be starting to seizing causing the belt to get slip, get hot and not spin the alt fast enough. I'm still suspicious of the alt gone bad. An independent, reputable shop should be able to handle this. Dealers and chains are expensive. This should not require the specialty of the dealer. Unfortunately, new or high end rebuilt alt is around $200+ and labor should not be more than two hours. So, around $300 max?

I had those symptoms twice with my 02. The first time (without the burning smell) was the battery. The second time (with the burning smell) was the alternator. Those symptoms you described, especially them happeining all at once, are almost definitly a sign of the van running on low voltage.

When the battery went, the AAA guy came out to rescue my wife and threw jumper cables on it. Started right up and ran fine. As soon as he removed them, the engine quit. 99/100 this is a sign of an alternator not charging, but it turned out to be the battery. I guess the battery didn't just die, it shorted out inside.

Thanks, guys! Today's the day that the repair shop (that came highly recommended by coworkers) gives me the lowdown (or actually my wife). Will advise as to exactly what happened.

Hey Dekeman, you do what you can over there, we'll help as much as we can over here.

Sign me, a Canadian who supports our friends to the south.

Piper

I'm actually not dekeman, I'm his wife. :) He deployed on Monday,

My first thought, when reading this thread was to thank Dekeman and his wife for what they are going through. So, THANK YOU!!

After reading further, I suspect the serpintine belt idler or tensioner pulley bearings. The symptoms sound exactly the same as what I experienced when my tensioner ate it, before it ate the serpintine belt. Except, on mine it all happened before I could get out of traffic.

ken

Hi Dekeman and wife

I had exactly the same problems you are exoeriencing. Follow this link to see my posting.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=734702&highlight=orkel

Turns out the problem was the alternator and battery.
Hope this is at least a little help

Hopefully it will not be an expensive repair.....sounds like it is not real bad.....
Anything along the serpentine belt line can go at any time.....on most any vehicle......and cause any variety of these symptoms.

Don't feel bad about having this happen after going over the vehicle......as that is how these things can go.
You prevented a LOT of possible problems by preventative maintenance.

I would further recommend that you buy a Ford replacement if it is the alternator. When I had to buy my replacement, the Ford cost less than the AutoZone replacement ... and had a higher amperage output!

And a big THANKS from me also for the your service to us all!