Quote:
Originally Posted by farns
We've been checking the wires with a voltmeter, and haven't found anything showing bad yet, but I found a post where they talked about checking all the fuses and stuff too, so I can study up on that and give it a try. I took it to an "electrical specialist" I was referred to, and he couldn't find anything wrong. Yet I get the warnings. So I keep going back to the computer in my mind.
What repair manual would you recommend to help me find these parts so I can test them? PCM, etc., I'm stepping way out of my comfort zone at this point, but I feel I need to try and understand the problem better, maybe I'm giving incomplete information to the mechanics, which is hindering their efforts.
I'll see what I can figure out on the vacuum leak as well. I've read tons about this, but haven't tried much because again it's out of my league. But perhaps with a good manual showing me where to poke and prod, I might have some luck.
One other quick question I have about the computer... There's more than one right? Like a main one, one for auxiliary systems, etc., isn't there? I mean, if it's a bad computer, I have to figure out which computer is bad right? Or is there just one?
I see lots of them on eBay, like this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...Q5fAccessories
But they all look different, so I"m not sure what I"m looking at. I just wonder if it's worth $80 to try it out, or if its' even something a guy can just swap out like that. Anybody have thoughts on that? |
Your Windstar has three computers. One is the PCM. This is the main computer and runs the engine. You have a front electronics module and a rear electronics module. (FEM and REM). The FEM controls things like the front windows, radio, instrument panel, radio, door dinger, etc. The REM controls the fuel pump, the rear door hatch, the sliding door, heater etc. I believe the tranny and engine are completely controlled by the PCM.
Mark.
P.S. If you purchase a new computer, it'll have to be reflashed at the dealer. I looked into it for a friend of mines Dodge Caravan and Dodge dealership charged $90 for the reflash. With the strange issues you are having, it might be worth your $90 for a reflash. (or whatever Ford charges). With my friend, we went to autocomputerexchange.com and they shipped us a "ready to install" PCM for $150. I've looked for my Windstar, but they aren't listed on their website. You might call them and see if they have any for your car in stock. It was well worth it to just plug and play.