Transmission, driver side lock and Power Sliding Door problems

[olopezm]

The speedometer is electronic in 99+ windstars. Mine is not showing any O/D light, I don't know about codes as I don't have any transmission capable scanner nor I know about a good shop to have it scanned. The dealer here is way more expensive than in the US (so far everything I've bought from it is twice the price) and the guy who fixed the transmission last year made a huge mess with other components around it so I really want to avoid it (even for scanning), can't stand to see his face...

Just a quick update:

So far after the trs replacement the van drives so smooth, the engine is quieter (doesn't seems to rev as much as before) and the shifter lever is softer than before, also travels all the way to '1' gear! I'll just keep an eye on the lag while shifting from park or neutral to drive, the needle jumping because of the vss doesn't bothers me, specially after reading it's a mess to replace it...

Oscar.

[Fulcrum]

It sounds alot like the probelm I had. I believe its your Rear Control Module. Just replace it and see your problems go away. It is located behind your car jack at the back of your car, passenger side.

Take off the metal bracket that holds the jack. Then pull the yellow sound insulation back. Behind it will be the Rear Control Module, which is retangular metal box. You will see 5 different wire harness clips coming out of it.

Replace that module. Takes only 10 mins to remove, and another 10mins to replace, bracket and all.

Its amazing how much that thing controls, but after you see all the wires you will know it does. It controls the lock, the auotmatic doors, the speedometer, etc.

Brand new from the Dealership is $360. Get one from the junk yard for $15 or $25. Since you have a 2000 Windstar like me, your van can use one from a 2000 or 2001 MY vehicle (Do not buy a 2002 or later, as it won't work). I have a 2000 Windstar SEL with auto doors. The first module I bought was from a 2001 Windstar LX. Everything worked great but door did not move. I just bought another one yesterday off of craigslist, for $35 from a 2000 Windstar SEL. Now everything works and the doors too.

Don't drive your self crazy, just replace the module. I'll be updating my own post shortly. There is more information in there, so check it out.

Fulcrum

[olopezm]

Thanks Fulcrum,

I wonder what makes them fail. I guess I'll take a look at it and take it apart to see if there's anything suspicious inside...

Oscar.

[olopezm]

So I just checked out your thread and I think there might be some other similar things:

The Fuel gauge (mine is an SE so I don't have a computer in the dash) even when it works, the readings are kinda crappy, if I put in 5 gallons the needle will raise one quarter buit if I put in 2.5 gallons the needle won't move at all until 3-4 cycles it will climb a little each cycle until it either gets to the correct position or will just stay somewhere in the middle of the before and after refueling.

The reverse sensors go CRAZY from time to time, sometimes they will work fine with the intermittent beeping and will get faster as the distance decreases, some other times I'll get a constant (annoying) beep like I'm already ON the other car even when there's nothing behind. It drives me crazy...

The driver door lock was working intermittently, it would work fine some times, some other it would just seem to move but wouldn't either fully lock/unlock. After I took it off the door to clean it and inspect it it just stopped working. I guess I might have screwed it thinking the problem was in the door =(.

The PSD (only passenger side, other is manual) opens automatically, but when I try to close it, will still try to open and stop as it is already at the end of the run. I think since it started acting up it's been only about 10 times that the door opened and closed the way it should.

I remember that the A/C light at the front controls would light up when MAX A/C was selected, it no longer does but I can manually turn it on by pressing the A/C button.

Finally sometimes when I turn the key to the RUN position (KOEO), and if the A/C was previously on and turned off, the fan will blow for a second and turn off.

All these "un-noticeable" problems are similar to yours, which makes me think I might have a problem with the REM. Thanks to you Fulcrum for pointing me into that direction.

Oscar.