2002 Windstar - Computer Issue?

[avgjoegeek]

I have a strange one here.

My van started behaving weird recently. It would randomly not start, the blinkers/headlights would stop working, then the radio and heater would stop. I would end up having to jump start it to get it running again.

So I thought its an electrical issue - either with the alternator and/or battery. I replaced the alternator and warrantied out the battery and the van behaved ok for about a week.

Now this thing is haunted! The lights will stay on randomly, it won't stay running even though the battery is fully charged (I get a horrid clicking sound when I try and start it). And today when I pulled the keys out of the ignition it was still "dinging" like I had left the keys in the ignition. I had to pull the lead off the battery so it wouldn't keep draining.

So... I went to the parts house because it's around the corner - and they couldn't keep it running long enough to run a diagnostic on it. The McManager stated that it is possibly a bad CPU.

But... what do you guys think? I'm going to be taking it to a mechanic - so there goes Christmas if its the CPU. Thanks ahead of time.

[danielsatur]

Reset the ECU, and control modules.
1) Disconnect the battery and remove from your Windstar.
Touch the positive wire to gnd to reset CPU and control modules.
2) Have your battery load tested at a local Auto Parts store.

A poor battery will burn an alternator up!
I'am assuming, that your battery isn't holding a charge like it once did.

[avgjoegeek]

Battery is brand new... I had it replaced along with the alternator.

I'll try that and see how it goes thanks!

[olopezm]

Have you checked the brake pressure switch? If fluid is leaking it can cause it to short circuit and cause a battery drain and even start a fire. It can also cause some electrical gremlins. Is your speed control working? If not it is likely that you have a bad BPS take a look at it under the brake booster, there is a sticky at the top of the forum index about it.

Make sure the cable terminals at the opposite side of the battery are clean and free of dirt or corrosion, if they aren't clean and tight you can also have that kind of electrical problems too.

Best regards,

Oscar.

[serge_saati]

No the problem is not the computer.
It really looks like a big short circuit somewhere in the battery circuit (hot all the time portion). If your BPS is good,
check the parasitic drain with an amperemeter between nagative post and negative lead. Wait 40 minutes, it should be 50-70mA. If it's too high, disconnect micro fuse one at the time until the current drop. Remove just the hot all time fuse (horn, headlight, interior light, emergency flasher, 12V socket...). It will tell you which circuit has the problem.

[wiswind]

Clean battery terminal connections and where they connect to Ground and the starter.
The ground and starter connections are down where they can get dirt.
The symptoms sound like things are seeing a voltage that is too low.
This can happen with a perfectly good battery with just 1 dirty connection someplace.
When It is not starting, check the voltage as measured between the 2 battery terminals.
If it is low at that point, your battery is too low (could be getting drained from some unknown source).
If the battery voltage is just fine, you most likely have a bad connection someplace.
Follow the wires from the battery terminals to where they go......and verify that they have good connection......free of corrosion and are tight.
This would apply to the power distribution box (where the relays are) also.
A tight connection with corroded terminals can STILL cause a poor connection.
Don't forget to verify the connections to GROUND as they are just as important to making a complete circuit.

I once had an issue with poor connections with battery terminals that were tight and LOOKED clean.
I solved my issue by removing the cable from each terminal and cleaning it with a wire brush and re-installing it.
Just a light coating of oxidation caused the whole problem.

Relays require a minimim amount of voltage to work....when they don't get that.....they do not work.