98 Windstar Power Windows Won't Work

[smerrill]

Ok...here's a total rundown of the history of this problem.

Originally I kept getting the door ajar warning light on my console, and my side door stepwell light would not go out EVER because of this. After cleaning all the door sensors as recommended with WD40, the light would still stay on, and nothing else seemed to work.

After getting quite frustrated I just said screw it and I yanked the lightbulb out of the side door stairwell (behind the passenger seat), IMMEDIATELY after this my power windows stopped working.

Realizing that the removal of the light bulb was linked to my power windows circuitry for some strange reason I placed the lightbulb back into the light to attempt to get my power windows working again.

The problem is, now with the light back in, the power windows STILL don't work. They worked fine prior to the removal of the side door light, and now they won't even budge. Is this a blown fuse? If so how do I change it? Or is this a more serious problem? Can anyone help?

~cheers~
Shawn

[PumpItUp]

Originally Posted by smerrill

Ok...here's a total rundown of the history of this problem.

Originally I kept getting the door ajar warning light on my console, and my side door stepwell light would not go out EVER because of this. After cleaning all the door sensors as recommended with WD40, the light would still stay on, and nothing else seemed to work.

After getting quite frustrated I just said screw it and I yanked the lightbulb out of the side door stairwell (behind the passenger seat), IMMEDIATELY after this my power windows stopped working.

Realizing that the removal of the light bulb was linked to my power windows circuitry for some strange reason I placed the lightbulb back into the light to attempt to get my power windows working again.

The problem is, now with the light back in, the power windows STILL don't work. They worked fine prior to the removal of the side door light, and now they won't even budge. Is this a blown fuse? If so how do I change it? Or is this a more serious problem? Can anyone help?

~cheers~
Shawn

The light should have no direct coalation to the connection to the window malfunction..just happened to be another Windstar owner with a headache vehicle. The light first.. is relayed to the closure of the door in a secure fashion. I was told by Ford and if you do a forum search , you may find that others have cleaned the contact plate with a rubber eraser/rubber hockey puck is what I was told to use as in an eraser for lite oxidation, and if needed take a very fine "000" steel wool and polish the plate on the post being careful near the paint of course. Check also to see that the plastic alignment wing(<for lack of a better term) on the lower door post, that makes the door align itself on closing is not damaged /broken or missing. To replace/get at that, you have to undo a torx screw and also get inside the column where there is a nut that must be taken off which means taking off the plastic shroud around the inide door column and also includes the doorway entry plastic carpet / floor plates. If that still doesn't alleviate try dousing the latch points in the rear right and left side hatch doorway areas with WD40 or similar lub. And, open and close continuously and soak it good..

The windows scenario as mentioned should have no coalation to the light bulb. Does your drivers door master control not operate the windows or have you tried the passenger door button as well ? If both do not operate then it's a relay or fuse and check your manual for appropriate fuse.. If fuses check out then maybe a wire from the master control on drivers side thru the doorway has become damaged /broken and a ohm test on the appropriate wire control can be completed from the harness in the door to near the fuse box under drivers left steering column area.

[smerrill]

Hey,


Thanks for the input.

I tend to disagree with you about the windows and the side door light not being corelated though. All I know is that before I removed the sidedoor stepwell light, all of my power windows worked.

As soon as I ripped the light out (since it would not shut off) my power windows stopped working. When I re-inserted the lightbulb back into the light at the sidedoor stepwell, the power windows remained dead. No matter where you tried to control them from. I have read other threads on here that mentioned people removing the fuse for the door ajar light, and it killed the power windows, so I'm thinking there's very much a connection.

The only thing I can think is that it's a blown fuse problem. But I'm not mechanically saavy, so I don't even know how I'd go about finding the fuse, and changing it to try and fix the problem.

I'll see if I can get some friends to help me investigate this problem.

Thanks for the input though.

[smerrill]

Ok.....I fixed the problem and strangely enough you might not believe this.

Apparently, if the interior light fuse is blown, the power windows will not work. As soon as I placed a new fuse in slot 29 on the panel, the windows came back to life. Strange how the interior lights and the power windows are all connected....

Ford....a name you can't trust!