Windstar transmissions

[Headbolt]

There seems to be two transmissions used on the Windstar. Mine is a '99 with the towing package and has the XF2P-BA unit. The other one avialable is the F88P-BA. Are these the towing and non-towing versions or is there more to it than that? These numbers are stamped on top of the bell-housing, so I'm told. Thanks for any and all replys.

[lewisnc100]

My understanding there is one transmission available in the 99 Windstar, the AX4S transmission. I'm betting the 2 numbers are the same transmission with some minor differences to mate to the 3.0L vs. 3.8L engines. The XF2P-BA number is printed on a plastic tag attached to the top of the transmission housing in my 3.8L 2000.

[Headbolt]

Originally Posted by lewisnc100

My understanding there is one transmission available in the 99 Windstar, the AX4S transmission. I'm betting the 2 numbers are the same transmission with some minor differences to mate to the 3.0L vs. 3.8L engines. The XF2P-BA number is printed on a plastic tag attached to the top of the transmission housing in my 3.8L 2000.

Thanks for jumping in. I can't say if you're right or wrong, but my van is sitting in a fixit station with the tranny not doing so well. It's no one fault but my own for it's condition as I was hauling way more with it than what it was made for and through some pretty rough terrain. Then I was more conmcerned with the load on my truck & trailer (25,850 lbs)than the load my wife was towing with the van. She wasn't checking the fluid and neither was I. It got down on us via a leaky front seal, I'd bet on it, and just gave up 100 miles from our destination. Now getting back to the question. When I was checking for good used trannies via the junk yards on line such as this one: http://www.car-part.com, I get asked the following question:
A.T., 6-183 (3.0L), ID XF2P-AA
A.T., 6-232 (3.8L), ID XF2P-BA
A.T., 6-232 (3.8L), ID F88P-BA
A.T., 6-183 (3.0L), ID F88P-AA

Mine has the XF2P-BA which is hooked up to a 3.8L and has the trailer towing package. If it wasn't important I'd think they wouldn't be asking, eh? Could it be that the one I need is a heavier built unit for trailer towing? I'd hate for the garage to put in a lighter unit than what I have. They didn't seem to know there was a selection. The Ford site tells me I have the AX4S but don't seem to make mention of the other selections. Sure would like to know if it is or isn't important.

[lewisnc100]

In Ford documentation they list the AX4S part# as YF2Z7000BARM. They also call those numbers you've listed "assembly number prefix and suffix". I'd stick with what you have to be safe unless you can find some info on the differences.

Check that website for contact info, maybe they can tell you.

[wayne10]

hey there, sorry, just a little off topic, and maybe a dumb question, but, can you tell me where i can find the plug and/or wiring for a trailer hook up. we just bought the van, a 2001 windstar and it had 3 recalls on it, one of which was the wiring for the trailer hook up, when i picked it up, the service advisor at ford told us that it has the towing package, but for some teason i could not locate the wiring, thanks, wayne

[Headbolt]

Originally Posted by wayne10

can you tell me where i can find the plug and/or wiring for a trailer hook up. For some teason i could not locate the wiring, thanks, wayne

If it's like mine the pigtail shoild be on the passenger side near the rear wheel. You'll have to purchase a pigtail from Ford to extend it back to the hitch area or you can do as I did, buy a plug from an auto supply store that will fit this plug and get the pins too and mate it to a trailer 4flat plug. Ford gets around $50 and it cost me around $10-$15 to do the DIY if I remember correctly. I believe the one under the van will be capped. You can take a test lamp and have someone do the turn signal/tail light thing to determine what is what. Good luck. Wish someone would tell me the differences in the trannys.

[DRW1000]

Headbolt,

Have you though about asking Ford???

I know they don't seem to do much without charding but maybe they could answer your question

[Headbolt]

Originally Posted by DRW1000

Have you though about asking Ford???

Yup! Sent them (fleet.ford.com)an E-Mail yesterday morning and thus far no reply. also checked with service manager from the Ford dealer I purchased the van from and he seemed to not know anything about the different selections. Only seemed to know it was an AX4S. Also asked the salvage yard guy I was trying to get a used unit from and all he knew was that they needed to match the numbers but was not in the know as to why.

[Headbolt]

Update! The folks from Ford got back to me today and said they could not field technical questions. They suggested I call a dealership and seek help from them. I had already called the dealer from which purchased the van and did not get the answer I was looking for. I called the local Ford dealer (Hudspeth Motors) here in Harrison, AR and asked for the service manager. This time I asked that he pass me on to a transmission person if he couldn't help. Bill, the service manager, didn't have the answer so he passed me on to Bob, the head transmission person. Bob told me that the two numbers (XF2P-BA or F88P-BA) have to do with the gearing ratio, I assume that must be concerned more with the differential portion of the transaxle rather than the transmission portion. He also said if I were to put the incorrect one in, I'd get a CEL and the O/D light would flash. I didn't ask if they could be extinguished with a reflash or reprograming so I'm not sure what could be done if a person wanted to change one out for the other. I don't know why that can't be a part of the vehicle description either. If anyone has more on this I'd be interested.

[DRW1000]

Yeah...From what he told you there is more than one final drive ratio. That surprises me unless of course they are for different years or engines.

I wonder why the CEL would illuminate. I would suspect the engine would operate as normal. The O/D light I can see.

Bob either knew exactly what he was talking about or he was good at making stuff up on the spot................ LOL

[12Ounce]

Headbolt

Is your tranny so wiped-out that it can't be rebuilt? Rebuilding would eliminate any match-up issues with the rest of the drive train.

If you can find the right person at the dealership, they have reference material that gives all the match-up info (engine series/transmission series/half-shafts/, etc). It used to be in book form. Perhaps today is via company intranet or CD's. Often you find the application knowledge such as this in the parts department .... not the service department.