2001 windstar light problem

[droback]

2001 windstar with many light problems. No interior lights (dome, foot, reading rear reading, cargo...) and no lights in rear at all (brake, park, reverse, signal...). Also power door locks are "real weak".

The lasty time this happened, I replaced a relay near the fuse panel (#4 if I remember) and all was well. This time - no luck replacing the relay and all fuses are ok.

Also, when I operate the electric door locks, I hear a clicking from the front electronic control module.

Would this ECM control all these lights?
What is the clicking inside the ECM - I wouldn't have thought there would be a relay in there.

Any other thoughts what would cause all these lights to fail.

[rdw187]

Any luck? I have a similiar problem in my van, and any advice would be great.

Originally Posted by droback

2001 windstar with many light problems. No interior lights (dome, foot, reading rear reading, cargo...) and no lights in rear at all (brake, park, reverse, signal...). Also power door locks are "real weak".

The lasty time this happened, I replaced a relay near the fuse panel (#4 if I remember) and all was well. This time - no luck replacing the relay and all fuses are ok.

Also, when I operate the electric door locks, I hear a clicking from the front electronic control module.

Would this ECM control all these lights?
What is the clicking inside the ECM - I wouldn't have thought there would be a relay in there.

Any other thoughts what would cause all these lights to fail.

[droback]

Originally Posted by rdw187

Any luck? I have a similiar problem in my van, and any advice would be great.

After trying a few things, I took it to a garage. It took him a couple hours, but it turned out to be a broken wire coming out of the rear ECM (behind the tire jack storage). Evidently, these windstars have a front and rear ECM. He wiggled the harness and the lights came on. When he found the wire, it basically broke in two. He said the wires used in these are very thin. He also said that he has seen this problem with correded harness plugs.

Good Luck...

[garync1]

I too have a 2001 windstar thanks for your post. I have yet to have any internal light problems but now I will know were to look. If you ever have problems with your power door locks I have a post for a cheaper replacement that not hard to do. Spent 14 bucks and did both doors. pasenger and drivers side.

[rdw187]

Do you know if you van was a part of the 2002 recall? You can look it up on the highway safety website. Basically there was an electrical recall as a sealer was not working properly and caused electrical problems with the vans.

Thanks for your help!

Originally Posted by droback

After trying a few things, I took it to a garage. It took him a couple hours, but it turned out to be a broken wire coming out of the rear ECM (behind the tire jack storage). Evidently, these windstars have a front and rear ECM. He wiggled the harness and the lights came on. When he found the wire, it basically broke in two. He said the wires used in these are very thin. He also said that he has seen this problem with correded harness plugs.

Good Luck...