98 windstar...all kinds of elec probs

[jsntarrant]

I have a 98 ws, 3.0l, 100k miles....like many others here, i had the interior lites staying on because the switch wasnt working. I sprayed wd-40 in all the latches, trying to fix the problem that way. it didnt work...tried pulling the overhead bulb out-but it was too hot...so i tried prying it out with my key-not a good idea i know but it was 11 at nite and i was trying to get the lite off so my wife didnt have a dead battery in the morning.

I hit the metal prongs with the key, it sparked and the light went out-thought that i had just blew the light...now i find out i have no horn, no brake lights, wipers(front or rear), no pw, no pl(but the lights still illuminate controls), power mirrors work, radio works...


checked all the fuses with test light and there appears to be no bad fuses...


any one else done anything stupid like this....need some help so i dont have to go tracing wires from the battery


thanks for any help

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by jsntarrant

I have a 98 ws, 3.0l, 100k miles....like many others here, i had the interior lites staying on because the switch wasnt working. I sprayed wd-40 in all the latches, trying to fix the problem that way. it didnt work...tried pulling the overhead bulb out-but it was too hot...so i tried prying it out with my key-not a good idea i know but it was 11 at nite and i was trying to get the lite off so my wife didnt have a dead battery in the morning.

I hit the metal prongs with the key, it sparked and the light went out-thought that i had just blew the light...now i find out i have no horn, no brake lights, wipers(front or rear), no pw, no pl(but the lights still illuminate controls), power mirrors work, radio works...


checked all the fuses with test light and there appears to be no bad fuses...


any one else done anything stupid like this....need some help so i dont have to go tracing wires from the battery


thanks for any help

You may of blown a maxi link. They're under the hood on your right when you're looking under the hood. Check them out.

I found that the rear hatch latches are the trouble aira for the lights coming on. The lube from when it was new gets old and the switch starts sticking on. I pulled both of mine and cleaned them well with a spray cleaner. Then I lubed them with a spray lube. They seem to be working well.


Regards

Dan

[jsntarrant]

thanks Dan! got pw, pl working, 3rd brake lite works now...but i have some chiming tone now for about 1 min after i start it....i have grown to hate all fords....

[mjc8850]

Originally Posted by jsntarrant

thanks Dan! got pw, pl working, 3rd brake lite works now...but i have some chiming tone now for about 1 min after i start it....i have grown to hate all fords....

You want to focus on the drivers door, the chiming is from the drivers door thinking it is open. clean the latch mechanism or do what i did load it up with WD-40. there is a ton of information look under "door ajar light in 98 windstar. Good luck!

[LeSabre97mint]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by jsntarrant
thanks Dan! got pw, pl working, 3rd brake lite works now...but i have some chiming tone now for about 1 min after i start it....i have grown to hate all fords....

You're very welcome! Fix Or Repair Daily

Dan

Originally Posted by mjc8850

You want to focus on the drivers door, the chiming is from the drivers door thinking it is open. clean the latch mechanism or do what i did load it up with WD-40. there is a ton of information look under "door ajar light in 98 windstar. Good luck!

Good point!

Dan