'96 Windstar issues (thinking of buying) - tranny, windows, and AC

[voxecho]

I am looking at picking up a 96 Windstar (for 2k) with 127k miles on it. the price is good, but there are a few issues that i am not sure about. so i thought i would get some advice.

1) the passenger side windows do not open - both the passenger and the wind "vent" wing in the back. I’ve checked the fuse and it looks good, i can't imagine that both motors would go out at the same time, so... i wonder if anyone has any ideas and if it's easily (cheap) to fix - in most likely scenario.

2) the AC stays in defrost (default) position. that's a vacuum problem, i know, as it happened on my contour too. a loose hose. but i don't know if it can be fixed without tearing out the dash... any thoughts? (they are going to fix this one, but if they can't, they will give a discount so i hope they can't, so i can save a couple 100$ and fix it myself

3) this is the big one. the tachometer doesn't move during normal driving just sits on 0, however when the auto-tran downshifts for speed, it will jump up to 5000+ until i ease back into normal acceleration then it will drift back down. is this a precursor to tranny problems, or just something not worth worrying about? my contour started having tack problems (it would simply play ping pong between 0 and MAX) before my tranny started acting up, so i am leery that this may be a warning sign. - any thoughts?

thanks in advance
-Echo

[busboy4]

Hi Echo

Don't want to push you too hard one way or the other:

My '96 is at 139000. I have had the vent windows fail to operate. It has always been the switches. I take them apart and clean the contacts and they will work again. I have not had problems with the passenger windows.

I have had the vacuum problem and traced it to a leak under the hood on a vacuum line. Others have found the problem elsewhere- the control panel etc.

I would think you could have a pretty good chance with those two items. I have never had a tach problem.

Good Luck

[voxecho]

well, i bought it and turned right around and took a small trip in it. did great. the tach started working and then not, then working again. it worries me, but with how clean this car is and how well it drives, i think i could spring for a new tranny (if needed) and still come out getting the best of the deal.

as to the switches, i can't see how both switches will go bad at the same time, but i will definently try that anyway. i am thinking there is a bad feed to that side of the car though.

thanks for your reply

-Echo

Originally Posted by busboy4

Hi Echo

Don't want to push you too hard one way or the other:

My '96 is at 139000. I have had the vent windows fail to operate. It has always been the switches. I take them apart and clean the contacts and they will work again. I have not had problems with the passenger windows.

I have had the vacuum problem and traced it to a leak under the hood on a vacuum line. Others have found the problem elsewhere- the control panel etc.

I would think you could have a pretty good chance with those two items. I have never had a tach problem.

Good Luck

[LeSabre97mint]

Hello

I had both front window motors fail within a week of each other. I too thought it was a wiring issue. It turned out to be dirty motors. I was able to clean them and put them back into use. Just a note on cleaning DC motors. I've done this a few times and had my learning curve with my 93 Taurus. I had a couple of motors fail again after I cleaned them on that car. So far so good on the Windstar.

Regards

Dan

[voxecho]

now that you meantion it, i did have a window go out on my 89 taurus (years ago) the ford dealer didn't mention anything about dirty motor though :\ cost me pleanty to replace. i see a pattern.

those are a bear to get to though, arn't they?

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

Hello

I had both front window motors fail within a week of each other. I too thought it was a wiring issue. It turned out to be dirty motors. I was able to clean them and put them back into use. Just a note on cleaning DC motors. I've done this a few times and had my learning curve with my 93 Taurus. I had a couple of motors fail again after I cleaned them on that car. So far so good on the Windstar.

Regards

Dan

[DRW1000]

I wonder if the tacho problem could be a loose ground or feed since it seems to be intermittant.

I agree with the thought that the feed may be the problem with the window motors. Of course they are both not working now but ccould have failed months apart (I assume you do not know the history) and at least on person has stated that his failed within a week of the other. If I was troubleshooting a power window I would check for voltage at the switch and then at the motor (with the switch pressed). If I have voltage at the motor then I would suspect the motor.

[voxecho]

well checking the voltage at the switch should be easy enough, but how is the access to the motor? i am not really very mechanical (i've ruined cars by trying to change the oil )

thanks for all the feedback. i really like the van and hope that i don't regret buying it

Originally Posted by DRW1000

I wonder if the tacho problem could be a loose ground or feed since it seems to be intermittant.

I agree with the thought that the feed may be the problem with the window motors. Of course they are both not working now but ccould have failed months apart (I assume you do not know the history) and at least on person has stated that his failed within a week of the other. If I was troubleshooting a power window I would check for voltage at the switch and then at the motor (with the switch pressed). If I have voltage at the motor then I would suspect the motor.

[DRW1000]

Trim panels are not too dificult to remove but you must take your time and be careful. There are speciall trim tools too I never used them on my 99. Remeber do not pull too hard on any piece and ensure that all screws are removed and be aware of clips that are not visable. IIRC on my 99 it was not too bad getting to my vent motor. Mine stopped working and re-seating the connector at the motor seemed to correct it. Of course this means that I was getting power to the motor connecter but not to the actual motor itself.

[wiswind]

I have not replaced the window motors in the doors.
HOWEVER, I have taken the trim panels off, and have step by step pictures in the pictures that you can get to in the link in my signature.
I am at over 165K miles on my '96.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by voxecho

now that you meantion it, i did have a window go out on my 89 taurus (years ago) the ford dealer didn't mention anything about dirty motor though :\ cost me pleanty to replace. i see a pattern.

those are a bear to get to though, arn't they?

Voxecho

For a dealer to take a window motor out, take it apart and clean it, would cost you more than a new motor. I have more time than money....that is why I do 98.999 of the repairs myself.

Regards

Dan