Vehicle is a 1998 ford windstar. While driving the windshield washer,seat belt,and door ajar warning lights flash on and off. While this is happening the wiper blades stop working,power windows will not operate and on a few occasions the headlights will blink with the warning lights. I understand that this is an old vehicle but I have researched this issue and have found hundreds of complaints about the same problem. Not just restricted to this year. It is also an issue that happens just after a few years of service. I would think that wiper blades malfunctioning due to an electrical issue would be a safety concern.
1998 Ford Windstar: headlights failing or too dim
9 of the 1,424 complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
I have a 1998 ford windstar van 2 months ago I had a leak of fluid that caused some wires to burn into under the hood that caused wiring to my head light and overhead light to blow my mechanic had to direct wire one side of my head light and my cruise control system had to be disconnected as he said it would cause my van to catch fire. My ABS and brake system light stays on now as soon as the mechanic repaired the faulty part I started experiencing all the following things,,,I have lose of power . The van stalls in traffic and also as I'm taking off from a stop after putting the van in gear...when I put on the gas it makes a bad rattling sound like a lifter or valve tapping but only when the gas peddle is engaged. The gear shift feels like it gets stuck in park and I have a hard time getting it to release out of park before this problem my van drove great I never had any problems could you please find what the problem is thank you
1998 windstar headlights are extremely clouded making low beams useless. *ts the headlight are cloudy on the inside and the outside and cannot be polished. The dealer indicated that this was a common problem.
Headlight power reduced due to hazy len's.
Headlight covers turned cloudy. Consumer first noticed this in 2001. Even when headlights are switched to bright they do not illuminate the roadway enough to safely see at night.
Headlights over the past year have not been corrected. At night dimmer lights have very poor visibilty. Dealer has been notified. *ak dealer advised that headlight assembly needed to be replaced.
While driving headlights will go out without warning. 10 seconds later they will come back on. Please provide any further information.
I was driving on a two lane curving road with the brights on. Without warning the lights went completly out. I was able to pull the switch back to the regular position and they luckily they came back on. I was unable to get a replacement on saturday because the dealer was doing inventory. The switch also failed several other times over the weekend with the regular headlights as well. I contacted the dealer for a replacement switch and asked him if they had been replacing many of these and he told me yes. I then proceeded to tell him how it tried to kill me and my family. I have metered the replacement switch and it shows readings all over the place as far as resistance, in excess of 400,000 ohms at times. It never would stay completly open. I just wonder how many accidents that this intermittant problem may be responsible for.
Traveling at night with lights on. Activating right turn signal caused headlights to turn off (parking lights stayed on). Turning light swtich off then back on again did not correct. Had to flash highbeams for headlights to turn back on. Testing right turn signal again shut off healights. Again, only way to get them back on was to flash and release hi-beams.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock
- Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock
- Some vehicles equipped with 3RD row map lights may exhibit loose fitting lights
- Replacement headlamp bulbs - several aftermarket companies are offering replacement bulbs with a higher...
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.
- Risk
- The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
- Remedy
- Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Recall number 00V168000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Ford Windstar headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
9 of 1,424 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Windstar (1%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Ford Windstar?
There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Ford Windstar
Stalling 98Coil spring 85Transmission failure 81ABS 75Ball joint 56Grinding brakes 51Fire or smoke 40Tire blowout 32Adaptive cruise 31Brake failure 28Jerking 27Fuel pump 22Harsh shifting 22Check engine light 20Won't shift 20Slipping 19Door locks 18Sudden acceleration 17Wipers 17Pulling 15Fuel gauge 14Power steering loss 13Engine failure 12Overheating 10Hesitation 8Loss of power 8Power windows 8Seat belt 8Fuel leak 7Fuel smell 6Steering lock-up 6Steering noise 6Knocking 5Won't start 5
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