1998 Ford Windstar locks problems

Filed May 24, 2010 · Body, Electrical · MS

I have a 1998 ford windstar. It first started with my cruise control switch catching on fire and causing wires under my hood to burn... Now for the last year I have been having problems with my passenger sliding door..the sensor on the dash would show that the door was ajar(not closed) I could take the battery cable off for a while and the door light would go off. Now I have had to remove all the bulbs in the lights inside the van to keep my battery from running down this morning I get up and my battery is dead and acid from the battery is all over the post and cable wires. I talk to my mechanic he says this is due to some problem in the electrical system he said he has had to work on several windstars for the same problemsome kind of sensor fault defect.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Locks · 70,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated the front hood unlatched from the vehicle while traveling 65 MPH. The hood blew off, and went through the windshield nearly causing injuries.

Filed Feb 7, 2006 · Electrical, Locks · 53,000 miles · PA

Electronics-door ajar warning light stays on specifically when weather is damp or mild. This causes door locks to unlock by themselves even when vehicle is in motion, also door chime keeps chimming. Battery looses power because dome lamp stays on for extended period of time. Rear windshield wipers will not work if illuminated door ajar warning is caused by opening or closing rear liftgate. Repairs have been made to driver door switch at the cost of $100 parts and labor, however the passenger door, side slider and rear liftgate have the same problem. Im not sure if doors are really closed or not. Since the doors wont stay locked, I believe this poses as a safety hazard to all passengers. Mechanics have told me that this is a common problem with mini vans.

Filed Apr 27, 2005 · Locks · 75,000 miles · MI

Interior lights and door locks operating erratically while vehicle is in motion

Filed Jul 1, 2004 · Locks · 112,620 miles · SD · 1 injury

Door actuators failed in this minivan in 2000. In 2001 the relay switches were replaced and in 2002. Now in 2004 they say I need to replace the door actuators again. As a result the doors do not lock automatically everything must be done manually.

Filed Apr 14, 2004 · Locks · NY

Door ajar lights come on even when all doors are securely closed. The lights continue even when the car is moving. Eventually, sometimes after a day, the lights go out on their own.

Filed Apr 9, 2004 · Locks · 50 miles · MA

I own a 1998 ford winstar. I bought it two years ago and a month after I bought it the door ajar light goes on when I open the slider or the trunk and it won't go out therefore my dome light stays on and if I don't pull the fuse I risk the chance of loosing my batteryand when the fuse is out I can't open my windows.

Filed Mar 18, 2004 · Locks · 54,000 miles · KS

We have a 1998 ford windstar, the door switch, is a safety problem when the doors are shut, the light showing the door open, the door locks will unlock, and the in side lights will stay on. I had new rear door locks replaced, my wife safety is a factor if you leave the inside lights on, the battery will fail, if you take the fuse out, then the windows will not work.

Filed Oct 12, 2003 · Locks, Steering · 32,952 miles · NC

Consumer stated while parking and without any indication vehicle lost power steering. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed steering fitting was rusted which caused the power steeering fluid to leak. The hood was difficult to open. The dealer lubed the latch. *ak *ts

Filed May 30, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · GA

Continual problems with interior lights and locks because of the door ajar monitor. Have to use passenger side door to enter because drivers door normally sets it off, and have to unplug battery to let system reset, so battery does not go dead which normally takes a couple of days. Locks will lock and unlock on their own while driving. Door ajar will also activate with the other doors on its own while you are driving. This has been happening for at least two years. Everytime I wanted to take it to the dealer, it would stop and the dealer said they could do nothing unless it was happening at the time.