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1999 Ford Windstar electrical complaints

Page 4 of 8: complaints 71 to 100 of 208, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1999 Ford Windstar electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 1, 2009 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · VA

Speedometer going haywire, odometer up and down, overdrive flashing,brake light on, ABS light on. '99 windstar a complete lemon from 30,000 miles on. In shop at 34000 miles for six weeks. Presently smoke from under hood caused by brake pressure deactivation switch. Replacing this date. Previous quote for repair approximately $600.00. Replacing myself for $21.00. This is obviously a common occurrence, and should be corrected before someone catches on fire. Luckily I caught this in time to prevent more serious damage.

Filed Aug 30, 2009 · Electrical · 175,021 miles · NY

When I am driving down the road my gauges will not work but then suddenly work for a few miles and then get stuck in whatever position they happen to be in. Its my fuel, RPM, speed and temp are effected. My ABS light is on and my o/d light flashes but only after I have driven ten to fifteen miles. My A/C blows out hot air. Because my gauge was working at the time and said I was going 30mph I believed I was going 30 but I got pulled over by the police which said I was going actually 46mph.

Filed Aug 22, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 106,653 miles · CA

We recently purchased a used 1999 ford windstar sel minivan. We took it to an auto shop to have an oil change, and air filters replaced. Upon returning home that evening, we noticed and smelled smoke from underneath the hood. When we went to look at it, we found white smoke coming up from behind the air filter and in front of the master brake cylinder. We thought that some fluids had been spilt and were simply burning off. When we went to drive it later that evening, the entire inside of the vehicle went dark. All of the interior lights, the odometer, speedometer, computer station, radio, climate control, windows, door locks, A/C, instrument panel, cruise control, and turn signals stopped working. We made it home safely as the head and tail lights were still working. Upon inspection the following day, we found that the brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) located under the master cylinder (behind the air filter) developed a leak. It had been leaking for some time and had literally eaten away the electrical plug. The wires had been eaten through as well and had crossed and caused the short.

Filed Aug 12, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 125,721 miles · TN

My ABS light is on, brake light comes off and on, now my speedometer and the RPM meter are not working...

Filed Jul 30, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 107,000 miles · KY

1999 ford windstar 3.0l 4sp auto. Anti lock brake control module (tested at my expense $70) has gone bad, seems to be a big problem as many people have reported this. I have no odometer, speedometer or anti lock brakes. The engine also shuts off on its own on occasion, don't know if that's related or not. Van runs good otherwise, has 107000 miles on it I think, since the odometer hasn't worked for 3 months. I cant even get a replacement module unless I go to ford and then I have to pay to have it programmed too. Its shameful how much of the gauges are affected. I could live without the antilock, but I need a speedometer, my van is dead in the driveway until I work enough overtime to pay for something that shouldn't have gone out.

Filed Jul 21, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 75,000 miles · AZ · crash

I have had a lot of electrical problems with my 1999 windstar se. The inside fan goes on when opening/closing doors, lights flicker off and on, for no apparent reason, my master cylinder leaks and I have had ABS problems. We've replaced the rack and pinion three times. I love my van, but it has a lot of problems. The horn only works on occasion which caused me to be backed into!

Filed Jul 9, 2009 · Acceleration, Brakes · 92,352 miles · CO

Loss of brake fluid, brake light on after service,brake light red, 15 amp fuse blowing out, smoke coming from under the hood or from engine compartment,speedometer and odometer stopped working, cruise control will not activate or deactivates without warning, ABS warning light is on.

Filed Jul 6, 2009 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · WI · fire

2 weeks ago, my family and I had made a trip to the dallas texas area. A few days into the vacation we had gone to church. Well, when we had left church, I noticed that the speedometer, the air conditioning system were not working. I also noticed that the ABS was on. My father-in-law suggested that there was a fuse problem that made the AC stop working. We looked the fuses over and replaced the burnt ones according to the manual. The problem still persisted until we had left texas. On the way back home, (we were in oklahoma at the time) we had stopped at a gas station to fuel up. Leaving the gas station onto the highway our dash lights went out completely (it was around 5 am). So I pulled over to see what the problem was, by this time the hood of the van was blowing out faint smoke. We looked under the driver's side and seen there was a fire. My wife and I immediately got our 3 kids out of the van and into our parent's car, while my father-in-law doused the flames. Thank god we had road side assistance that towed us to the nearest autozone. We were shocked as to what exactly had happened. After replacing some more fuses, we got it up and running long enough to make it home. The speedometer still does not function properly and the ABS light is still on. During that time we noticed that the connection under the master cylinder that housed the ABS module had completely melted and had started the fire. I went on the internet to see if anyone else had the same problem. It seems to me that this has been a big issue with 1995-2003 windstar models. I have owned this vehicle for approximately 10 months and have not had any problems except for this. Like I have stated before, I have 3 babies that could have been harmed or killed by a faulty design on this vehicle. I would like to know what could be done about this issue. I do not have the money at this time to have it repaired to insure that it wont happen again. The vehicle is drivable but does not have AC/heat/ or ABS.

Filed May 19, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 107,060 miles · WV

1999 ford windstar ABS electronic control module failure. Abs warning light in dash has become illuminated and diagnostic codes indicate ABS ECM relay failure. Failure is due to a poor design, and poor materials choice in the construction of the anti-lock brake system electronic control module. Module failure effects the traction control system and results in unexpected, random braking of the vehicle. Removal of fuses of circuits 101 and 102, de-energize ABS system and traction control and makes the vehicle operable again, without ABS brakes or traction control.

Filed Mar 27, 2009 · Electrical · 138,124 miles · WI

Replaced wiring on fuse block,replaced high pressure switch twice,ABS traction control light keeps going on dash,driver brake light don't work,dealer said it is the rear brake module. I hope this is going to recall on all these cars that are having the same issue. I hope to here back from someone on all these issues with my ford windstar 1999. I had called the dealer on my brake module and they are having a had time getting a part,I had called the dealer on 3/20/09 and called them on 3/24/09 and I haven't heard from the dealer on what this is going to cost for the part and labor. Hope to here from someone soon.

Filed Mar 26, 2009 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · PA

Speedometer, odometer, air conditioning, cruise control quit working. ( approximately late february 2009) brake light constantly lit. Rear passenger compartment fan constantly on when heat/AC engaged. #10 fuse blown. Fix was on 3/25/09---brake pressure differential deactivation switch (2b264) and plug and fuse #10 replaced. Some leakage of brake fluid with corrosion evident to mechanic, although minimal wire damage noted. Mechanic believes that fluid had just recently started leaking.

Filed Mar 23, 2009 · Electrical · 119,055 miles · NY

Multiple ABS light problems. Most recent fixed by replacing brake switch and harness. Structural problems had caused shorted fuse which knocked out speedometer, heater and cruise control. This bill was $336.86, and it's the fourth time we've had ABS-related problems. Recall needed!

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Electrical · 117,000 miles · MI · fire

Our 1999 windstars idling while stationary in park or with brake depressed would become erratic and stall, with brakes depressed we would have to put vehicle in n to try to keep rpms up, vehicle stall when started to warm up then start up after turning key off then back on then the fuel pump went out we had to get the whole fuel system minus the gas tank replaced(pump, filter,sending unit) but when it was repaired we didnt get the fuel gage back and the mechanic couldnt find why. Then we had static coming thru the speakers while vehicle was off and continued while driving and just stopped as soon as started, then our battery was constantly dead we had just bought a new battery so we had to unhook and hook up the cables everytime we drove or battery would die .then the interior lamps would not go off at times we had to make sure they were off on the dial at all times they would sometimes come on while we were driving and not go off. Then we started having brake problems from the ABS sensor to excessive fluid loss and pads(twice within a couple months) and drums needing completely repaired brake lights that wouldnt go off except when vehicle was turned off ABS sensor flashing/staying on, we had problems starting vehicle but when we took it in starter, alternator, battery were fine it would take 30 mins or more to get vehicle to start but it would crank over, one day it stalled and wouldnt start we took it in and were told the fp(9 mos old) and PCM fuse was blowing. We had the fuel pump replaced but was still pulling 16 amps it ran for about 60 miles and died. New fuse and while driving guages went haywire,van died,while filling with brown smoke my son and I were in it both have asthma and dr said to keep him home til he felt better(he was complainig of being tired and sick ) all mechanics agrred it was wiring but couldnt find bad wires, missing grounds anywhere in the vehicle obdii didnt help. Property damage is loss of vehicle, inside ruined window couldnt be put up.

Filed Feb 4, 2009 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · PA

Cruise control went out 12/2008. Then on 1/31/09, the speedomter & odometer quit working and the ABS warning light appeared on the dashboard. Taken to ford garage to fix the problems

Filed Jan 27, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

The ABS light comes on when the car has been running for over 30 minutes. Received following codes. C1185 c1194 c1198 c1210 c1214 c1242 c1246 c1250 c1254.

Filed Nov 28, 2008 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · IN

The speedometer/odometer quit working and ABS warning light came on all at about the same time. Also, the cruise control had quit working the recent past. We found a website in trying to solve the problem stating that this has been a recall for ford windstars.

Filed Nov 12, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · 162,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. After closer inspection of the vehicle, he noticed that the wiring harness leading to the master cylinder was melted. The failure LED to a small fire under the hood. His model was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact still has possession of the melted wiring harness. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 162,000. Updated 12/02/08. *lj updated 12/03/08.

Filed Nov 6, 2008 · Acceleration, Electrical · 100,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The vehicle has been leaking brake fluid. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the leak was caused by failure in the electrical system and the vehicle speed control. After researching the issue, she discovered that there was an investigation currently taking place for the same failures (electrical system: wiring), (vehicle speed control: cruise control). She called the dealer and they stated that they could not repair the vehicle for free because it was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 103,000. Updated 12-15-08 *bf updated 12/17/08.

Filed Oct 14, 2008 · Electrical · 118,000 miles · OH

We have a 1999 ford windstar, ABS light on, doors wont unlock, odometer doesn't work, now blinkers are not blinking lights will not turn off, had to unhook the battery. What are our options. We have an electrical mess.

Filed Sep 17, 2008 · Electrical · 84,105 miles · CA

On the windstar the ABS relay shorts out putting a small hole in the unit and leaks brake fluid. I have met other windstar owners and this has happened on a lot of them. It cost me over $200 to fix at the dealer and was told this is a problem on ford trucks and was recalled on them but not the vans yet.

Filed Sep 11, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 83,000 miles · CA · fire

Abs module system failure and electrical fire due to pressure switch leak. According to ford, 1999 model year windstar is not part of recall but my vehicle exhibited the same failure as other model years as listed on the www.fordwindstarrecallinfo.com website.

Filed Sep 6, 2008 · Electrical · 57,100 miles · 00

Abs dash light comes on randomly ,, seems more frequent when weather is hot. Abs does not work when light is on... But does work when the warning light is not on. ... Diagnostic fault = c1185 ... Rear brakes replaced, fault code cleared ... Error and warning light returned within 30 seconds after pick-up from ford service.

Filed Aug 25, 2008 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · NY

For the past year, I have had the following issues with my 1999 ford windstar: 1. Abs light come on and off...now stays on 2. Red emergency brake light comes on. 3. Interior lights and locks work without pressing a switch. In last month: speedometer and odometer stopped working A/C stopped at same time these issues seem to be a common problem with this car......what can your agency do to make ford correct this situation since the mechanics don't have any idea about an economical solution. Thank you.

Filed Aug 15, 2008 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NJ · fire

1999 ford windstar was observed producing smoke while sitting in the driveway at 7:00am 7/31/08 (the vehicle was last driven around 8:00pm the previous evening). The vehicle was started and driven to a local mechanic who reported the ABS unit had burned and apparently smoldered out on its own. The ABS unit was disconnected and the mechanic advised to contact a ford dealer to see if the item was under recall due to his personal experience in dealing with these defects. Holman ford (mt. Laurel, nj) service department was contacted and stated there were no recalls on that particular vehicle. Note: roughly 1 month prior to the incident, the cruise control, air conditioner, and other electronic items stopped functioning. The service mechanic observed the cruise control unit appeared burned.

Filed Aug 11, 2008 · Electrical · 83,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated. He attempted to reset the battery in hopes that it was a defect. Two weeks later, smoke was present under the instrument panel. The speedometer, odometer, and air conditioning failed in the vehicle. There were several recalls listed; however, ford stated that his VIN was not included in the recalls. Currently, there is an open investigation (the federal safety agency action number pe08035) for the described failure. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 28, 2008 · Electrical · 113,500 miles · AZ

My 1999 ford windstar has an issue with fuse #10 blowing which affects the speedometer (does not work) as well as A/C which only blows hot air. The ABS brake light stays on and much more instrumentation is inoperable including cruise control. This first happened while on a highway in colorado. My husband and I pulled over and checked the manual. We replaced fuse #10 and all worked fine for a couple of months. Then the fuse began blowing each time I turned on the car. We bought several extra fuses as we were getting ready to drive to our new home in arizona. This was july 11, 2008. The car ran for 12 hours on a new fuse with no problem. We stopped and rested for three hours and continued our road trip on july 12th. The fuse blew when I started the car and several new fuses never got it to work again. I had to drive the last leg (four hours) of my trip with no A/C (desert climate) and worst of all no knowledge of how fast I was going. That was scary. I took the car to a mechanic in tucson, az and they told me I had some recall issues and that I should go to a ford dealership. I looked up recalls and found a website with ford windstar owners who have similar issues. Apparently, there is currently no recall for them at this time. They state it is under investigation. I hope so as I spent $1300.00 on A/C and heater problems last winter. My van has 115,000 miles on it and I need it to last me long enough until I get a new job in arizona. It is unsafe to drive at this time. Thank you.

Filed Jul 21, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 99,000 miles · CT

Ongoing failure of fuse that controls the speedometer/AC and ABS. Leak from under master break cylinder onto switch. Fixed by repair shop. 1999 ford windstar.

Filed Jul 6, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 143,000 miles · KY

1999 ford windstar brake, ABS brake stays on, cruise control went out, and speedometer/odometer went out. Fuse blew and continues to blow. Ford has a redesigned brake pressure switch, but will not say it is a recall.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 79,803 miles · LA

1999 ford windstar faulty brake pressure switch for cruise control needed to be replaced. From the website, ford windstar recall: many owners of these popular vans have encountered any of the following problems. Ford has not taken action to solve these critical problems yet.

Filed Jun 11, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 115,000 miles · NJ

I have a 1999 ford windstar, 3.8l engine. Abs brake light on, no speedometer, no odometer, no air conditioning. Took to a repair shop, they found fuse #10 was blown. Replaced the fuse and smoke started to come up from the master cylinder area, he removed the electrical connection plug for the brake pressure switch located on the bottom of the master cylinder. Thankfully this did not occur while my wife and children in the vehicle, so no one was injured. I have read on the internet of several windstars with this same problem, and believe ford should do something to rectify this problem.

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