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2001 Ford Windstar electrical complaints

Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 223, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2001 Ford Windstar electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 12, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · NJ

The brake pressure differential deactivation switch located under the master cylinder developed a leak. My ford dealer told me this will cause a short and a fire!!!!!!!!. From what I hear this leak causes brake fluid to wick down two wires to the ABS brake module. The fluid accumulates on the power connectors for the ABS brake system which are powered by fuses 101 and 102 and are both 40 amp. The fluid attracts moisture, road salt and leads to a fire when the fluid and moisture act as conductor between the hot leads and ground. Ford wants me to pay them $2000 to fix this. I hear you are looking into this fire issue.

Filed Oct 12, 2009 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · MI

My 2001 windstar has never been in any accident. Last summer while standing and running it all of a sudden had smoke rising on the exterior of the van on the driver side, most likely due to the low brake fluid sensor leaking at the bottom of the brake master cylinder. My cruise control became intermittent and my ABS light came on after hitting a bump. A local shop stated that a wire was loose and it would cost a $1000 to find the problem. Today I learned that the switch is leaking and the connector to the wiring harness is burned and has been shorted by leaking brake fluid. Thankfully that I did shut down the car when the smoke appeared and I did not have a fire. I understand that the federal safety agency is investigating windstars that have had fires or problems like this.

Filed Oct 4, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 105,000 miles · FL

Abs warning light goes on intermittently on 2001 ford windstar. Light goes off and stays off if motor is shut off and then re-started. Sometimes it stays off after restarting van and other times it comes back on. I understand there are several complaints by concerned owners and that in some cases a fire hazard has been exposed or feared. Please add my vehicle to those others who have submitted complaints. I understand a recall may be in the works. I intend to have the car inspected by a reliable mechanic soon.

Filed Sep 28, 2009 · Electrical · 114,000 miles · CA

We could smell smoke in our van, and the instrument panel was going crazy (warning lights coming on, speedometer fluctuating between speeds). We took it in and found that the ABS module had shorted out because of brake fluid dripping onto the module and was slowly shorting out other wires and sensors, which could have caught fire. They are charging us to replace the ABS module and the engine wire harness because of the fried wires.

Filed Sep 26, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 50,000 miles · NY

In my ford windstar 2001 the yellow ABS brake light and red brake light turns on after few minutes worm weather or after approximately 10 minutes in cold weather. Looks like the fault is related to thermal expansion in the ABS control module. The problem started in 2006 and is getting worse.

Filed Sep 10, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 107,000 miles · NC

2001 ford windstar - recurring ABS & e-brake lights on while driving in 2001 ford windstar. Lights come on intermittently and stay on until vehicle is turned off. After restarting, lights will come on again once driving has started. Mechanic unable to determine problem. Possible fire damage.

Filed Sep 9, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

Abs and brake light came on and then speed thing stopped working so I didn't know what speed I was going. My mechanic said after searching for 2 days that is probably brake pressure switch. I looked it up online and saw many ford windstars had same problem that have even caused fires! Thanks

Filed Aug 29, 2009 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NY · fire

Drove from albany, new york to virginia beach on august 15-16, 2009. As we pulled into our destination, ABS light and brake light went on, o/d light flashed, speedometer and odometer readings went to --------, and we smelled smoke. Was able to drive car to beach ford in virginia beach where we were told that brake deactivation switch was leaking fluid damaging wiring harness and many other components. Was told that wiring harness part needed was obsolete. Husband was shown burned up wiring harness and ABS unit by mechanic. The wiring harness plug was melted into the ABS unit. These parts remain in the car, unplugged. We have been told by ford that there is no such recall for our vehicle, although we have researched on the internet and believe this to be untrue. We have spent $500 getting the leak repaired so we could drive home, and an additional $200 from our local dealer to tell us that we need to spent $3000 more in order to repair the problem. Currently, we have no speedometer and odometer, ABS light and brake light are on due to burned parts, o/d light flashes.

Filed Aug 16, 2009 · Electrical, Seat belts · 71,000 miles · OH

Failure of speedometer, odometer, A/C compressor switch and blown fuse (#10 in fuse panel, 15 amp). Failure of front passenger seat belt to remain engaged when holding a occupant.

Filed Aug 6, 2009 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · NY

No speedometer readout :& ABS lights are on.

Filed Jul 26, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 106,720 miles · FL

Brake pressure deactivation switch leaks, causing loss of brake fluid and illumination of brake warning light. Replenished fluid, but before switch could be replaced it shorted burning out fuse #10. This caused loss of function of speedometer , tachometer, odometer and AC; ABS and brake warning lights illuminated and overdrive off indicator flashes. Replacing switch and fuse #10 resolved issue. Research on the internet found that failure of this component has LED to fires due to brake fluid leaking on other electrical components, though no additional evidence of damage was found in this case.

Filed Jul 22, 2009 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · OH

Loss of odometer,speedometer, cruise control, all functions associated with #10 fuse. Happened 1 time. Disconnected ABS deactivation switch from master cylinder. Connection was contaminated with brake fluid causing a short and blowing fuse #10.

Filed Jul 18, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 155,000 miles · IL

2001 ford windstar ABS light and brake light comes on while driving, when I turn vehicle off and restart the lights come on again while driving I have noticed brake fluid on the switch below the master cylinder and also on another switch bank in the area below. I am currently researching how to repair and if there is a recall on this view ford tsb 15682.

Filed Jul 16, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 87,000 miles · MI

I have a 2001 ford windstar se van where the brake, ABS and traction control lights intermittently come on. When this happens, my understanding is that the ABS and traction control systems will not function normally. To me this is a safety concern. I have had a mechanic look at the problem and run the computer codes but was unable to determine the cause. I will have to bring this vehicle to the ford dealer and spend a bunch of money to have them fix it I'm sure. In the meantime, I understand that some vehicles experiencing this problem have started on fire (mine hasn't) but this is a ticking time bomb as this is the car my wife and children ride in. I believe that ford should have to perform a recall to fix or replace the faulty part(s).

Filed Jul 10, 2009 · Electrical · 95,613 miles · NY

Brake light on after brake service speedometer and odometer stopped working ABS brake light stays on defective cruise control.

Filed Jul 9, 2009 · Electrical · 94,465 miles · AZ · fire

I have a2001 ford windstar lx ,I went to the store and parked my car was in the store aprox 40 mins when I came out there was smoke coming from under the drivers side, car was taken to united car care my all time car repair place , ABS had burn the connector harness .van not usable I am a 77 year old widow now without transport for my medical appoints, and no money to get van fixed or buy another car ford needs to repair this as many others have had this happen the van should have been recalled please make ford fix this , I was lucky I could have been driving and been hurt thank you x

Filed Jul 9, 2009 · Acceleration, Electrical · 91,000 miles · AZ

The cruise control stopped working and I thought it was a fuse blown. However, my wife was at a traffic light and a big puff of smoke came from under the hood of the car. We took it to a friend who worked for a ford dealership. He stated that the brake fluid from the reservoir had leaked onto the modules below and they had shorted out. He had seen this many times before and told us it would be about $1300 to get it fixed. As of today, we have not been able to afford the repair. We feel it is unsafe to drive; consequently, the car awaits a recall or a lottery win by us to get it repaired. I am thankful that my wife and other drivers were not injured when this happened. Engineers pride themselves on having an engineering solution for every problem. My hope is that this complaint will help them see the need, along with the others, to bear the burden of this repair, and probably engineer cars that are not slow-ticking time bombs.

Filed Jul 8, 2009 · Electrical · 180,200 miles · 00

Wires melt down. Strip my fuse number 10. My kilometer, speedometer, brake and ABS lights are on in my dash.

Filed Jul 8, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 140,685 miles · PA · fire

Abs switch below master cylinder caught on fire leaking fluid on wires then blew fuse to speedometer and odometer and overdrive dealer says no recall had to buy fuse and take to garage to fix other problems caused fix wiring badly burnt.

Filed Jun 18, 2009 · Electrical · PA

One day the dashboard lights, headlights went out. I have taken it in for service twice. They replaced the number ten fuse. But it blow again. Now the lights AC radio stay on even when the key is out.

Filed Jun 18, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 68,600 miles · NE

On a very hot day I went over a bump and the red brake light and yellow ABS light came on in my 2001 ford windstar. I was panicked that the brakes would fail, but after parking the van and restarting it, the lights were gone. They came back on intermittently over the next couple months. I took it to the dealer a couple times before they told me it needed a new ABS module. I research the internet to understand the problem, and why it only happens when it is hot out. We decided to postpone the $700 repair, since it doesn't occur when it is cold out. We had no problems this winter, but now that it hot again, the lights are again coming on intermittently. My understanding is that we won't have ABS only when the lights are on. But this is a big safety concern in that we don't know if we will be able to count on the ABS system working when we need it. Ford should be responsible for fixing this problem since it is definitely a safety issue that results from a defective part they designed. At this point we have not replaced the part, it is still in the van, but I anticipate that we will have to replace it soon as the weather gets warmer and the lights become more frequent.

Filed Jun 15, 2009 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 103,000 miles · PA

Outrageous ,I have been researching the possible problem of an ABS/brake light ,that keeps coming on in my 2001 ford wind star lx van. Statement is 1999- 2003 ford windstar vans could have this and the problems that could occur. My oh my .. I have 3 children that ride in that van daily, I'm a low income parent. Why would one take this chance with humans. I bought the van in march of 2009. 2 days later ABS/ brake light came on. At the time I was told that I have an eagle warranty ..that might I add not even the ford dealer ship would except. I don't take chances where my children are involved.

Filed Jun 14, 2009 · Electrical · IL · fire

2001 ford windstar brake pressure differential deactivation switch fire. Replaced with part that has been a recall for f150's. Burnt part kept. Previous problems. Abs module malfunction causing loss of speedometer, odometer, ABS light, brake light, od light, loss of headlamp, cruise control, seatbelt warning bell, AC/heat/defrost.

Filed Jun 12, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 123,000 miles · IA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the emergency brake and ABS lights illuminated on the instrument panel. In addition, the speedometer and odometer gauges blanked out and other gauges began to sporadically flash simultaneously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a diagnostic was performed. The failure codes indicated that the braking system was faulty due to water or fluid entering the ABS connector. Brake fluid was found leaking onto the ABS module as well as fluid build-up in the connector. The ABS module and pump were replaced. The dealer also attempted to reprogram the ABS module, but was unsuccesful. The VIN was unable to be entered into the system. The current and failure mileages were less than 123,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2009 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · NC

The #10 fuse on my 2001 ford windstar keeps blowing. This disables speedometer and A/C, and causes ABS and brake lights to come on. It also disables several other monitoring systems. I have determined that the switch under the brake master cylinder is leaking brake fluid. I am confident that this issue is the same one that has been reported by numerous windstar owners. I am going to buy the replacement part. I shall keep the receipt, in hopes that I may be reimbursed, eventually.

Filed May 19, 2009 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · AL

Ford windstar 2001. The brake pressure differential deactivation switch located under the master cylinder over time leaked. This caused a short and a fuse trip. This leak also caused brake fluid to wick down two wires to the ABS brake module. The fluid accumulated on the (always on) power connectors for the ABS brake system causing the ABS (anti-lock brake system) ECM (electronic control module) module to expand in the ECM which is attached to the ECM main circuit board at all points. This could have caused a fire in the automobile if it was not corrected. Cost $1500.00 at ford dealership to correct. Replaced ECM, brake pressure differential deactivation switch, and servo cruise control part. Brake pressure differential deactivation switch that caused all the trouble is available.

Filed Apr 27, 2009 · Electrical · FL

The ABS and brake lights come on, the brake deactivation switch is bad and has caused brake fluid to leak and the switch, the A/C has stopped working as well as the odometer and speedometer.

Filed Apr 21, 2009 · Electrical · 47,435 miles · CA

On my 2001 ford windstar I noticed all at once my ABS, brake, and o/d lights are on along with my odometer has no numbers in it just ------ dashes, and my speedometer stopped working, it is stuck on 0 miles/hour...

Filed Apr 21, 2009 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · TX

2001 ford windstar speedometer/odometer went out while driving. Fuse 10 was blown. Have replaced the brake pressure switch once and the fuse several times. Fuse is still blowing out.

Filed Apr 19, 2009 · Electrical · 158,000 miles · VA · fire

Fire - speed control pressure switch the ABS and emergency brake indicators have been illuminating on the dash off and on, but no problems have been found with either system. Yesterday, while driving less than a mile, I was stopped by a neighbor who had noticed smoke coming from underneath my hood. The lights were not on at that time. When we opened the hood, a small fire had started but extinguished itself rather quickly, resulting in the scps completely separating from the brake fluid reservoir. The car has not been repaired as of yet, as the part is a special order item. The car has not been driven since the incident.

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