2002 Ford Windstar: multiple warning lights

Filed Nov 29, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · SC

The gauges are acting crazy which causes the engine to jerk or the transmission and then it starts making the lights flicker in the interior and the gauges start sticking. It seems to make the overflow on the radiator to empty more because it is causing the sensors in the electrical for the parts to go crazy and run hot. Sometimes it only does it every so often but after getting the reserve hose on the power steering that connects to the reservoir to the coolant the battery was drained. Then going after getting it charged down the highway it caused the interior lights radio and seat and turn signals not to work when coming to a complete stop and it was idling the dashboard and all the lights were coming back on once given a guess it winded up not working again causing the battery to become hot or warm and acid you can smell in the air like rotten eggs. It is causing the overflow tank of the radiator to evaporate more or come out quicker and it is causing other component parts to react strangely which I'm afraid will cause a fire in the vehicle and the idling is not correct also on it now

Filed Aug 23, 2014 · Brakes · 138,600 miles · CA

I found seat latches had a recall plus needing a jumper wire installed in a recall so I made apointment at sunland ford in victorville ca 92392 not even one block from leaving the dealer all dash lights came on and after a few miles after exiting the freeway I pulled over and turned off the engine restarted it the lights went out but after a few miles ABS and trac light went back on and stayed on now I noticed my door lights dont work know what could they have done ?? [it's not a blown fuse I checked] I called them the nekt morning and they told me to pay them $105.00 and they will check it and tell me how much to fix it seems strange it was not doing this before I took it to them is it revenge for doing the recall???

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Brakes · 150,000 miles · PA

Loved my windstar then all of a sudden my dashboard lit up like a christmas tree. Odd thing is that it is july? First fuse #10 blew, we replaced it n it blew again. After about 6 fuses we just dealt with it. Chalked it up to it being a 2002. Then the brake light started coming on and off randomly. Odd because there is no rhyme or reason to this. It can be on, I can shut my van off to get lunch and boom its off when I come back out. Again I chalked it up to being a 2002. The final straw is this ABS light. It is on, it is off, it is on, it is still on. I swear this van is possessed and I do not even believe in that stuff. Oh and "traction control" is showing up on my dashboard. Go figure! I had the 2009 recall #09s09 completed immediately in 2009. However I am still having issues. I have had 3 very good mechanics look at this issue and they say my van is fine. I myself am not very mechanically inclined however I know when something does not make sense and this my friend does not make sense. I repeatedly told my mechanic that this was an electrical problem to which of course he laughed. However after a little yahoo and google he now agrees also. I have never heard of this website until 2 days ago in my research of this issue. Hoping that your investigation will make ford do something about this sometime soon? It is costly and beyond frustrating. I can only pray it does not lead to brake problems seeing as though I have children in the van the majority of the time.

Filed May 30, 2014 · Brakes · NM

Abs brake light comes on, cruise control will stop working or will not work at all and speedometer/odometer electrical problems (speedometer will at times jump up or down when showing speed (MPH) at times all the warning lights in the instrument panel will come on and off. Right now I have the yellow ABS light on, also the red brake light is on. In a few days they may turn off, only to turn back on a few days later. I an very concerned about the ABS light, with the light on, does the ABS system still work? I bought this windstar new in nov. 2002. Brakes have be replaced and or checked and it keeps doing the above. Note: vehicle has 66,000+ miles.

Filed Feb 11, 2013 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · NH

My 2002 ford windstar has had many parts tested. They all seem to test good. Battery , alternator to name a few. When driving the van hazards come on ( without turning them on ) the radio shuts off, the heat turns off and power is lost as if it's the alternator. Abs lights come on and then the dash panel lights up like a christmas tree.. Oh then the vehicle dies and won't start , clicks like it's the alternator or battery but they test fine.. After searching many blogs this seems to be a big issue with many mechanics that don't know what it is.. This needs to be fixed it's a pain and thank god for aaa but really should I have to use my aaa all the time/ this particular vehicle spent 6 months in the ford garage in 2010. Now what when you buy something you think it will be good for you and your family and that you can use it as a primary car. We have lost days from work, money and money for trying different parts now what???

Filed Oct 25, 2011 · Acceleration · 190,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated as the vehicle was started all of the warning lights began to illuminate, including the ABS switch light. The engine also began to function rough and brake fluid was leaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated they had to repair the electric switch on the bottom of the reservoir at the owners expense. The failure is the same as recall 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2011 · Acceleration · 137,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH the brake light began to illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact added brake fluid and after restarting the vehicle all of the warning lights on the instrument panel began to illuminate. A certified mechanic from an authorized dealer examined the vehicle and informed that contact that fluid was leaking from the vehicle speed sensor and spilling onto the wiring harness. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where it was repaired under the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer refused to repair the failure associated with the wiring harness and gauges on the instrument panel, which were caused by the speed sensor leak. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

Filed Jun 16, 2011 · Driver assistance · 90,000 miles · IL

Check traction control appears on the digital readout. The ABS, brake and trac off warning lights come on at the same time. Turning off vehicle resets all the warning lights temporarily. More frequent during warm weather, but occurs year round. Very concerning to me as ABS and traction control are disabled when lights come on.

Filed Aug 29, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 84,000 miles · WI · fire

The morning of july 11, 2010, the ABS control module on our 2002 windstar suffered an internal fire due to brake fluid leaked from the bad switch, resulting in a loss of proper brake function and no readings from the speedometer, tachometer, and odometer (as well as multiple warning lights). This occurred several weeks after having had the brake pressure deactivation switch recall performed (the federal safety agency campaign id 09v399000, action number ea08021). The local ford dealership which had performed the initial recall work refused to repair or replace the module under the recall or as a warranty claim, stating that it was not part of the recall, nor was it apparently damaged at the time of the brake switch repair. I subsequently removed, opened and examined the control module (8/28/2010), and found blackened brake fluid present inside the module at the connector pins. I also found evidence of significant burning around the pins at the connections to the printed circuit board. This evidence included the blackened fluid, severe discoloration, and lifted traces, all of which are clearly apparent in photos of the module interior. Luckily, it appears that an internal trace burned through and interrupted the fault current prior to the failure becoming a runaway fire event. At this time the vehicle has not been repaired, and is sitting idle. I have kept the failed control module for examination as necessary.

Filed Jun 11, 2008 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · MN

All lights on dashboard were lit-ABS,emergency brake, o/d, speedo and mileage counter could not be read as I was driving home on the freeway. Auto repair person indicated that there could have been a fire. My ABS module melted onto the control panel (not sure of part name) which caused damage to both. Currently being repaired.

Filed Nov 21, 2004 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · OH

Electrical problems with 2002 ford windstar. Back window on passenger side does not work sometimes. All the warning lights on the dash will start going on and off by themselves at no specific time. When turning on the turn signal they will go on off frequently. While driving down the road and this happens van has shut off twice. Power locks sometimes will not work. Interior lights sometimes will not work. All this began to happen when van reached 30,000 miles and warranty ran out. The dealer has not been co-operative because we chose to take our van elsewhere for regular scheduled maintence. Dealer also told me that ford would not help because I didn't honor them with my maintence. I am really frustated. My husband is an electrian and also owned his own auto shop for years. He say's this electrical problem is impossible to trace. Is it going to take someone getting seriously enjured or loss of life for ford to realize that there is a definate electrical problem in my van. I know other people who have the same problem and can't get any where with ford.