OT 2003 Ford Windstar trans problem

Keith Molden · Nov 28, 2014

Daughter has an 03 (maybe a 2002) Ford Windstar van that's really been a good vehicle. This morning she got in, started it to go to work and had no transmission response in any gear. It has never had a problem before. The fluid is clean and full. The linkage cable is OK. I kinda believe it's the torque converter. Seems like I've heard in the past that there was a problem with them. Anybody got any ideas? Keith

cole in mo. · Nov 28, 2014

The've got elec selonids in valve body, could be one of them too.

robgIN · Nov 28, 2014

the torque converters strip out in those , not uncommon , especially with high miles.

rrc300 u · Nov 28, 2014

My wife had one of those same vans was a nice vehicle till it did the same thing. Was driving along dropped off the kids then couldn't move out of her mothers drive way. Get it rolling and trade it off. Didn't get much trade but no 1500$ to fix an old van either.

Gambles · Nov 28, 2014

I'm a Ford man through-and-through, but I'll be the first to admit that the Windstar has a very bad tranny reputation. My advice: Get rid of it.

T in NE · Nov 28, 2014

Boss' wife's had 2 of them, got them around 200K, put a transmission in, and run them into the ground.
Donate what's left to one of the charities that advertises on the radio. One phone call, leave title on seat, done.

ShadetreeRet · Nov 29, 2014

cole is right, most automatic transmissions since the late eighties are controlled by the computer rather than fluid pressure. A diagnostic check should help, and many solenoids are not that difficult to replace. My daughter and I replaced the torque converter lockup solenoid for her Mustang in the back yard. Might be worth checking into.

Keith Molden · Nov 29, 2014

Thanks guys for all the info. She's driving our spare jeep for now, I'll wait till I get the shop empty and see if it's a sensor. If not--I'll fill it full of scrap and haul it. LOL> Keith

merlynr · Nov 29, 2014

Aerostar, now that was a good van and rwd or awd. I had two and son had two.

magpiene · Nov 29, 2014

robgIN May well e correct. MIL,s van had the torque converter strip out. Check with Ford. It may be covered by warrenty, hers was

Hobo,NC · Nov 29, 2014

(quoted from post at 04:33:18 11/29/14) Daughter has an 03 (maybe a 2002) Ford Windstar van that's really been a good vehicle. This morning she got in, started it to go to work and had no transmission response in any gear. It has never had a problem before. The fluid is clean and full. The linkage cable is OK. I kinda believe it's the torque converter. Seems like I've heard in the past that there was a problem with them. Anybody got any ideas? Keith

Remove a cooler line and check for fluid flow in gear... Yours is a pattern failure for a stripped converter pump drive hub... I did one a few weeks ago once you figger out how to support the engine and get the cradle out its not a bad job for a shop that's tooled up for the job... I have never seen this issue if it is a stripped converter take out the input shaft. Replace converter, front seal fluid and filter and bless it....

It may have other issues but even if you unplug every electric connector to the trans it should at the least move forward and backerds...

Transmission issues have sent a many Ford to the sausage grinder :lol:

hd6gtom · Nov 29, 2014

When we get 1 in trade with that problem It goes to the scrap man. boss says they are not worth the price to fix it.

farmboy48 · Nov 29, 2014

had a '98 with 80 k on it when transmission went out, repaired for $1500 or so back in '07, traded for Mercury Mountaineer, still have a '98 windstar with 190k on it, and never been touched, probably shouldn't have said that, now it will die tomorrow.

Sprint 6 · Nov 29, 2014

You might want to check replacement cost before you scrap it. $1500 won't buy much of a vehicle now, much less anything remotely dependable. I would recommend fixing, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't.

OT 2003 Ford Windstar trans problem

Keith Molden

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cole in mo.

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robgIN

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rrc300 u

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Gambles

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T in NE

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ShadetreeRet

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Keith Molden

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merlynr

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magpiene

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Hobo,NC

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hd6gtom

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farmboy48

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Sprint 6

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