Questions and Answers

Windstar Getting Warm Q. Dear Vincent, I came across your auto repair site on About.com and was hoping you could offer some advice to me on my 1995 Ford Windstar. The problems on the mini van stem from work performed by my local dealer a couple of years ago on a recall job.

Following the work I have noticed the temperature gauge has been reading high in hot weather driving. Prior to the work the gauge would read in the center, where I would expect it. However, it has progressively gotten worse and now reads up to the O and sometimes the N on NORMAL (which is printed on the temperature gauge). I did ask the dealer about the problem and they told me it was normal for the gauge to read as it is. It never read that high prior to the recall work.

Also, my AM radio reception has deteriorated following the work. I manage an AM station and listen to a good deal of AM programming and am sensitive to the loss of reception. Interestingly enough, when the engine is not running and the ignition is in the auxiliary position the reception if fine. I am wondering if the wiring replacement on the recall could have affected the AM reception (FM does not seem to be affected).

To further complicate the matter, the radio has now stopped playing. I attempted to replace the cassette/radio deck with a new Jensen player from WalMart. The connections did not match so I purchased a modification kit. The kit said it would work on a 1995 Windstar. Attempting to hook the new set to the car was futile. Only one of the connections would match.

A friend of mine attempted to offer assistance and discovered that the VIN # on the Windstar is a 1994 #. Windstar did not begin until the 1995 model year. Is it possible that I have an early model that was produced with different parts from the 1995 and might explain some of the problems I have experience, including the radio puzzle?

I will appreciate any advice you can offer.

Sincerely,
Michael

A. It would have helped if I knew which recall it was in for. There were seven recalls on that vehicle that I can remember off hand. Anyway, looking at the ones I have here, I don't see anything that would affect the engine operating temperature. I would try replacing the thermostat and see if that helps.

The AM radio static was a problem with that van. There were a couple of TSBs put out by Ford on how to eliminate it. TSB number 97-9-18 dated 04/28/97 called for a new radio in Windstars built before 5/1/96.

If the 10th digit of the VIN is "S", it is a 1995. If it is "R" it is a 1994. It is possible for it to be an early production 1995, but it would still be a 1995. Looking at the emission label under the hood will tell you what year it is as well.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA