Ford Winstar Problems 99

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- matrixoregon
  
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posted
16 years ago

Fri, May 18, 2007 7:28 AM

hi There,

my van has developed a problem.

Tried to start it tonight and noticed that the dashboard lights were out, van started, could not get dash lights on, so turned van off.... then the van would not start.

Also noticed this

1) headlights are on even with key removed 2) radio is on with key removed 3) air con works with key removedx 4) windows work with key removed.

Van wont start, cant turn the head lights off, and there is no display on dash, only thing lit up is the seatbelt thing.

anyone got any ideas on whats wrong with this, Im desperate to get it fixed.

thanks

Jay

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- Erik
  
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posted
16 years ago

Fri, May 18, 2007 9:08 AM

Bad ignition switch maybe? There are other possibilities as well. Be careful, this one has potential to be hazardous.

Right now, by whatever means necessary, move the van to where it won't be an issue should it burn. Get anything of value out of it (including vehicle documentation) till you find and correct what's wrong.

Disconnecting/reconnecting the battery in this state is a dangerous act at best. Doing so under electrical load is never a good idea, but in this case you likely won't have a choice. If your not sure of how to identify and deal with the hazards involved here, give the job to someone who does.

Good luck! Let us know how it comes out.

Erik

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- Max Power
  
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posted
16 years ago

Fri, May 18, 2007 10:48 AM

recently my battery got low from having the doors open all day while loading it for camping, go to start it and all I got was clicks but the wierd thing was the headlights where stuck on. Gave it a jump and got it started and I was then able to have control of the headlights again.

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- Ted Mittelstaedt
  
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posted
16 years ago

Sat, May 19, 2007 4:57 AM

That isn't true. The simplest way is to just turn on the headlights and wait until the battery is run down. Another way you can do it is to loosen the negative battery cable and slide it up until it's almost off, being careful not to cause sparks, then clamp on to the exposed post with a jumper cable, and clamp the other end of the cable to the body. Remove the negative lead, then disconnect the cable at the body, that way the sparking that will result won't be near the battery.

Ted