Great Video, Replaced a wiper motor on a 99 Windstar. Had a little trouble getting windshield wipers into correct position. You have to put them on semi loose, moisten windshield, turn the wipers/bug spray on, then keep adjusting wiper blade until it’s in the right position.
Now is a good time to check that brake fluid and such too. I don't know about the older design of this minivan but the newer ones you must, I repeat must swal up this chunk of plastic or your going to have things like wet pcm and coils and that's very expensive. I have an '06 Freestar and a few years back I took this stuff apart, replaced the plugs, topped off brake fluid. I hjad nothing but problems after. I had to dry out my PCM, thus I just replaced it along with the coils and changed out seals, and sealed up various holes in the mounting area. I also used tin foil over the harness and coil areas just in case of a seal failure.. But this is critical. If not done properly you could be out stranded in a rain storm facing thousands of dollars in repair costs. Really dumb design. Even my penny pinching Dodge grand caravan is built better.
Next time, bring it to the mechanic. They can lift it up and the rear spark plugs are easy to put in. I do the front and the rear, I bring to my mechanic.
Nah, you can do it without all this business, (I have) it just means reaching waaay down in there, and feeling your way around. Hope your arms aren't too short or too thick! That said, I've just removed the cowl on mine, more or less by these instructions, (just to find the third o2 sensor), and it really wasn't too bad. (hope I can get it put back together) This may well be an easier way to change plugs, plug wires, and anything else you find back there. I suggest doing it all now, so you won't have to go through this again later. And... now that I can actually see it; my o2 sensor seems quite reachable from the bottom. Ah well...
I drive my Windstar up on ramps and do the rear plugs from below. I can have the entire plug/wire change finished in less time than it takes to remove the cowl. My driveway has a slope, so a creeper is out of the question. However, I use an exercise mat on the concrete. It makes it much easier on the shoulders.
theres the cabin air filter spot there, and i have a 99 windstar and im wondering what is the hose/hole right beside the cab air intake there? im wondering if i should be worried about a mouse running down there, cause i saw one disapper there this morning while serviceing it a little. (its a project van atm)
anbublackops657 I have no heat in my 2001. The blend door actuator works fine. When I switch from cool to heat, the volume of air decreases and leads me to believe that the tube to the left is the heater air intake, which as you pointed out, is open to mouse access. I think I may have a nest in mine. Have you find anything out yet?
@mrjost55 think that's bad, try a transversely mounted v8! My 93 cadi, you can't even get to the back side of the engine at all. You have to get the back side spark plugs from under the engine.
Anyone Help me? I have a 2002 Bonneville with a broken cowl. What is the full name of the part for its location.It is in the same location as in this video.The person wants to which cowl I am referring to on the car.
The people that design this shit need to be kicked in the nuts one time for each minute it takes to do this "simple" job. It always pisses me off how any of these routine maintenance procedures are designed to make it as difficult as possible to increase sales to their "certified" mechanics because of just how much time and effort it takes to do them. Most people don't want to do crap and just spend the $200 or so dollars to have someone else do it.
@mrjost55 Yeah, I've also got an 1985 winnebago class "c" (van cab over style), with a 350 in it. lol, i guess i know how to pick em' for "pain in the ass" to work on!
This video relates to 1995 to 1998 Windstars. The 1999 to 2003 Windstars have a slightly different cowl
Very helpful sir. Thank you 😊
Great Video, Replaced a wiper motor on a 99 Windstar. Had a little trouble getting windshield wipers into correct position. You have to put them on semi loose, moisten windshield, turn the wipers/bug spray on, then keep adjusting wiper blade until it’s in the right position.
Is there a video to replace the wiper transmission on the windstar?
a battery terminal puller works great for removing wiper arms
Thank you for this upload. Also, I agree with everyone, this is ridiculous.
To change the spark plug wires you're supposed to go underneath the vehicle and to get to the coil pack you remove part of the air filter tube. Simple
That thing is bolted down better than the body is.
Now is a good time to check that brake fluid and such too. I don't know about the older design of this minivan but the newer ones you must, I repeat must swal up this chunk of plastic or your going to have things like wet pcm and coils and that's very expensive. I have an '06 Freestar and a few years back I took this stuff apart, replaced the plugs, topped off brake fluid. I hjad nothing but problems after. I had to dry out my PCM, thus I just replaced it along with the coils and changed out seals, and sealed up various holes in the mounting area. I also used tin foil over the harness and coil areas just in case of a seal failure.. But this is critical. If not done properly you could be out stranded in a rain storm facing thousands of dollars in repair costs. Really dumb design. Even my penny pinching Dodge grand caravan is built better.
Thank you I was able to reattach the vacuum hose for the a/c .
To remove wiper arms use the gizmo used to pull battery terminals off :)
Why are 3,143,875 bolts needed to secure a cowl?
a simple spark plug wire and I have to take half the dam car apart!
Next time, bring it to the mechanic. They can lift it up and the rear spark plugs are easy to put in. I do the front and the rear, I bring to my mechanic.
Nah, you can do it without all this business, (I have) it just means reaching waaay down in there, and feeling your way around. Hope your arms aren't too short or too thick! That said, I've just removed the cowl on mine, more or less by these instructions, (just to find the third o2 sensor), and it really wasn't too bad. (hope I can get it put back together) This may well be an easier way to change plugs, plug wires, and anything else you find back there. I suggest doing it all now, so you won't have to go through this again later. And... now that I can actually see it; my o2 sensor seems quite reachable from the bottom. Ah well...
I drive my Windstar up on ramps and do the rear plugs from below. I can have the entire plug/wire change finished in less time than it takes to remove the cowl. My driveway has a slope, so a creeper is out of the question. However, I use an exercise mat on the concrete. It makes it much easier on the shoulders.
I dont think they want the thing to come off ever
Will this give access to the high pressure power steering line on the rack i know on the 99 an up you can get at it by removing the cowel
Remember the Ford commercial "Ford has a better idea"....lol ! some design engineering group.
just wanted to say thank you. you saved me soooo much time.
how do you release the clips on the back side of the cowl near the windshield?
theres the cabin air filter spot there, and i have a 99 windstar and im wondering what is the hose/hole right beside the cab air intake there? im wondering if i should be worried about a mouse running down there, cause i saw one disapper there this morning while serviceing it a little. (its a project van atm)
anbublackops657 I have no heat in my 2001. The blend door actuator works fine. When I switch from cool to heat, the volume of air decreases and leads me to believe that the tube to the left is the heater air intake, which as you pointed out, is open to mouse access. I think I may have a nest in mine. Have you find anything out yet?
@mrjost55 think that's bad, try a transversely mounted v8! My 93 cadi, you can't even get to the back side of the engine at all. You have to get the back side spark plugs from under the engine.
@batbawls Simple. So Ford can add about $5,000 to the price of the van.
Thank you made it simple and easy job!\
Hi, I urgently need a wiper cowl for a 2002 Ford windstar. Any help? Thanks
go to the junk car, there are so many. Pick n pull has 5 in sherwood oregon
@@luciab.pajuelo2382 wow I need one too and I am only a mile from that pick and pull.. methinks I am in for a visit :-)
WOOOW. I have to do all of THAT just to change my wife's brake fluid????? "Honey, the brake fluid's fine" :-)
Anyone Help me? I have a 2002 Bonneville with a broken cowl. What is the full name of the part for its location.It is in the same location as in this video.The person wants to which cowl I am referring to on the car.
@studpuppy69 lol Rain X is not gonna save you when you're parked
@salemcripple I can only imagine lol. I think the worst is probably V8 vans.
Find a Ford engineer/designer, and give him a smack in the mouth. :)
The people that design this shit need to be kicked in the nuts one time for each minute it takes to do this "simple" job. It always pisses me off how any of these routine maintenance procedures are designed to make it as difficult as possible to increase sales to their "certified" mechanics because of just how much time and effort it takes to do them. Most people don't want to do crap and just spend the $200 or so dollars to have someone else do it.
What a pain in the ass just to get to the coil-pack
Ummm OMG-- Damn it Ford why!!
Good god almighty
@mrjost55 Yeah, I've also got an 1985 winnebago class "c" (van cab over style), with a 350 in it. lol, i guess i know how to pick em' for "pain in the ass" to work on!
@mrjost55 I'd just take the cowl off and put Rain X on the window.
this is why transversely mounted V6's suck