'96 Ford Windstar

We just put a different tranmission in our van and the overdrive button stays lighting up it doesnt feel like it shifts to overdrive and the check engine and abs and brake lights are all on all the time. When we put the car in reverse it is fine but when we first pull off to drive it goes thud thud thud and does it for a little bit than stops but we when stop it goes thud thud thud and when we go to take off again it thuds then stops AND when we turn the corner it sounds like whining if anyone can help plz do this car is just stupid.

welcome wildsmiles,

The car ain't stupid. Those lights mean that your brake system has completely failed. Don't drive it. Who installed the transmission? If the lights weren't on before the trans job, then job hasn't been done properly. Don't pay the guy till those lights are out.

Karl

My stepdad is the one that put in the transmission and last night we noticed that only the overdrive button was flashing and the brake all the others were off and no one has messed with it but you are probally right about it not being installed properly it took him forever to get it in and then like he stayed at the place we had it at and finished it up in like 16 hrs straight with no sleep but thanx I will make sure my mom sees this because it is her van

Oh yea and the reason we let him put that transmission in was because he has been a mechanic in this area for like 27 years

Gotcha.

Like this is goodwill done by your dad, on your moms car.

Like your dad busted his butt to "quickly" do this "chore/favor" for "you/your mom" and the car is still "f***ed up" but for a different reason.

Kid . . .

1. If you include the word "like" again in the wrong context. We're "GONE!"

2. Go to an automotive store, buy a manual for this van. (Chiltons, Haynes, Original Shop Manuals on Ebay, etc)

3. Read all that pertains to you're problem with (Study) this van.

4. THEN!! post your questions here.

5. "Like" is OK, it's just that it's a waste of keystrokes and breath for that matter. "eh?"

Karl.

Karl.

Oh sorry, stepdad. (yea,)

This transmission swap is still a large undertaking.

A formal "thank you!" is in order here, after which you should ask the perpetraitor what to do to fix those idiot lights.

Karl

Hey man you didnt have to be rude about me saying "like" and I am not a young kid I will have my own vehicle in less than a month I am just trying to help my mom out and fix her van so that it will be one less problem we have around here Thank you for all your input on the van

A flashing O/D light is an indication that the transmission electronics are reporting an error.
There should be transmission error codes stored....I will be honest.....I do not know if they come up through the OBDII port.....or what is involved in reading them. When I had transmission issues....I had the diagnostics done for me at the dealer.

There are a number of wire harnesses around the transmission.....so I would check to make sure that all is plugged in....and that no wires got torn or pinched during the repair process.

The brake master cylinder is just over the transmission.....so verify that the wires to it are not pulled or damaged. There is a pressure switch on the bottom of the master cylinder....which is a high failure item. The main symptom is that the cruise control does not work. If the brake fluid is even very slightly low.....on my '96....both the Brake and ABS lights will come on.

The transmission range switch is on top of the transmission. The shift linkage connects to it....and it has a wire harness that connects to it.
The TRS is also a high failure item....double check the electrical connector.

I know that these sound like obvious items....
But...I would check these out before anything major. The wiring is very easy to damage...no matter how careful one is ....as it hangs down in the way....and has a tendancy to flop back down....right in your way while working... Also....we can hope that the solution is simple and easy....as well as cheap.

I am no expert on transmissions.
I did have mine replaced at about 100K miles.
The replacement unit is still going strong at 154K miles.
I did install an auxillary transmission cooler.

I have some pictures of a number of little repair projects on my '96 3.8L.
They may be of help to you for some of the other projects that come up in keeping a car in good shape....

http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK

Thank You for your help but we found someone who can fix it and do it right in about three hours so hopefully we can get the money up to do that Thanks again for your help