1998 Windstar Electrical shutdown in rain

We just bought a 1998 Windstar with 148,000 original miles. It ran great, no problems , until it started raining. We were coming home and the ABS, BRAKE, and AIRBAG READY lights came on. The windshield wipers slowed almost to a stop and the speedometer quit working. Also the engine began lossing power and almost shutdown. When we got home it would not even turn over. It seems that something must have gotten wet to cause all these visibly unrelated problems. As I said in dry weather everything worked and it ran great. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

We just bought a 1998 Windstar with 148,000 original miles. It ran great, no problems , until it started raining. We were coming home and the ABS, BRAKE, and AIRBAG READY lights came on. The windshield wipers slowed almost to a stop and the speedometer quit working. Also the engine began lossing power and almost shutdown. When we got home it would not even turn over. It seems that something must have gotten wet to cause all these visibly unrelated problems. As I said in dry weather everything worked and it ran great. Any suggestion would be appreciated.


I have the same problem on my 96 windstar. Once in a while if I go through high enough water on road while in a turn the engine will engine acts like it will die, but does not go all the way off. I hope someone repleys to this.

Same sort of thing here, except it's in the cold (and being in Maine - that's half the year!) and I've noticed it's the wipers, dome light and rear defrost that aren't functioning. About a month ago the ABS and E Brake light would come on occaciosally for no apparant reason - Anyone have any thoughts? I just can't afford a mechanic on this... Thanks in advance, Heather in Maine 11/2006