A/C, Odometer, Speedometer not Working, O/D Light Flashing

I have a 2001 Windstar. Yesterday, the A/C started blowing hot, the O/D Light began to flash, the odometer quit working and then the speedometer quit working, all in that order. The A/C has freon and and fuses are all good. Any ideas what the problem is?

I am thinking that the O/D flashing is indicating that a TRANSMISSION code reading (at a shop) will give you a code(s) that will help you get to the root of the problem.
You can try the generic OBDII code reading to see if you get lucky and there are any codes there.
The flashing O/D light indicates that transmission codes have been stored, which require a different type of code reader.
A dealership or well equiped shop will have the code reader to read these codes.
The Speedometer and Odometer both run off of the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) so the symptoms are pointing that way.
There are conditions, such as Wide Open Throttle (WOT), that when seen by the PCM, the A/C compressor is prevented from coming on.
However, all these things should cause a code or codes to be stored in either the PCM or Transmission code portion of memory.

I have a 2001 Windstar. Yesterday, the A/C started blowing hot, the O/D Light began to flash, the odometer quit working and then the speedometer quit working, all in that order. The A/C has freon and and fuses are all good. Any ideas what the problem is?
If the Speedo stop working that could be your VSS sensor.. Also seems like i have heard if The ECU picks up a high temp it will shut the AC off auto.. Not sure on that one.. So not sure if the trans issue is shutting off the AC but it could be possible.

That sounds kinda like what happen to mine. I have a digatal dash and one day the dash lights quit working, next the cruise control quit. Now many days later i was out in it and the radio and dome lights quit. I lost alot of power trying to get it home. The battery is now dead. Do you think that the alt. being bad could be causing all my problems? I have checked all the fuses and they are fine. Help Please:banghead:

Still working on it. I found the following on another forum:

"when the master cylynder leaks as it ages it short out the "brake pressure swith" which i believe it is located on the power brake booster

The master brake cylinder has a small leak that over time corrupted the brake pressure switch that sits right below the brake master cylinder. We replaced this part with the redesigned switch (SW-6351 XW7Z-9F924-BA Brake Repair Kit) and so far the fuse has not blown. This part cost about $25.00 through the Ford dealer" (fuse #10)

I replaced the part - took about 15 minutes - but no luck. I'm going to try the vehicle speed sensor next.

Had the exact same thing happen to my 2003 twice, so I'm pretty familiiar. Must tell you, I was mad as hell, as I had just bought the van a few days earlier from a reputable used car dealer. (see my previous posting http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=734702&highlight=orkel)
First time it happened, they replaced the battery. Worked fine for a day or so.
Second time I lost so much power I was not able to make it home.
Anyway, turned out to be the alternator as well. Since that was replaced, I've had no more problems.

In my case Badams58, in addition to all your symptoms, I also had the whole instrument panel go dead. Funny thing though, the red no charge warning lamp never came on, and the radio and interior lights also stopped working.

Not saying this is your problem, but maybe you might want to check the alternator and battery out thourghly. In my case, the alternator was working, but just not as it should, especially under a heavy load, and battery had a couple suspect bad cells.

Keep us informed if you get this solved. Eletrical problems are always so difficult to solve at times.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is exactly the answer and fix I needed. The part is the "speed control pressure switch" that attached to the underside of master cylinder. It has been recalled on some models but unfortunately not on mine. That's OK because it was on about $20 from the Ford dealership. When I described my problem to people they thought I was crazy, including mechanics, service managers, and part's store personnel. It is an easy fix but make sure you dry out (shake it out) the plug before reattaching the plug.

The battery is now dead. Do you think that the alt. being bad could be causing all my problems? I have checked all the fuses and they are fine. Help Please:banghead:

transam1989, first thing I would do is take the battery out and have it charged and tested by an autoparts store for free. Depending on the age of the battery, it might need to be replaced as well. I am in agreement with you that a bad alt can create all kinds of electrical problems b/c it is not supplying enough power for them to run. The newer cars these days must have some kind of cutoff switch or some minimum power requirement b/c some of the electricial parts stop working while others still work.

In my case, my alt was bad on my civic and it showed in the sound quality of my radio/speakers and also my cd player was not keeping in memory the last song played. Also, my headlights would brighten up whenever I accelerated. All of these issues cleared up with a new alt.


I have a 2001 Windstar. Yesterday, the A/C started blowing hot, the O/D Light began to flash, the odometer quit working and then the speedometer quit working, all in that order. The A/C has freon and and fuses are all good. Any ideas what the problem is?


badams56, your case looks different b/c of the flashing O/D light. I would go to an autoparts store and read any cel codes if there are any. Otherwise, just replacing parts might not be such a good idea just b/c you might be replacing parts that are functioning properly.

I'd follow up on Wiswind's idea on having a transmission shop look into any codes.

if you had a drippy brake pressure switch the transmission range sensor (TRS aka neutral safety switch) sits below the brake drip. I'd bet some brake fluid has dripped on the TRS which has shorted it out and caused the trs to become faulty thus causing the flashing OD lamp.

Ask me how I know.

Piper

I have a 2001 Windstar. Yesterday, the A/C started blowing hot, the O/D Light began to flash, the odometer quit working and then the speedometer quit working, all in that order. The A/C has freon and and fuses are all good. Any ideas what the problem is?

I had the same problem. I stumbled across this site and it was a great help. I also found this http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/#Problem1 which has pictures and a work around for this problem.
I had a blown #10 fuse. I just unplugged the brake pressure switch on the master cylinder and my speedometer, odometer and a/c came back after I replaced the #10 fuse under the dash. The O/D off stopped flashing too.
I was sceptical about jumping the the plug as suggested on the site I listed above to get the cruise to work but did it anyway and everything is back to normal. Cruise works and cancels as it should, the brake light as well as the ABS light went off. The switch is still unplugged and I cannot tell any difference in the driving.
Thanks to everyone who posted here about this problem, it saved me a lot of money. I will change the switch eventually and try plugging it in. Hopefully the problem is solved.

kidmystery,

that's a great post. thank you for the info. i noticed that on my 2003, the brake switch is the newer design. i know this b/c i bought the new part and it looked identical to the one i had. so maybe they changed it over after getting so many complaints.

but this OP was probably related to the alt unless badams has a busted #10 fuse too. then you might be right.

hi guys.. great site... use it often... i just had this same exact problem with my windstar.. and #10 fuse was the culprit and the brake pressure switch. so going to replace the switch and go from there.. anyway i also filed a complaint on the link so the way i see it if enough people complain maybe ford will issue a recall.... power to the people...

take care
chris

Just had the same exact symptoms. Checked and it was fuse 10. I pulled the plug for the brake pressure sensor and it was full of fluid. Replaced the fuse and everything came back on. Cleaned the plug with carb cleaner and blew it out with compressed air. Reinstalled and fuse held for about 30 seconds and then let go again. Removed the plug and found fluid on it again. Pulled the plug replaced the fuse and it held.

Falure analysis: The faulty sensor leaks into plug wires causing a short to case ground blowing the fuse.

Solution: replace with new switch

ANSWER FOUND!

I had the same exact scenario

No A\C, No Speedometer, odometer read -------, shift interlock did not lock, o/d off light flashing.

The problem was a burned out 15amp. fuse. Drivers side kick panel fuse number 10.