200 windstar weird elctrical stuff

sam-d · 03-15-2008, 09:44 AM

While driving, the abs and traction control lights came on. Then all the dash lights started to flicker on and off. The odometer and the messege center went off. When I got home, i turd the car, and tried to restart it. It made that cliclikng noise like the battery was bad (just replaced it in October). I cleaned off the positive post, and let it sit. This morning, it started fine. About a 1/2 mile down the road, the symptoms started again. I got home, and the same thing happened with clicking noises. All of the gauges went wacky (speedo, tach, oil needles went sweeping back and forth).

Does anyone have a clue?

Thanks

phantom_smack · 03-15-2008, 10:38 AM

Need to check both termnals on the battery.Those cheap battery terminal ends cause more trouble then they are worth.

sam-d · 03-15-2008, 02:13 PM

I checked the battery terminals and they looked okay. i just tried to get it started and, of course, it didn't start. It still had that same clicking noise. When I shut the ingition off, all of the lights inside started flashing, then, when I got out the headlights started flashing, at about the same rate as the turn signals would, if they were on.

I have no clue.

mark v · 03-15-2008, 03:19 PM

Is the battery charged? Sounds like a dead battery, does the engine crank over?

sam-d · 03-15-2008, 10:45 PM

The battery is only 5 months old. I do think the battery is being stressed, (I think there is a short, somewhere). Once I get the car started, it runs okay, except for the abs and tractiona control lights coming on, and the rest of the dash going out.

I just don't have a clue with these new cars. It used to be as simple as were you getting spark, and were you getting fuel, and there were only 8 -10 fuses.

I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings.