2001 Windstar coil pack

wikkedGTS · 04-16-2008, 04:23 AM

Well I have an '01 windstar and I have replaced the coil pack twice in a year. Is this a common thing to go wrong with them or is there a re-call on this things. It's getting kinda expensive and that's replacing it myself. Has anyone else have to replace it more than once in a short period of time? thanks

ktw1961 · 04-16-2008, 05:00 AM

Knock on wood... I purchased my '01 ~ a year ago and haven't had any trouble with coil pack. I'm more worried about the transmission horror stories! I do have a shack/vibration that starts at 70mph. Everything is smooth as silk, until 70 and increasing speed doesn't go away. New BFG's, balanced three times. Anyone have any idea's?

GraybeardAv · 04-16-2008, 05:13 AM

Can't help with the coil pack, except to be sure sparkplug gap isn't too wide. It takes more voltage to jump a wider gap, and that overheats the coil. I learned that many years ago on very expensive magneto coils. Also, be sure the boots are all the way down onto the plugs so there is no gap there.

I've never had good luck with BFG tires that came on used cars I've bought, and never a bad Michelin. Your tires maybe have defects and going out of round at speed. Be careful, ya' hear?

As for trannies, I'm shopping for another Windstar right now, and prefer one with a recent tranny rebuild. There was an '00 with 90K miles for sale here: bad tranny. It happens at as little as 70K. It was replaced on my recent '99 at 130K miles, and went bad on my '02 at 140K. It feels like it's a matter of when, not if.

GB

ktw1961 · 04-16-2008, 06:01 AM

Thanks GB... Like I said, I bought about a year ago. In the sales agreement, new tires would be put on the van. The dealer put on some cheap Cooper knock offs that shook like heck! Discount took them back and charged me $84 difference on the BGF's. Was quite an improvement, but not 100%. I don't think it's tires. The shake/vibration is in the seat of your (my) britches, not the steering wheel and the whole darn shakes. Other than that one problem I like the van. Took my daughters to Chicago last weekend in total comfort!

KW

phantom_smack · 04-16-2008, 06:48 AM

Are you using a ford coil and motorcraft plugs?

mark v · 04-16-2008, 08:31 AM

You possibly have bad wires and or plugs. The coil pack may be running hot and burning out to compensate for the weak parts.

How and where does the pack mount, got a picture?

firstwindstar02 · 04-16-2008, 08:57 AM

That shudder sounds dangerous. I would check all your mounts, subframe bolts' torque, and your exhaust.

Check your tranny fluid make sure it isn't burnt or blackish. However I don't think it's your transmission cause at 70 your in overdrive...and I"m pretty sure the OverDrive light would blink if you had a problem with that..(don't quote me on that)

vindctar · 04-16-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktw1961

Thanks GB... Like I said, I bought about a year ago. In the sales agreement, new tires would be put on the van. The dealer put on some cheap Cooper knock offs that shook like heck! Discount took them back and charged me $84 difference on the BGF's. Was quite an improvement, but not 100%. I don't think it's tires. The shake/vibration is in the seat of your (my) britches, not the steering wheel and the whole darn shakes. Other than that one problem I like the van. Took my daughters to Chicago last weekend in total comfort!

KW

I had a high-speed vibration (steering-wheel mainly) problem. The Ford dealer replaced the tie-rods, which mitigated the issue somewhat...then they balanced the tires and sent me off. I then had the tires re-balanced at a shop and the probelm was cured. The whole-car shudder also happens if the porcelain part of spark plug is cracked while tightening the plugs....happened to me once when I flexed my biceps on one plug.

wikkedGTS · 04-16-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom_smack

Are you using a ford coil and motorcraft plugs?

Tune up was done at dealer so I would imagine everything is OEM. Then again the gap might be an issue. I'll check this coil since the last one blew #5 then maybe I'll check the plug. Thanks though

wikkedGTS · 04-16-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktw1961

Knock on wood... I purchased my '01 ~ a year ago and haven't had any trouble with coil pack. I'm more worried about the transmission horror stories! I do have a shack/vibration that starts at 70mph. Everything is smooth as silk, until 70 and increasing speed doesn't go away. New BFG's, balanced three times. Anyone have any idea's?

Yes it's true have someone check your tie rod ends inner and outer plus your suspenssion has a lot to do with vibrations as well. Good luck