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Ford WindstarIntroduced in the mid-1990s, the front-wheel-drive Ford Windstar minivan campaigned with an emphasis on, and reputation for, safety. And in the hotly contested family minivan market of the time, that was an especially solid piece of ground to be on. As long as buyers didn't need to haul adults in back on a regular basis, the Windstar served a family's needs just fine.
being a novice i dont feel stupid asking this question even though i fear i know the answer.
I have had a minor leak of some fluid last couple days. Then i get to work today and i see a trail behind me... go look under the car, large pool of red fluid. I opened the hood, and smoke was rising from back of engine..not lots but definitely smoking. seems that there was leaking from on top of engine.. which is why i ask if it could be power steering. But the kicker after reading the posts, the O/D has flashed a couple time the past two days,, and from what i read the means transmision. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. thanks dodger
Obviously a leak.
If its power steering, when you are sitting still and with engine running , ... crank wheel from lock to lock and you should have a puddle underneath.. IF there is fluid in pump..still...Pull the old cap and check it...
The tranny fluid is easy to check too. Use the dipstick..
Possibly a hole rubbed thru a fluid line? metal or rubber.. check em.
Quit driving too, before it becomes a car-B-que
Well I dont know what year windstar you have but on newer models windstar i believe 98 to 2003 transmission fluid goes into the power steering so you use red transmission fluid (mercon v) in both the transmission and power steering. I would check the power steering fluid level to see what it is at the van does not need to be running to check this. Then check the tranmission fluid with the van heated up and in PARK. The level should be to the very top of the hash marks or even higher. Since you had a blinking OD light I suspect your transmission fluid is leaking.
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power steering or transmission fluid? 
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