2001 Windstar missing on two cylinders...is it safe to drive?

joyceallen · 10-09-2008, 04:47 PM

Hi...our Ford's been running rough off and on for a while. We've taken it to the Mufflerman a few times where he's checked out the vehicle codes (but after charging us for that, tells us he has to actually look at the vehicle to see exactly what the problem is), and we've changed the spark plugs ourselves. My husband said it ran better after he changed the plugs. This time, the codes tell us # 1 and # 5 is missing (it's running reeeeeeaaaaly rough), among other strange things. Took it back to the mufflerman just to see how much he would charge me to replace the two spark plugs (or we could do it ourselves free!), and he says it won't make any difference. It will still be the same....he says it's a coil (costing around $300-$400). Didn't say what kind of coil...would that be an ignition coil?
Anyway, we're still trying to decide what to do, but wonder if we should be driving it like this at all...will it do any damage? Especially a long trip? We need to go about 135 km round trip this weekend, but can we take the van?

Thanks for any help!

Torch · 10-09-2008, 04:59 PM

Yes he was talking about the Ignition coil... but that may be a stretch.. It could just be the plug wires.

And I would definitely get that fixed before you go on any long road trip... It will greatly improve your MPG. Although it will only do damage to the engine if it is prolonged. I would get it fixed asap... and get a tune-up before you go on a trip, I'm sure it would make it fine but It definitely wont be good for it.

Good luck.

theoldwizard · 10-09-2008, 05:46 PM

First, most large auto parts stores will extract the Diagnostic Trouble Code for free. Of course they want to sell you parts, but you can always double check here. You can buy your own code scanner on eBay for under $50.

Second, misfire (on any cylinder) could be spark plug, spark plug wire, coil/coil pack or injector or a bad vacuum (air) leak.

Third, driving any distance with a bad misfire not only could damage your vehicle, it could result in a fire ! I have seen catalytic converters overheat and start fires.

BroncoJoe19 · 10-09-2008, 06:02 PM

I went to AutoZone.com - Get in the Zone! and found that an ignition coil for my '98 is about $80
It looks like this....

Note that there are six lugs in pairs.
Essentially there are three coils in the coil pack. Any one of them can go bad.
One pair of them supplies your number 1 and number 5 cylinders.
The number one cylinder is the one that is on the passenger side closest to the firewall.
The number 5 cyl is the middle one closest to the radiator.

The coil pack is difficult to get at, however if you remove the plastic part of the hood that holds the winshield wiper assembly it is easy to get at. That plastic part is really easy to take off... ten minutes.

What I would do is, push in on the wires to make sure they are fully seated, if they are and it still runs like crap, If I didn't have a volt meter, would buy the coil and put it in. IF I had a volt meter, I would test the windings. And if proven bad.. put it in.

In the next slide I'll tell how to test the coil with a digital voltmeter.

BroncoJoe19 · 10-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Your conenctor to the coil should have four pins in it, see the photo above.
One is the B+ pin, the other three are the (-) pin for each of the three coils in the coil pack.

You should disconnect the connector and test the ohms between the B+ pin and each of the other three pins. The ohms should be the same for each check and be between 0.3 and 1.0 ohms.

Then you should pull the plug wires from the coil in pairs... only do two at a time!
check the resistance between the big lugs of the coil
They should be between 6.5K - 11.5 K ohms.

When you pull the plug wires off, place them so that you know which one goes back where.

IF your resistance readings are different, then you need to replace the coil pack.
Remember, your coil pack is like three separate coils in one. The readings of each should be reasonably similar to the others.

mark v · 10-09-2008, 06:26 PM

I NEVER just change plugs, if the plugs are bad the wires are bad too or will be bad soon.

joyceallen · 10-09-2008, 07:36 PM

Thanks guys for all your answers (and very clear directions!). I guess we at least know where to start now.

shooter3262 · 10-19-2008, 03:33 PM

i have a 2000 windstar according to advance auto parts store computer #2and was missing and we drove it. Later it was #2 and #6. A couple days later the engine went down. According to the dealership a valve broke and fell down in the motor, which means a new motor. Be careful driving it without checking it out, by a person who is knowagable.

firstwindstar02 · 10-22-2008, 05:13 PM

Watch out with misfiring it could dump a lot of unburnt fuel into your catalytic converter. Which heats them up to dangerous temps.
Sometimes a misfire fix is easy as your plugs/wires or a fuel injector. Sometimes it is a more serious problem that needs quick response to avoid costly repairs. Unless your handy with cars, can understand workshop manuals easily and have the right tools you should have a mechanic take a look. Preferably someone you know. If you don't know anyone shop around and pick the best mechanic. A little shopping can save you a mound of cash. You'd be surprise how much cash hack jobs will try to con you out of. Good luck.

BryanF · 10-22-2008, 09:19 PM

try replacing the coil pack first. it should run about $80 for the part, shouldn't take more than 2 hours to do, and is a relatively simple job. the hardest part is not screwing up the order that the spark plug wires are plugged in.

another problem area to check is the EGR ports in the lower intake manifold. the passages get clogged up with carbon gunk from the EGR system, and causes misfires on the cylinders that are the least clogged. this repair is FREE, you don't have to buy any new parts. just need to clean the EGR passages with some carb cleaner. however disassembling the intake is a bit more complicated and runs you a greater risk of screwing something up or not putting everything back correctly.

there's a good tutorial about how to do that jobs and what symptoms you'll experience if it needs to be done. here's the link: http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

the job i'm talking about is closer to the bottom of the page. the procedure is pretty much the same for the 3.8L engine.