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.
I own a 99 Ford WindStar... It was running good... till a few days ago the engine light came on and it started to jerk/hesitate a bit... following that a foul smell filled the cab almost as if a rotten egg just busted... It acts now as if it wants to cut off but only continues to hesitate... I am attempting to change the spark plugs and wires but the back 3 seem the hardest... I was told that it was the catalytic converter which is clogged and bringing on the foul smell as well as the jerking of some sort. I have looked over the owners manual and found nothing in there that has to do with my occurring problem as well as for changing out the spark plugs. As for the catalytic converter… someone told me to drill some holes in it and clean it out… again I am left boggled and asking for help… any help would be deeply appreciated
I have a '95 Windstar that had the catalytic converters plugged. The car was very slow to take off - - it felt like I was towing a heavy trailer. It also sounded very different - - it would rev but the speed wouldn't be consistent with the amount of noise the engine was producing. I didn't experience any foul smell though.
I took the car to a guy my friend knew - sort of a handy man/mechanic. He cut the cats off and replaced them with a straight pipe. Runs fine now. It doesn't sound much louder than with cats either.
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95 Ford Windstar LX 3.8L with 234,000 miles
You should immediately determine what engine diagnostic code caused your engine light to come on. You can get this done at a Ford dealer or auto shop ($$$), or simply go to an auto parts store like Advance Auto or Autozone, and they will check it for free. (Call ahead to make sure your local store offers this service.) You will likely get a MUCH better idea of what the problem is, if not the exact cause of the problem, from this engine code. Once you have the engine (light) diagnostic code number and description, post it back on this forum, and someone here may be able to help you.
Although changing spark plugs is generally a good idea, I would leave the back three spark plugs alone until you get the engine code checked.
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need help PLEASE!!! 
I was told that it was the catalytic converter which is clogged and bringing on the foul smell as well as the jerking of some sort. I have looked over the owners manual and found nothing in there that has to do with my occurring problem as well as for changing out the spark plugs. As for the catalytic converter… someone told me to drill some holes in it and clean it out… again I am left boggled and asking for help… any help would be deeply appreciated 
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