2003 Ford Windstar BRAKES AND IDLE

DBLACK61

MEMBER
2003 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
98,000 MILES

ABS. YES. ABS SYMBOL LIT UP UNTIL I RAN 2 TANKS OF GAS WITH GAS TREATMENT. BRAKES PULSE AND SQUEAL AT TIMES, ALSO IDLES HIGH AND HAS A LOUD PITCH SOUND IN ENGINE, ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE POWE STEERING BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD POWER STEERING IS FINE. WHAT COULD BE MY PROBLEMS?

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,230 POSTS

Hi:
You can have the computer scanned for trouble codes at a nationally recognized parts store. Most will do it for free and then you will know why the light was on. As far as the pulsation, does it still do it? Did it seem like the ABS was functioning? Also, have the brakes checked for the squeal.

Finally, the noise you hear, there have been problems with the power steering pumps being noisy. If you want, remove the serp belt and start the car to see if the sound goes away. If it does, then you can start to eliminate things because the you will know the noise is coming from one of the accessories that belt runs. IF YOU DO THIS, DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE FOR MORE THAN 20 SECONDS WITH THE BELT OFF. IT WILL OVER HEAT THE ENGINE AND CAN CAUSE DAMAGE.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

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Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 10:32 PM

MISSUSSHEPPARD

MEMBER
6 POSTS

That seems to be a common Ford issue, even when the pump is fine. We've owned three Fords, and they all have done it. It is a problem when the whine gets considerably louder, and/or fluid starts leaking and the steering gets harder. Brakes seem to be a common Ford issue as well, again, all three that we have owned have had a lot of brake problems. We finally upgraded to ones that were much higher quality than what the car came with, and this seemed to eliminate the problems, even the idiot light being on when nothing was wrong.

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Friday, March 20th, 2009 AT 7:12 AM