Instrument cluster speedometer and tachometer

CHAPMAN

MEMBER
FORD WINDSTAR

Ford Windstar 2000. 3.8L 120,000 miles.
Every summer I get instances when all the dials will go haywire. The speedomete might register 120mph when the actual speed might just be 60mph. The tachometer might go to zero or to maximum and the gas gauge might go to full. After a while they will return to normal, sometimes after a scary 40 miles down the road.

3 Replies

98RANGERXLT

MEMBER
301 POSTS

Have the battery checked it sounds like the battery

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Monday, June 18th, 2007 AT 9:43 PM

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

HELLO! Came across it twice in that era. The PCM is the voltage regulator on this beast. Book says 13.6--14.6 for volt range as I recall. BULL! 14.2 turned out to be the minimum. Since this has many clicks on the odometer and only happens in warm weather my first suspicion is plugged rad. Fins. Even at 60MPH and the A/C on- the PCM can turn the high speed engine cooling fan on. Add the dual blower motors inside and you are sucking many amps and dropping voltage at the same time. Scroll down to ALL OTHER CARS in the main menu. Open it and drop down about 16 posts to the 2003 SABLE STOPS.I describe how to make a tool to clean those fins. I would start with that approach rather than an alt.

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Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 AT 8:12 AM

CHAPMAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Did a DdieHard express test on the battery. Load volts was 14.04 and No load volts 14.09. Replaced engine coolant which was dirty according to a certified tech. Checked all hoses and the performance of the thermostat. Blew out debris around radiator with ordinary air pressure blower without taking out the fin covers yet. Temperature is not yet in the range where the problem occurs 89*-93* I will watch it a few days before going to the fins cleaning which was estimated to cost$60.00

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Thursday, June 21st, 2007 AT 9:08 AM