Find solution
What does make a car engine technically a six pack?

My 2002 Ford Windstar 3.8L has flashing engine light and I smell burning.?

  • I'm not sure where this problem started. One day the engine light came on and I had the code read. It said "the engine was not producing as much power as it should be", that is how the mechanic worded it. My thoughts were perhaps a dirty fuel filter or fuel pump because I was hearing a slight fuel pump whine noise on occasion. I changed the filter and never heard from the pump again. But, that engine light kept coming on. Three weeks ago I discovered a fluid leak. Which I took to be brake fluid, lighting was poor at the time and I am partially colour-blind but it looked brownish-red to me and the brake fluid was extremely low. So I topped up what I thought was the leak. This I took to be an unrelated issue...more on that later. Within the last couple of months the van rough idles at stops. I have to throw it into neutral and build up revs to keep from stalling. I thought it was something to do with the idle motor (I've had that on another vehicle) or a misfire. Bringing me back to the initial diagnostic I now suspected; dirty plugs or old wiring, dirty injectors. Otherwise, I sometimes sense what I think is engine misfire while driving, it's a rumbling feeling that just doesn't belong. It used to happen rarely. Today, I barely made it home. Getting off the highway and blocks from my place the engine light began to flash. I felt stuttering, I would guess major misfiring in the engine. It was bad. I made it home (3 blocks). I parked and when I got out, I smelled something mechanical had gotten very hot and emitted a burnt smell. I've been reading since I got home about things that have gone wrong with other peoples 2002 Windstars. Seems that "coil packs" and "transmissions" are problematic. Maybe I have both. I don't even know at this point what a coil pack is but I will be looking it up shortly I can assure you. I'm wondering if that leaked fluid was actually transmission fluid, if my transmission just got really dry tonight? I'm wondering why it was misfiring? Are the fluid, the misfire, the engine light and subsequent code (engine producing less power) all related? What can I do? I'm not a man of great financial means and I rely upon my vehicle to earn a living. I am however very resourceful when I need to be and good with my hands. I might try to replace this "coil pack myself" or change injectors, clean and re-gap my plugs and do wiring. I know to draw the line at the transmission. I don't want to pour money into a lemon but if I could get this car to run for another year for around $1000, I might just be able to make ends meet, maybe. It's been a tough year from many of us. If we don't give up, I have hope we can all pull through somehow. I'm looking for any advice. Certainly anyone familiar with this model Ford, a mechanic or just someone who has had similar issues might share the wealth of their knowledge. Thank you in advance. I can and will update. I am now going outside with a flashlight to check transmission fluid levels. Ciao Peter

  • Answer:

    peter i would start off with a "tune up" by which i mean change your spark plugs and wires if you can get life time warranty spark plug wires and then for the transmission if its automatic change the transmission filter these are the cheapest things to try first the coil should also be pretty easy to change but i would try the plugs and wires first and also if its been a while i would also change the oil and filter

Peter at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

I have a fair amount of experience with full size Ford vans (E series) which are a little different but maybe I can suggest a couple ideas. You'll need to check the codes coming from the engine computer to have any hope of diagnosing it. I have a code reader, so I don't worry about it but I understand that if you go to an auto parts store they will read the codes for you at no charge (in hopes of selling you a part of course). You can then perform an internet search on the code number along with the vehicle make, ie "Ford Winstar P0301" to find some information on the code. Flashing check engine lights are an indication of a misfire. With a code reader, you can identify which cylinder is having the problem, which can save you a bunch of guessing. A bad coil on that cylinder is the most common cause of flashing check engine lights in my experience. Coils are easy to replace on the E-series, not sure on the Winstar. A 7mm socket on a 1/4 inch ratchet with an assortment of extensions is typically all that is needed to replace coils on the big vans. The other causes I have seen that create the flashing check engine light and low power have been a bad catalytic converter and a bad mass airflow sensor. Injectors rarely have any problems or need cleaning in my experience. Your leaking fluid is probably a bit of a red herring. Could be a little power steering fluid (my guess) or transmission fluid. You should check your levels on these but neither would cause low power and flashing check engine lights.

jjflash

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.