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andreaslang84

Ford Windstar Faulty Generator

Hi, I have a 2002 Ford Windstar with a gasoline engine and I'm having some trouble. My generator seems faulty. I've noticed reduced engine power, a warning light on the speedometer, and the car starts poorly. The lights are also weak and flickering. I also got error messages when I checked the error memory. Could this be a battery issue?

4 comment(s)

leo_moon6

Hey there! I had something similar happen with my Windstar. Weak lights, struggling to start… sounds familiar. Before jumping to conclusions about the generator, have you checked for any significant voltage drops when you try starting the engine? Also, any engine misfires or unusual noises?

andreaslang84 (Author)

Voltage drops, okay. I'll check that. Where exactly should I be looking for voltage drops? And if there are any misfires, is that a sign of the generator being faulty?

leo_moon6

Okay, so voltage drops can be measured directly at the battery terminals while someone attempts to start the car; a significant dip below 10 volts is concerning. As for the misfires, while a faulty generator can contribute to all sorts of electrical gremlins, misfires can stem from various issues, including ignition or fuel delivery problems. Given all the symptoms, it really does sound like a charging system issue, possibly the generator failing. I recommend getting it checked by a professional.

andreaslang84 (Author)

Thanks for the advice! I took it to a workshop, and you were right; the generator was defective. The repair cost me 960€. Appreciate the help!

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