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I encountered the problem on a customers car 2001 Windstar. Lights ( ABS and Brake ) come on periodically. Plugged a code reader into the OB11 and came up with code
C 1185
ABS Power Relay Output Circuit Failure

and found this link http://www.fordwindstarrecall.info/

Hope this helps someone, the power relay is inside the ABS Module.

Ray  

I have a Windstar 1998 and I have the same problem the light comes on after passing the 60 mile per hour speed and then go down back to 60 miles. Also when I stop in a red light I feel like grinding on my pads and I just spend about $400.00 dollars installing new pads and rotors. Its look that is a defect fron the brand. Lately the ABS light comes on when I pass over a bump area.  

I have a 2002 Ford Windstar and just started having the same problem.  With mine, the ABS and Brake light both came on after the van had been sitting in park for a while.  I drove it and when I got home I shut if off and then restarted it.  No lights.  The next day, same thing.  Lights went off once the engine was shut off.  Then on the third time, I was driving at a slow speed when both lights came on.  There are no sounds or smells.  The bearings and cv shaft were replaced a few month ago on the front, both sides.  In the process, an ABS sensor was broke.  We replaced it ourselves with no problems ($40.00).  I am wondering if this replacement is causing the lights to come on.  Anyone who has had this problem and gotten it fixed, it would be appreciated if you could share the fix secret.  

This happens to me with my Windstar all the time!! It's really scary! What ever happened with yours? Did you get it fixed and what was the problem?  

My amber ABS and red BRAKE lights have also started coming on simultaneously on my '01 Windstar and its been doing this for several weeks now on a daily basis.  I checked for brake fluid leaking into the SCDS and cable harness and everything is dry.  Just to be sure I pulled the connector out of the switch and checked both the plug and socket, all were dry, then left it disconnected.

NOW THE CRAZY PART...I only use it around town, usually not exceeding 50 MPH even on the major blvds.  The other day I had to go out of town and took the freeway and I decided it's about time to blow some carbon out of the cylinders.  I got it up to 85 for a few minutes (ABS and brake lights are both on, as usual).  Got to my destination and an hour later left for home and on my way back both lights stayed off for the whole trip, nearly an hour.  The lights have not come back on since.

I have a theory:  This Windstar sits outside and it is a bug magnet for some unknown reason, I even had tiny ants flying out of the A/C vents last month when I ran the A/C on high.  Wasps are constantly building nests everywhere, even on the Winstar.  It is my theory that a spider web or wasp nest had been built in one of the wheel sensors and getting it up to a high MPH caused the obstructions to blow away.  I don't know how else to explain it except it being a coincidence, but the lights had been coming on within a few minutes of operating it everyday for several weeks before the freeway trip.  Anyone have any other ideas?  

Hola, creo que el problema es mas simple de lo que parece, lo que tiene que hacer abre la tapa del bonete y ves donde esta el liquido de freno ahi debajo deconecta el los cable que unen con la llabesita del liquido de freno y fijate si esta mojado del liquido. si es asi reparalo y listo. bye  

Kaas,

I like your theory.  Usually, if your ABS light comes on after a few minutes of driving, I've found it to be a wheel speed sensor code (as the light comes on after it picks up a few glitches in the signal).

Never seen a good drive at 85mph fix a wheel speed sensor, but I guess if it was just full of crap (more likely metallic brake dust that can interfere with the magnetic field on the reluctor wheel than spider webs and dirt), a good drive may have cleaned some of that out.

Hopefully you never see that light back on.

Rob

Richardson's Auto Care
11170 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229

Auto Repair in Dallas, TX  

Mine started comming on (AND off) after I changed that cruise control deactivation switch that leaks fluid. I did it before there was a recall... Did I do something wrong when changing the switch? I had to splice the switch in because the plug on the new switch the dealer gave me wasn't compatible.  

My 2000 Windstar started having the ABS and brake light come on last month. about the same time the cruise and speedometer stopped working.

then today i went from getting 23 MPG to 8MPG!

i usually buy fords. but man this thing is a piece of turd.  

without the speed sensor input to the ECM... the computer will be running in default mode and get reduced fuel economy...

its a 2000.. plug in a scan tool check for codes...

figure out why the speedo has stopped...


you will probably get one of these codes... each one goes to trouble shooting pages in the service manual...


DTC Codes - P0500-P0599 - Vehicle Speed Controls and Idle Control System

P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
P0501 Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance
P0502 Vehicle Speed Sensor Low Input
P0503 Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent/Erratic/High


there are a few thousand more codes possible...


P0500 OBD-II Trouble Code

Technical Description

Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction

What does that mean?

Basically this means that the vehicle's speed as read by the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is not working properly.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0500 DTC may include:
loss of anti-lock brakes
the "anti-lock" or "brake" warning lamps on the dash may be lit
the speedometer or odometer may not work properly (or at all)
your vehicle's RPM limiter may be decreased
the shifting of an automatic transmission may become erratic
other symptoms may also be present
Causes

A code P0500 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is not reading (functioning) properly
There is a broken/frayed wire leading to the vehicle speed sensor
The vehicle's PCM is not correctly configured for the actual tire size on the vehicle
Possible Solutions

The simplest thing to do is to reset the code and see if it comes back.

Next, check all wiring and connectors that lead to the speed sensor. The location of the sensor depends on your vehicle. The sensor could be on the rear axle, transmission, or perhaps the wheel hub (brake) assembly.

If the wiring and connectors are OK, then check the voltage at the speed sensor. Again, the exact procedure wil depend on your make and model of vehicle.

If everything looks OK, replace the sensor.


http://www.engine-light-help.com/speed-sensor.html  

rkuelbs:
Kaas,

I like your theory.  Usually, if your ABS light comes on after a few minutes of driving, I've found it to be a wheel speed sensor code (as the light comes on after it picks up a few glitches in the signal).

Never seen a good drive at 85mph fix a wheel speed sensor, but I guess if it was just full of crap (more likely metallic brake dust that can interfere with the magnetic field on the reluctor wheel than spider webs and dirt), a good drive may have cleaned some of that out.

Hopefully you never see that light back on.

Rob

Richardson's Auto Care
11170 Ables Lane
Dallas, TX 75229

Auto Repair in Dallas, TX

Ron

Fords are known to have a problem with their ABS Tone Wheels on the axles. That the thin gear ring that the wheel sensor reads. The dealers know about this and will try to sell you a whole axle. You can get the from Rockauto for about $8.00. What happens is rust builds up under the ring and the crack. Some times when this happens, they spin on the axle and give you all kinds of weird problems. I've had 3 of them go on my 2003 Ford escape. The first ones were on the front axles about 3 years ago. Aftermarket rings were not available at that time so I installed rebuilt axles halves. The left rear went this past weekend, so i'm replacing both back rings. BTW, code on ABS Scanner is C1236.  

Tim