
Check fuel cap:Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Check
engine warning light to come on,
refer toFuel filler capin the
Maintenance and Specificationchapter.
Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position when the engine is not running, or
in a position between ON and START, or by applying the parking brake
when the ignition is turned to the ON position. If the brake system
warning light does not illuminate at this time, seek service immediately
from your dealership. Illumination after releasing the parking brake
indicates low brake fluid level and the brake system should be inspected
immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system:If the ABS
light stays illuminated or continues
to flash, a malfunction has been
detected, have the system serviced
immediately. Normal braking is still
functional unless the brake warning light also is illuminated.
Air bag readiness:If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also sound when a malfunction in the
supplemental restraint system has been detected.
Safety belt:Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
ABS
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

Door ajar:Illuminates when the ignition is in the ON position and any
door is open.
•Without Message Center
•With Message Center
Displays which door or the liftgate is
open.
Turn signal:Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators stay on or flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
Bulb warning:Illuminates when one of the exterior front turn lamps or
rear brake/turn/tail lamps bulb has burned out.
•Without Message Center
•With Message Center
Displays which bulb is burned out.
Depress the RESET control to clear.
High beams:Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Key-in-ignition warning chime:Sounds when the key is left in the
ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC position and the driver’s door is
opened.
Headlamps on warning chime:Sounds when the headlamps or parking
lamps are on, the ignition is off (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver’s door is opened.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Instrument Cluster
14

Cargo lamp
The cargo lamp will stay on if the
control is moved to the driver side
position. When the control is in the
middle position, the lamp will only
come on when a door is opened. If
the control is moved to the
passenger’s side position, the lamp
will not come on at all.
With the ignition key in the ACC or ON position, the rear cargo lamp can
be turned ON or OFF by sliding the control.
BULBS
Replacing exterior bulbs
Check the operation of all the bulbs frequently.
Using the right bulbs
Replacement bulbs are specified in the chart below. Headlamp bulbs must
be marked with an authorized “D.O.T.” for North America and an “E” for
Europe to assure lamp performance, light brightness and pattern and safe
visibility. The correct bulbs will not damage the lamp assembly or void the
lamp assembly warranty and will provide quality bulb burn time.
Function Trade Number
Front park/turn lamps 3457AK (amber)
Front sidemarker lamp 904NA (amber)
Cornering lamps 3156K
Auxiliary parking lamps 912
Headlamps H13
Rear license plate lamps W5WL
High-mount brake lamp LED (see dealer)
Rear tail/stop/turn lamps 3157K
Backup lamps 3156K
Dome lamp (front row) 10W sofitte
Cargo lamp 10W sofitte
Map lamps H6W
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
48

Replacing high-mount brakelamp bulbs
For bulb replacement, see a dealer or qualified technician.
Replacing license plate lamp bulb
The license plate bulbs are located in the license plate housing assembly
on the liftgate. To change the license plate bulbs:
1. Make sure the headlamp switch is
in the OFF position.
2. Remove the license lamp screw
from the assembly.
3. Pull the lamp down and twist the
bulb socket counterclockwise.
Remove the bulb socket from the
lamp.
4. Pull out the old bulb and push in
the new bulb.
5. Install the bulb socket in the lamp assembly by turning it clockwise.
6. Install the lamp assembly and secure it with the retaining screw.
Replacing supplemental park lamp or cornering lamp bulbs
(if equipped)
The supplemental park or cornering lamp is located on the front fascia,
below the bumper and headlamps.
1. Remove the bulb socket from the
supplemental parking lamp by
turning counterclockwise.
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
Install the new bulb in reverse order.
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Lights
51

Reasons given... Consider...
“I have an air bag” Air bags offer greater protection when
used with safety belts. Frontal airbags
are not designed to inflate in rear and
side crashes or rollovers.
“I’d rather be thrown clear” Not a good idea.Peoplewho are
ejected are 40 times more likely
to DIE.Safety belts help prevent
ejection, WE CAN’T “PICK OUR
CRASH”.
Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt
Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase the risk of
injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt
Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.
One time disable
If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles
the BeltMinder feature for that seating position, the BeltMinder is
disabled for the current ignition cycle. The BeltMinder feature will
re-enable during the same ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and
remains buckled for approximately 30 seconds. Confirmation is not given
for the one time disable.
Deactivating/activating the BeltMinder feature
The driver and front passenger BeltMinder are
deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating
one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will
terminate the process.
Read steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the
deactivation/activation programming procedure.
The driver and front passenger BeltMinder features can be
deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure:
Before following the procedure, make sure that:
•The parking brake is set
•The gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission)
•The ignition switch is in the OFF position
•The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
135

STARTING
Positions of the ignition
1. ACC, allows the electrical
accessories such as the radio to
operate while the engine is not
running.
2. OFF/LOCK, shuts off the engine
and all accessories/locks the steering
wheel, gearshift lever and allows key
removal.
When the key is in position between OFF/LOCK and RUN, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
3. RUN, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key
position when driving.
4. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
Preparing to start your vehicle
Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This
system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard
requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio
noise.
When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator
before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have
difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the
vehicle, refer to Starting the engine in this chapter.
Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
4
3
2
1
2004 Windstar (win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
Driving
163

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating
and Safety Restraints chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
3. Make sure the gearshift is in P
(Park).
4. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
2004 Windstar (win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
164

BRAKES
Occasional brake noise is normal. If a metal-to-metal, continuous grinding
or continuous squeal sound is present, the brake linings may be worn-out
and should be inspected by a qualified service technician. If the vehicle
has continuous vibration or shudder in the steering wheel while braking,
the vehicle should be inspected by a qualified service technician.
Refer toBrake system warning
lightin theInstrument Cluster
chapter for information on the brake
system warning light.
Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). This
system helps you maintain steering control during emergency stops by
keeping the brakes from locking. Noise from the ABS pump motor and
brake pedal pulsation may be observed during ABS braking; this is
normal and should be no reason for concern.
ABS warning lamp
The ABS lamp in the instrument
cluster momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON. If
the light does not illuminate during
start up, remains on or flashes, the
ABS may be disabled and may need to be serviced.
Even when the ABS is disabled,
normal braking is still effective. (If
your BRAKE warning lamp
illuminates with the parking brake
released, have your brake system serviced immediately.)
Using ABS
When hard braking is required, apply continuous force on the brake
pedal; do not pump the brake pedal since this will reduce the
effectiveness of the ABS and will increase your vehicle’s stopping
distance. The ABS will be activated if wheelslip or skidding is detected,
optimizing your stopping distance and allowing you to retain full steering
control.
ABS
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Driving
167