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2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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TerryH
New User
Oct 4, 2014, 11:07 AM
Post #1 of 10
(2566 views)
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2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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I've been looking around to see if there were any replacements for my worn cables. So far, I've found that Ford doesn't make them anymore (I believe the part number was WC-95654). And I'm not sure if there are any after market cables as I haven't found anything online.
My problem started after some other issue (door open dashboard feature allowing some other features to drain the battery). I'd have to jump the battery when that was happening and some co-workers saw that there was some deposits around the battery terminals so they pestered me to clean them. I finally did but when I reconnected the cables to the battery posts, the battery wasn't charging and I would have to boost it every time I started it. Eventually, the electrical started to go out while driving (dashboard, windows, lights, radio, signals). The final part was driving home from work and having the van barely get any speed over the last few blocks (maybe about 10 to 20 km/h). Even trying to charge the battery had little effect, so I imagine that it was toast after all the boosting.
One option is to try to remove the cables and have them rebuilt. Is that possible? I could try finding a set at a used parts place but they may also been too worn to be useful.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 4, 2014, 11:39 AM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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Battery cables usually don't wear out. They can become corroded or damaged and cause excessive resistance, which is more common on side post batteries due to acid leaks. Sometimes the terminals on the cables break or become eaten up with corrosion. Those can be replaced as long as you have enough cable to reach.
Most repair shops have the parts to replace the terminals. The best way is to swage copper eyelet terminals, to the cable, heavy duty heat shrink, and then bolt them to a terminal that has a stud (marine battery terminal) IMO. That way if the terminal ever becomes damaged, you just unbolt the cable and install a new terminal. They also sell the kind that you clamp the cable onto the terminal, but those are really only for emergency use. They tend to build up corrosion because the cable is exposed and also loosen up over time causing connection problems.
You can test the condition of the battery cables by doing a voltage drop test on them. As long as corrosion hasn't crept down the cable and it passes a voltage drop test, it still should be good.
The symptoms of the electrical components shutting down as your driving and a dead battery sounds more like a charging system problem.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 4, 2014, 12:03 PM)
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TerryH
New User
Oct 4, 2014, 1:47 PM
Post #3 of 10
(2540 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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Thanks. I was thinking it was the cables as they are frayed close to the battery posts plus I didn't have a charging problem before I removed the battery clamps to clean the posts. I thought I had to replace the entire setup as I saw it had 5 other connections beyond the battery clamps.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 4, 2014, 2:11 PM
Post #4 of 10
(2533 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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Just because they stop making a part doesn't mean there are none available. Have them use their locator and see if anyone in the country has one.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Oct 4, 2014, 2:11 PM)
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TerryH
New User
Oct 4, 2014, 8:40 PM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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I tried the internet using that part number and only got a few hits. One I tried was one in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, which had the part listed on their website. I e-mailed them just to see if they did have one and got a reply that Ford has marked them as "obsolete" and that the dealer didn't have it.
Ford in the U.S. has the part still listed on their site, along with a photo, which I found on the net. Ford Canada only has a part search database on their site and I didn't see anything when I searched. It may be obsolete partly because of the big rear axle recall which took so many off the road in the States. There's still plenty of Windstars here in Alberta and the only recall I got was for the cruise control.
I know squat about mechanics so I'm not sure if the Windstar cable set is more complicated than other makes and models or if I just thought it was just 2 cables from each post to a connection. I didn't even realize that one connection is a plug-in to the engine fuse box.
edit: I'm not sure if they tried locating it elsewhere or not. I'll phone around in town and find a garage that can do cable repairs and also check to see where the charging problem is.
(This post was edited by TerryH on Oct 4, 2014, 8:48 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 5, 2014, 3:43 AM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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In stock splice ends right away but it's a splice. DS mentioned marine and agree you do want it the best it can be like that.
Note that for this/these require some tools but would be lightning fast to do IMO. I would consider soldering braided wire or assess them once in hand. Hate web shopping myself as I want to see the flicking product in hand to know how good it is and if it really is the right stuff!
Wally World just added these too for under $10 bucks just noticed never used. Awesome ones used to be readily available from NAPA now harder to get what I did once in stock from them. These just happen to be from Autozone as the site is easy.
Before I post that would you please check out battery + charging system and stop jumping this thing like that? You are just going to end up needing more crap than you planned on all over even starter motors or any hate low power to them never mind endless other computer box devices all thru vehicles. Battery power well delivered is critical so don't cheap out. You should be able to voltage drop test cables now to know that the other ends are fine and wire along the way.
Their site and picture with local prices no doubt............
--- Select a Brand --- Lynx O.E Lynx O.E/Battery Cable(0 reviews)  Part Number: 07765
Notes: Top Post. Dual cable with 1 lead non-lead. Cable: 1 X 4 gauge. Auxiliary leads: 1 X 12 gauge (Black)/1 X 10 gauge (Red). Positive/Negative Cable. To ensure a proper and safe fit, match gauge of existing cable to splice kit. Allen wrench included. Wire cutter and crimper required to complete installation.
Price: $13.29 Store Pick Up In StockShip To HomeIn Stock ADD TO CART
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 5, 2014, 4:52 AM
Post #7 of 10
(2499 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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OK, the Internet is not a "fix all". The way you find this part is you WALK INTO a Ford dealership and you ask him for the part. When he doesn't have it you ask him to use his locator to check other dealerships.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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TerryH
New User
Oct 6, 2014, 5:03 PM
Post #8 of 10
(2480 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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I'll have the charging system checked out first. I may have done something when I cleaned the posts. There was power going from the battery to the vehicle but nothing back to the battery and it took several weeks before the battery finally quit.
I'll also get a mechanic to remove the cables, as 3 of the connections are hard to remove myself, and take it to get repaired or have a new set built.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 6, 2014, 9:17 PM
Post #10 of 10
(2470 views)
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Re: 2001 Ford Windstar battery cables
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About the same TerryH. Send this out as I see it. Spliced ends or whole let them decide and prices would go up. It's really NBD to fix the cable ends if messed up but without knowing battery and charging system is good you are lost. It wouldn't run long (couple hours at best) on a fully charged battery without help from the charging system so it's doing something but you need to hone in on just what.
It's just too primal to have a good battery well connected and charging properly to any car. Any want to stay in a range of proper voltage and state of charge or things will fail, some nasty expensive,
T
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