Comments on: I unhooked the battery from my Ford Windstar but when hooked back up the horn/lights go off. how do I fix it?

By: quepasameng

quepasameng — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Everytime we plug the battery back up on our windstar, the lights flash. You might just need a new battery. Does it have a stock alarm system?

By: Jeffery G

Jeffery G — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:33:52 +0000

Your Problem is indeed the alarm going off. Every time you dis-connect the battery leads, the alarm resets itself and sounds, just in case the engine’s starting circuit has been by-passed. Have you:-

- Checked the fuses? (continuity testing fuses with a multimeter is the best way of doing this, blown fuses aren’t always obvious)

- Checked the condition/charge of the batteries in the remote key fob?

- Check the condition of all wiring along the alarm circuit, a short or bad earth could cause the receiver to pick up a poor/incorrect signal from the key fob.

Failing this, trace the wiring back to the control box (normally located behind a part of the dashboard trim offside) and disconnect the plug, just to get you going. If your alarm is a factory fit Ford accessory, your local dealer should have all the security information on record from when the car was first registered. If your alarm is an retro-fit aftermarket accessory, you may need to find the model and serial number of the control box and key fob. If you take these to a in-car entertainment dealer, they may be able to re-programme both the control unit and key fob for a small price, or order replacement parts as necessary.

Hope this helps and good luck

Jeff Gore - Massey Ferguson Service Engineer

By: J M

J M — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:10:55 +0000

ok, horn & lights have “nothing ” to do with your requiring an oil change nor does it have any direct relationship. One has nothing to do with the other.

You failed to provide more details about your delema.
This can happen when you install a battery, when you connect all the power wires, lamens terms here. Does it continue to happen everyday you start the car ? Or did this activity stop by now ? Its possible your car alarm sets this off if it’s short circuited.

By: Richard C

Richard C — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:19:01 +0000

Hi, just a thought, my Opel Vectra did this when I changed the battery, all I did was start the car up and everything reset itself. It sounds as though you have a similar “alarm” setup - give it a try!
Hope this helps.