1998 Ford Windstar 3.8...a few problems... 1) drive belt keeps slipping off 2) smoking coming from under hood on side of engine where belt is, temp gauge not showing hot and smelling a bit like coolant 3) speedometer/odometer stopped working but all other gauges including RPM works 4)van wants to die when coming to a stop or slowing to turn...not every time but a lot 5) right turn signal don't work and makes a funny noise if flipped up all the way but works and no noise if hold it just below the point where it stays on by itself

Ford Windstar Starting/Stalling Problems - Edmunds.com

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Oct 16, 2007 - 31 posts - ‎26 authors
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98 windstar 3.8 problems - CarGurus

Open the hood and locate the belt tensioner. The serpentine belt drive is located on the front of the engine on the passenger side of the engine compartment. The spring-loaded belt tensioner on the 1998 Contour is located slightly to the left of and below the water pump pulley
Release the tension on the belt using the serpentine belt removal tool. On vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter V-6 engine, snap the 3/8 inch-drive adapter onto the removal tool. Slip the tool into the square, 3/8-inch hole in the end of the tensioner arm. Rotate the tensioner clockwise to release the tension. While holding the tensioner back, remove the belt from one of the pulleys. Release the tensioner, remove the belt from the remaining pulleys and pull it out of the engine compartment
Snap a13 mm socket adapter into the belt removal tool for the 2.0 liter, four cylinder Contour. Place the tool onto the 13 mm bolt that holds the tensioner pulley to the tensioner arm and rotate the tensioner clockwise. While hold the tensioner back, slip the belt off one of the pulleys. Release the tensioner, slip the belt from the remaining pulleys then remove it from the engine compartment
Route the new belt around the pulleys, according to the belt routing guide. The belt routing guide on the 1998 Contour is located on a decal on the left (passenger side) strut tower. If this decal is missing, or unreadable, the belt routing guide can also be found in your service manual. Rotate the tensioner pulley one more turn to allow the new belt to slip under the tensioner pulley.
Check the belt for proper alignment on the pulleys. It should lay flat on the pulley and not overhang the edges. If the belt must be repositioned, release the tensioner and reposition as needed.

It should be a serpentine belt.Was the belt about 1 inch wide and there are no other belts hooked up when you look under the hood?It connects everything a/c,alternator,power steer,power brakes.If that is the case(1 belt)you will need to contact a Ford dealer or look for a sticker under the hood showing how the belt is routed.Some makers have the sticker,some don't.I don't think my 1995 Ford does though.The belt will be cheaper at a national auto parts store than a dealer if you are going to try to self-repair.Good luck! Greg

For the 1998 Ford Windstar for either 3.0L or 3.8L V6 Engines:

Firing Order:
1-4-2-5-3-6

Cylinders:
.......(back).......
|..3..|........|..6..|
|..2..|........|..5..|
|..1..|........|..4..|
.......(front)
Ignition Connections:
(back)
|.3...4.|
|.2...6.|
|.1...5.|
(front)

YOU SHOULD HAVE FACTORY VACUUM DIAGRAM UNDER THE HOOD.MOST OF THE TIME THE FACTORY WILL PUT DRIVE BELT AND VACUUM DIAGRAM UNDER THE HOOD.

i have a 1998 ford windstar and mine is front wheel drive, pretty sure they area all the same,
hope that helps

check the vaccum hoses. if the hoses are soft the will collapse and stall the engine. also check all vaccum hoses.

Take the car in for a new serpentine belt and tensioner right away before you destroy the engine. The alternator, power steering pump and waterpump are not turning right now because the belt has come off. The battery will die soon because it is not charging, and the engine will overheat and perform it's own little rendition of the china syndrome. When the red warning lights in the dash come on, it generally means; park it unless you're being shot at.

there is a tensioner that normally holds the belt in place there should be a diagram under the hood showing how the belt goes back on normally it is a 3/8 socket or 1/2 inch socket you use on the tensioner to release the pressure once you put the belt back on and everything is in place and the belt tensioner is working all you have to do is start up the car and the belt tensioner adjusts itself

Check all your fuses under the hood and under the dash on the driver side