Our 2003 Ford Windstar speedometer is intermittent, and today the tachometer needle pegged and got stuck in the PRND mechanism. I was able to push the tach needle free but it no long works. Any suggestions on what might be causing intermittent tach/speedometer and a DIY fix? Any chance these are related to a brake warning light? We had the 'cruise control fire' recall fix back in Nov 2009. Over the last two months we've also had the ABS and Brake warning lights come on intermittently. Dealer said it might be low brake fluid but I topped it off and I don't dare add any more brake fluid. Thanks for your time and help.

Tachometer / Speedometer Problems: - Ford Explorer and Ranger ...

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Jul 31, 2006 - 13 posts - ‎11 authors
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You'll need to take your dash apart, and replace the speedometer needle. Only do this if the rest of your dash is working. When you replace the needle, make sure you do not push the new needle all the way to the dash, there should be a small space between the dash and the needle. That's exactly what I had to do to my 2002 Windstar.

I would say you will have to take the cluster apart after you take it out of the van.

Same exact issue with 99 Windstar...is it the alternator, contacts in cluster or what. Checked the fuse and all was good. Anyone have any ideas?

This may be the issue:

Both the speedometer and tachometer have a mechanical stop for the needles. The stop is located behind the display board.

The stop and needle contact point tend to develop a sticky residue which mechanically prevents the needle from rising above zero. At the behavior would indicate, the needles independently of one another, tend to stick at zero, yet intermittently, while driving will resume normal reading.

Disassembling the instrument cluster and carefully cleaning the stop and needle contact point with some solvent on a bent cotton swab or pipe cleaner should solve the problem. Just be careful not to break any of the delicate parts.

This problem and solution were first posted by users on the ClubLexus forums, but the brief discussion is difficult to locate.
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If able, I will post a photo or short video of the problem and solution.

Push and hold in the speedometer odometer button turn the key to almost starting the car when needles start moving release button wait for the needles to return to original position then turn off the key.

Actually located a local mechanic that used to work for GM to install it. Thank you.

replacing the speedometer cable will not fix your problem , your problem is the dash gauge it self on the windstar there is a magnet inside a small metal dish that controls the speedometer when the magnet fails it begins to catch the metal dish randomly , ... witch makes the speedometer go crazy

I had same issue with my 2001 Windstar. To take the pointer needle back to its position without removing the Cluster, you will need to:
- Remove the head lights and dimming switch together with the bezel (left side of steering column). It is snap-fit, so just pull it softly from the edges
- From there, you will be able to peek and see the prndl and the red portion of the pointer stucked
- With a long soft stick (I cut a thin long portion from a manila folder, but you can also use a plastic flat stick or any thin card board material that you can cut like from cereal box) insert it into the prndl small opening between the Cluster lens and bezel to push the needle.
- If the pointer doesn't move at all and your paper stick is bended, it might be pretty stuck (due to the countinuous pushing while placing the shift is P). For that, you can use a wood stick, like a chopstick, to un-stock it. Same thing, insert it trough the opening. Do not insert it all the way, as it will not fit. This is just to unstock the pointer with the chopstick tip.
- Once it is unstuck, get back to the paper stick and now insert it again and push the pointer up until it gets back to 0 by itself.

It is higly possible that your pointer will be bend at this point (again due to the continuous pushing of the shift at P). So you might want to consider removing the Cluster lens to bend it back straight.

Important: There are several comments that it is due to some ground connections issues on the cluster, which might be true. I haven't try finding it. Your pointers will eventually jump crazy again some day. In my case this happens 2 times a year (for the last 3yrs). If this happens again, hit the top of the panel hard with your hand and the pointers will jump back.
Due to this, it will be up to you if you want to remove or replace the cluster. I didn't find it worthy.
Good luck!

you need to check the prnd swith in the dash