Ford Recall... again 1991 > Explorer, Ranger, Sport Trac

I see on a few news channels that Ford is at it again with "additional recalls" for the cruise control fire problem.... BUT I see that they are still "screwing" around with which vehicle have what. I see / think that my 96 still isn't in the "coverage" yet I think that the switch in question is a component.... I guess it will take a few more fires for them to get all the vehicle right...

More information: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/08/ford_fails.html

For information TFI speed control switch telephone.

1-888-222 7814

Guys, if you are really worried-just unplug the switch--
buy a new one for 15 bucks-or, install your own 2.00 in line fuse.

******************Edit***********************

I just talked to Ford service, since I do have a recall notice (boy will they look twice when they pop my hood)

I was told a few interesting facts--
First-ignore the above advice-it will still be "on you" if the recall procedure is not performed.
It is also on you if you ignore it.
He was downloading the new procedure-and verified he had seen the updated problems they were now fixing--
not only can the brake fluid leak from the switch-it can "migrate"down the harness, causing shorts all the way.

The new fix is more extensive in other words, and may include a new harness, fuse link ,and switch.

No explanation was given for the 96-98 model deletion though---

The recall consists of a wiring harness which has a fuse in it. They simply disconnect the sensor and plug the harness in between them.

For as much as they have expanded the recall, it would be wise for every vehicle made to have a fuse inline to a circuit near a possible brake fluid source. That is what this cruise control sensor is, it places constant electricity in a sensor which is connected to brake fluid.

Add your own fuse, the recall harness is large and ugly.

Just saw this....so, I replaced my CC disengagement switch several months ago. The old one was not working....wouldn't allow me to engage my CC. Anyway, the new one has sort of a pigtail connector/adapter and works like a charm.

I'm wondering if this new switch is the recommended replacement in the recall? Or do I still need to work through whatever I need to do?

The early recalls did include replacing the sensor also. The last recall covered my 99, and it did not include the sensor.

I believe that the first vehicles recalled for the CC sensor had the sensors which had a high failure rate. I think the recalls since then have been mainly for liability reasons. The fuse installed will blow before any fire can start. Regards,

CDW6212R said:

The early recalls did include replacing the sensor also. The last recall covered my 99, and it did not include the sensor.

I believe that the first vehicles recalled for the CC sensor had the sensors which had a high failure rate. I think the recalls since then have been mainly for liability reasons. The fuse installed will blow before any fire can start. Regards,

Click to expand...

Don, read my post above--
I was talking with a Ford service Manager today-he had just downloaded the new procedure-and insisted this time it is more involved. It may include replacing the harness. He was rather frustrated and adamant about it.

I haven't got a picture handy of the harness that I was given. It's in one of my several memory cards. I'll dig it up and post it on a couple of these recall threads. My Ford guy is very good, he was the Shop Foreman several years ago when we first met. He is honest with me and knows his stuff. He is where I learned about the many recalls. The results are the same for all models, a fuse is installed in line to stop current before a fire could start. The fuse doesn't affect whether the sensor will leak, but it is much more important than the sensor for safety.

My recall did not cover the sensor, for those of us who can add a fuse, the only use to go to a dealer is if we could get a new improved sensor. Anyone not comfortable with adding a fuse into a wire should find out if Ford has a recall for their vehicle, and let the dealer do it. Regards,

well... not being a "ford engineer", I would say that their problem is a leaky switch.... adding a fuse may or may not help since an "ignition source" is the contacts connecting with "ANY" current draw.... there will be a "momentary" arc which will be your "ignition source"... long before your fuse goes. I do believe there have been posts in the past where the fuses have blown, people have replaced them and the system has been "fine"... except for a "little smoke"... In my opinion, not replacing the "faulty sensor / switch" ain't buyin' them anything but "hope"... but that's my read on the circuit when you add a "little oil".

I guess this company didn't learn much from the tire fiasco.

CDW6212R said:

The recall consists of a wiring harness which has a fuse in it. They simply disconnect the sensor and plug the harness in between them.

For as much as they have expanded the recall, it would be wise for every vehicle made to have a fuse inline to a circuit near a possible brake fluid source. That is what this cruise control sensor is, it places constant electricity in a sensor which is connected to brake fluid.

Add your own fuse, the recall harness is large and ugly.

Click to expand...

Seems to me your better off having Ford pay for this, then the recall repair is reported to the NHTSA. If you do it yourself and something goes wrong or shorts and causes injury, they may blame the vehicle owner for not having the recall done "officially".

I agree the switch should be replaced, but Ford just doesn't seem to understand their problems sometimes, that or they are too worried about cost.

jtsmith said:

Don, read my post above--
I was talking with a Ford service Manager today-he had just downloaded the new procedure-and insisted this time it is more involved. It may include replacing the harness. He was rather frustrated and adamant about it.

Click to expand...

Can you blame him for being frustrated? These recalls hit the news before Ford even sends the literature and the parts to the dealers, then because Ford builds crap the dealer techs have to field fix the crap, and only for what Ford tells them they will pay to fix it. Some recalls aren't bad, others everyone loses money. Techs are paid by flatrate which is a loser for all involved. Which is one reason I no longer work for a dealer.

This recall was mentioned in the news last night hubby called my attention to it so I could look and see if my vehicle was in the list. The speed deactivation switch has constant power to it and has been the "possible" cause of vehicle fires.

Dallas News, Friday August 4, 2007

He said the automaker had received “a few reports of fires” in Ford Crown Victoria passenger cars prior to the recall. He did not have a precise number.

The recall involves the following vehicles: 1998-2002 Ford Ranger, 1992-1997 Lincoln Town Car, 1992-1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 1992-1997 Mercury Grand Marquis, 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII, 1993-1995 Taurus SHO, 1999-2001 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer.

Also covered are the 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport, 2001-2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, 1992-1993 E150-350 vans, 1997-2002 E150-350 vans, 1993 Ford F-Series pickups, 1993 Ford Bronco, 1994 Mercury Capri, 2003-2004 Ford F-150 Lightning, and 1995-2002 Ford F53 motor homes.

An additional 177,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and Europe are covered by the recall.

Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control electrical system or replace the deactivation switch it its found to be leaking.
***End Quote

I hope this helps some see if thier vehicle is included in the recall. Waking up to a flaming vehicle doesn't sound like my idea of a good time.

I aslo like to see the news directly from the "horse's mouth"

The Horse's mouth

Ford dealers will provide this service to all affected vehicles at no charge to the customers. The company has a sufficient supply of parts to service the affected trucks. The supply of parts to service the affected cars is expected to be available in early October. Owners of all affected vehicles will be notified by mail.
***End Quote

Check your mail ladies and gentlemen. . . .

Jon and Don, here is the harness I acquired for mine a while back:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171739

from what I am told by the dealerships service manager

LISTEN UP GUYS!!!!!!
First let me say I called him asking if I could just put it in myself
Now, if it wasn't a big deal, you'd think he'd let me, to get out of uneccessary
labor
NO!!
There is a NEW BULLETIN

dated for today-that he was downloading all the parts lists for

it seems there have been instances of fluid getting past the plug, and dripping down the length of the harness. In some instances they need to replace a whole harness ( not that fusible link thing).
The switch and harness to it needs checking
This is not just a fusible link install this time around, so forget everything you thought you knew on this matter


FYI

Where would i find where my Ex was made to see if i am in the recall?

I guess the "funny" thing that I find about this recall is the "if the switch is leaking".... what's the "IF" for. The switch doesn't come from the factory in a "leaking state" day one, it happens over time.... so it needs to be replaced regardless of whether it is currently leaking or not.

Anyways, I am glad to see they have expanded the recall again... maybe they eventually get it "right".

How many parts are in a car? How many parts can possibly be defective?

Who in their right mind thinks that out of that many parts, that nothing will ever fail, or ever be defective?

Undoubtedly there have been countless numbers of defective cruise control master cylinder switches. Ford did not ask for defective switches, they did not order defective switches. No one lives in a perfect world. This issue is not about Ford, or Toyota, or any other car manufacturer. This is entirely about a parts manufacturer who made the switches for Ford, and Ford discovered the problem, which is their job.

Someone screwed up, the point is that Ford is responsible for it, but they did not intend for any switches to be bad. Their task is to make the vehicles safe. They are also trying to allay the hysterical responses of people who own vehicles with perfectly adequate switches.

All of the switches are not bad, all of the switches which are being recalled are not bad. Ford is expanding the recall just like every other business decision. They weigh the cost of doing only the bad switches or suspect switches, against the frivolous lawsuits which are undoubtedly are being filed by ignorant owners. Thus I bet a ton of money that the recalls are including a ton of other vehicles which have not shown to have any problems with the switches. They are doing some of that for political reasons, to appease those odd owners.

Find out if your vehicle is involved in the recalls, no official word is going to identify the critical switch models versus those less likely to leak. Let the dealership do their thing, make you happy.

Thanks Evan for the link showing the picture of what Ford installed on your truck. That is the exact harness which I was given, it is simply a fuse, as I said before. My truck did not require a new switch, back then the magic was the color of the top of the switch. That was before the last two recalls that everybody is worried about. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171739

For the record, Ford did not make either the recalled switches or the replacement switches. Ford did, however, design the vehicle system that they are in, and the electrical and hydraulic circuits contained in that system are a contributing factor in the spontaneous combustion of the Ford products they reside within. Ultimately it's not Ford's part that's failing, but Ford is doing the right thing, actively seeking out vehicles with potential problems as they discover them.

Also, JTSmith, it's not a different procedure than was issued with the 05S28 Recall, it's simply an expansion of it. Supplement 11 explains that there are parts available for the currently recalled trucks, but not for the cars listed in this latest expansion of the recall. Trucks will receive a permanent fix per the existing procedure, and cars will receive an interim repair that will disable the CC system until parts become available in the 4th quarter of '07. People with affected cars will need to make a return trip to the dealership when parts become available.

The repair procedure for the trucks remains unchanged.

Sounds like it's time to take my X in this time around.

I just called my local dealer and he told me to give him my vin number. And he can tell look up if my truck is covered as well as any other recalls that need to be done. I think you know what I am doing at lunch.