98 f150 dash fire
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Joined: Jul 2006
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98 f150 dash fire
I had a 98 f150 wiring harness for the parking lights catch fire. It started as a blown fuse under the hood that was changed out with anouther 15a fuse. Tried to turn the parking lights on again and they were very dim. Within 30 sec. there was smoke coming from under that dash and the 15a fuse under the hood for the lights melted. I looked under the dash and found that the whole harness from the light switch to the main harness was on fire. We were able to get the fire out before it burnt the main harness but I can not find what caused the fire. The truck is stock with no aftermarket lights or anything. The harness had never been messed with to cause it. All I can tell is the fire started right by the plug in the parking light (brown) wire. Anybody heard of this problem before?
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98 f150 fuse box fire
Due to a leaking factory windshield water filled up my fusebox thanks to Fords wonderful design - open on the topside sealed on the bottom so nothing can drain out. However I had good insurance and broke my windshield, Novus paid the $50 deductible so it was free. 
I did have to purchase a new fusebox for $135 but it could have been worse. The symptoms were - after a rain my headlights, radio, heater fan would not shut off with the key. Occasionally the pickup would try to start itself with the key off or while driving. The 4x4 light would go on and off the airbag warning light was always on and the OD shutoff switch did not work and sometimes the speedometer would not work. 2 weeks after the replacement window was installed all problems were gone.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: St. Louis (Out in the woods)
Originally Posted by zj6969
I found out that they have a problem with the light switch which causes them to catch fire.
On what do you base this statement?
There have been no recalls, TSBs, or NHTSA complaints/investigations relating to this issue for your MY truck.
Further, In the several years I've been lurking/posting on this and other F-series sites, I can't recall any other claims of these switches catching fire or causing problems.
Steve
