Just saw a program on the cruise control switch fires. My question is, I had a burning wire smell once and it went away. I had no explanation for this until now, can I unplug this switch and what will it affect?

 

Ford will fix it for free because it was a recall.

 

And now they have the parts to correct the problem. I went in and had the cruise disconnected and then 2 months later, went back to have it re-connected. Now, they can fix it on the spot. Takes about 30 minutes or so for the repair.

 

He has a 97. It is not covered under the current recall so Ford will not "fix it for free".

Since there is no indication of the source of the "burning smell", further inspection is needed.

Unplug and inspect the CC switch on the master cylinder. If there is evidence of fluid inside the connector, leave the connector unplugged. You can still purchase and install the recall kit parts, but they will be at your expense. Save your receipts in case the recall is expanded and your vehicle becomes eligible. Many times, auto manufacturers will reimburse prior service customers for repairs made on a recalled component which were made prior to the issuance of the recall.

With the switch disconnected, you will loose the cruise control. Nothing else.

Steve

 

Thanks, projectSHO89 for the help and to the others I will disconnect the CC for now.

 

Today on CNN:

Ford document: Millions of vehicles have fire risk part

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/16/for...les/index.html


Expanded investigation
The $20.57 switch shuts off the cruise control when the driver firmly steps on the brakes. The switch is located under the hood of the vehicle and is attached to the brake master cylinder on one end and wired to the cruise control on the other.

On most of its models, Ford designed the switch to be powered -- or "hot" -- at all times, even when the vehicle is off and the key is removed from the ignition.

Inside the switch, a thin film barrier separates brake fluid from the switch's electrical components. Investigators say fires can occur when the film cracks and brake fluid from the master cylinder seeps into the electrical side of the switch.

Ford has already recalled more than 1 million vehicles in two separate recalls to replace the switch.


But a Ford document obtained by CNN shows the same or similar switch was installed in a total of 16 million vehicles, far beyond what was recalled. Those vehicles include:


Mark VII/VIII from 1994-1998


Taurus/Sable and Taurus SHO 2.3 L 1993-1995


Econoline 1992-2003


F-Series 1993-2003


Windstar 1994-2003


Explorer without IVD 1995-2003


Explorer Sport/Sport Trac 2002-2003


Expedition 1997-2003


Ranger 1995-2003

 

I actually had a buddy whose truck did catch on fire. Was sitting in the driveway in front of his house and it just caught on fire. Burnt a large hole in the hood and burnt the entire engine up. Was determined by Ford that it was in fact due to the cruise control problem. So I strongly recommend that you have this problem fixed. IT WILL CATCH YOUR TRUCK ON FIRE!!

 

I gave my vin# to my dealer & he said the recall does not effect my truck & does not have the same part so I dont need to replace it, I thought they all had that same part that could catch fire??

 

They do. The stealer is mis-informed. Had he taken the time to look up the part numbers for them, they would see that they were the same.

-Joe

 

That's what I assumed, so the only choice at this point is to go buy it yourself & wait for Ford to reimburse ya after more houses burn down & they recall all of them, I love how that works

 

I put in the replacement switch and pigtail (1L1Z-9G652-AA for my 98) AND moved the 12v supply to an ignition switched circuit (Vapor Management Valve). Probably overkill, but an inline fuse holder was only a couple bucks more. Total for the job ~ $15.