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**Stefrobrts** · 06-16-2005, 08:05 PM

Did anyone else see this

Ford Cruise Control Fires

Apparently they have recalled some but not all of the vehicles with this same switch design. My '95 E150 has the same switch, with a hot wire even with the key out. It's no guarentee that it will burst into flames, but I'm not comfortable with it sitting parked next to the trailer (or towing it down the road like that), so I disconnected it until they can convince me otherwise. Not like I'll miss having cruise control, I never use it.

Still, it's shameful that Ford would have a known problem and not promptly recall all the vehicles with the same switch, instead picking and choosing, and letting other vehicles catch fire and deny responsibility.

tinman7 · 06-16-2005, 08:09 PM

Did we Pass?

**Stefrobrts** · 06-16-2005, 08:11 PM

Dang, youre fast! I put the message up with test in it to begin with because I was having trouble starting a post. It finally worked! So I guess you pass

bdlwet · 06-16-2005, 09:12 PM

I checked and no I don't have a Ford F-150 I have a 1999 Ford F-250 but the Ford Recall never affected my truck apparently. I am a happy camper and working on my airstream is my latest job, (although I do go to a regular job 40 hours on any airstream week)....isn't time really related to airstream weeks? I find that so many people on this site have so darn, (not the real expletive I had in mind), much time to play they don't really talk about too much else other than airstreams so I figure any time I have is really airstream time. I also wish there was more technical advice on some issues here.

**Stefrobrts** · 06-16-2005, 09:28 PM

Ask away, and any technical questions you have will probably be addressed.

Keep in mind that even if the recall didn't effect you, your truck probably has the same switch as those that have been recalled. That's the part that makes me so mad - now you have to figure out if it's a hazard or not and if you want to do something about it, or wait for a future recall to apply to you.

Ferroequine · 06-16-2005, 11:17 PM

The recall was mostly limited to 2000 & 2001 Expeditions and some SuperCrews. I know, our Expy was one of them.

The problem isn't so much the switch itself as a harness connector outside the firewall. IIRC, it is possible for brake fluid to drip from the master cylinder onto the improperly sealed connector, thus corroding the contacts and potentially shorting it out, thus potentially starting a spontaneous fire.

Porky Pig · 06-16-2005, 11:33 PM

Actually, there is another major Ford recall coming down the pipe. It will involve 03, 04 and 05 SuperDuties with the 6.0 Diesel engine.

**Stefrobrts** · 06-17-2005, 01:07 AM

As I understand it's the connector on top of the switch, or the switch itself located at the front end of the master cylinder, which shorts and fries. Here's another discussion about it on an F150 forum:

Ford Cruise Control Switch Recall

Silvertwinkie · 06-17-2005, 06:19 AM

Pork, you gotta give us a cookie here... I mean to post that and run.....

As for what you said Steph about how it's bad that they have a known issue and don't address it.....you can thank the bean counters for that. All auto makers do it (though I would have liked to have said it's just a Ford thing) according to one of my buddies that works out in auto city....so take this at face value.

I'm told when an issue is found, the bean counters weigh what it would cost to fix it vs. any or the worst possible lawsuit costs they could be hit for if this became an issue. Sometimes the bean counters are right and other times not as right. Take GMs "outside" the frame box gas tank on the truck line. At any rate as long as it's cheaper to get sued and pay a sum less than what it would take to fix an issue then the issue stays as is, unless NHTSA (or whatever it's letters are) forces them to recall.

Ferroequine · 06-17-2005, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I'm told when an issue is found, the bean counters weigh what it would cost to fix it vs. any or the worst possible lawsuit costs they could be hit for if this became an issue. Sometimes the bean counters are right and other times not as right. Take GMs "outside" the frame box gas tank on the truck line. At any rate as long as it's cheaper to get sued and pay a sum less than what it would take to fix an issue then the issue stays as is, unless NHTSA (or whatever it's letters are) forces them to recall.

Sad but true...

overlander63 · 06-17-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie

I'm told when an issue is found, the bean counters weigh what it would cost to fix it vs. any or the worst possible lawsuit costs they could be hit for if this became an issue. Sometimes the bean counters are right and other times not as right. Take GMs "outside" the frame box gas tank on the truck line. At any rate as long as it's cheaper to get sued and pay a sum less than what it would take to fix an issue then the issue stays as is, unless NHTSA (or whatever it's letters are) forces them to recall.

Remember the Pinto, and its exploding gas tank??? Same thing.

driftwood · 06-17-2005, 07:24 PM

"It is a matter of more than public record, a matter of MILLIONS and MILLIONS of Chilton manuals, Haynes manuals, Ford service manuals, etc., that "reveal" Ford has been using a brake fluid pressure triggered cruise control shut off. Thousands of service techicians across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico know the extent to which this style switch is used.

This has not been done in some dark corner. Ford has used this switch with little to no problem for twelve years. Furthermore, I would like to see some record of how many cruise control shut-offs from GM, DCX, etc., have failed, leading to unexpected acceleration when the brakes are released."

I stumbled across the above response comment after reading the CNN article that Stephanie brought to our attention. With their advanced engineering I feel confident that $$ & politics allowed the part to make it into production.

Although, 559 complaints out of 16,000,000 (sixteen million) - well ...

59toaster · 06-19-2005, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Did anyone else see this

Ford Cruise Control Fires

Still, it's shameful that Ford would have a known problem and not promptly recall all the vehicles with the same switch, instead picking and choosing, and letting other vehicles catch fire and deny responsibility.

Normal mode of operatation. Ford at one time stated "Its cheaper for us to pay the lawsuits then repair the problem".

That was about the pinto.

driftwood · 06-19-2005, 06:37 PM

59toaster,

A very accurate statement, although don't even begin to infer that Ford is the only culprit in compromise of safety for profit. All the high volume manufacturers of consumer products are the same. Even the toy makers.

Although, since I happen to be closer to Ford information I will offer you an article about the Pinto. As follows:

http://www.fortune.com/fortune/fortu...184-14,00.html

**Stefrobrts** · 06-19-2005, 10:29 PM

I think my dissapointment is not only in Ford (and other companies that do the same) but even more in our government agencies that are supposed to protect consumers and let the companies get away with making these deals. I am not one of those people who thinks the government should fix everything for us, but this is one area where they can provide a real service, and I think they bargan and make deals to protect companies, protect jobs, and sell out the consumers in the process.

C Johnson · 06-20-2005, 02:06 AM

Do you think this would apply to my 1995 ? With the front disk rotors that are too thin to keep from warping ?

driftwood · 06-20-2005, 05:41 AM

C Johnson,

A very common problem. You have to go a loooong way to find a dealer that will get approval to re-fit new brakes under the original or ESP extended warranty.

I've owned 4 Excursions & one F-250 since 2000 ... each one had this rotor warp problem.

The one possible correction I have heard of is to utilize the proper tightening sequence and insure that each lug is brought up tight then sequenced to 165 ft pounds of torque.

As you are aware, most tire stores do not even think of a tightening sequence. Just a pit stop for them.

Don't know if this will help, but I suppose its worth a try.

Otherwise when you go for replacements you may want to go the Cryogenic route. See: http://www.frozenrotors.com/

Good luck!

overlander63 · 06-20-2005, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Johnson

Do you think this would apply to my 1995 ? With the front disk rotors that are too thin to keep from warping ?

It may apply to your 1995, but don't expect any recall notices for it, you will most likely have to get it taken care of yourself.
The warped front rotor problem has been around for a very long time. That, and the rotor wear problem have been covered on other threads pretty extensively, but the Reader's Digest version is: Ford used smaller rotors than they should have, made from cheaper, softer steel in them, to make the rotors lighter and cheaper.

**Stefrobrts** · 06-20-2005, 09:02 AM

I hadn't heard about the rotor problem. The rotors on my 95 Mustang warped at 60k, and the 95 E150 is starting to show signs of it also. Good job there, Ford...

Silvertwinkie · 06-20-2005, 09:09 AM

Have you driven a Ford.......lately!

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if it weren't for my Ford, my tools would rust.

In all seriousness, every vehicle has some issues from all manufacs, it's just that I can't pass up a good Ford hit when the opp presents itself.

GM had the Corvair and the side saddle gas tanks...Ford had the Pinto, the Firestone issue that was never really fully understood how the Explorer, above all others had higher failure rates, this brake issue....while I'm not even gonna get into the Dodge cause I don't consider them a domestic anymore, let alone a real competitor to GM and Ford (kind of like the Ralph Nader in political circles), particularly in the transmission department. Folks know how I feel about Fords, but I'd buy a Ford before a Dodge....sorry Mopar fans, the 60s are over.