I have wondered how to post this...
I had a 95 Bronco which I took care of very well.
I always checked for Recalls but none were out there...

After explaining my loss to a guy from Autozone (who happened to own a Bronco) he notified me of a TSB.
He said a few Bronco's have burnt due to a defective Ignition Switch.
I did a search and found a link to other Bronco's who have burnt.


I believe that this issue is true.
Has anybody heard of this or experienced it?

Pic of Burnt Bronco.
www.geocities.com/gibalriz

Stranger

 

The alternator shorting and causing a fire is real, it happened to me and my neighbor.
Pam

 

Here is the link to some ugly stories...


http://www.mycarstats.com/console.asp?cars=1290203

 

I had 2 alternators catch fire in my f150, I finally upgraded to the newer style. The plug in the alternator cant handle the current.

 

unexplained fires are a matter for the courts.

Canyonero!
Canyonero!
Canyonero,,.

 

Has this happened to only specific years of Bronco's and F-150's?

Kim
1996 Bronco 302, 5-speed manual

 

The alternator with the external fan is the bad one, I "think" 97 is when they changed to the new internal fan design. in 200k miles Ive only replaced the new style once, I think I replaced 6 of the old ones 2 of which caught on fire. If you go to an alternator/starter shop they can hook you up,They will know what your talking about.The place I went to wouldn't even sell the old style.

 

How do I know what alternator I have?
Does anybody have any TSB numbers? I called FORD and they couldn't find anything on the ignition switch TSB.

Somebody from AutoZone told me it was all over the news. (The ignition switch/fire problem).

Stranger

 

Try this link. You will have to register but it's free. This is for 1990 - 2004 vehicles.

http://www.mycarstats.com/auto_TSBs/FORD_TSBs.asp

Good luck,

 

I think I remember the ignition switch TSB, as it covered quite a few Fords - I think it was in the era of 1986-1992 or so, but check the TSB's to make sure. If I'm correct, the faulty switch was the one that's inside the column - it's put together like a relay, with a stamped steel body crimped with tabs over a backing plate. One of the tabs was crimped close to a hot lead on the backing plate, and if the switch loosened up (which they do) the hot lead would ground. Usually the first symptom was burning insulation falling down into the footwell. By that time, you'd be in deep trouble without an extinguisher. As far as the alternators go, you can use the old style if you exercise caution. Ford used two leads to carry the current to the battery, and the leads were small. They'd corrode, and removing or disturbing the connector was enough to degrade the contact - a poor contact in this circuit heated up and caused the connector to catch on fire. The rule of thumb is to replace the connector if it is removed/disturbed at all. Period. Ford and the auto parts stores carry them - it's the rectangular three wire connector on the back of the alternator. Use dielectric grease when installing the new connector to eliminate the possibility of corrosion - you'll be all set. The 3G alternator swap is popular, and it eliminates the troublesome connector.

 

Where do I find this TSB?
The link on the Right Menu "Recall/TSB" doesn't have it listed...

Stranger

 

I have the TSB number at my house. I just went to Ford on Thursday and had mine replaced. I will post the number when I get off of work tonight.

 

pOST A ADD i THOUG HT i REMEMBER PEOPLE LOOKING FOR PARTS if ya wanna part it out you migh t be able to make some money out o f your loss

 

post some pics of it in your gallery for us to see what ya got

 

Added heartbreaking photos to my gallery...
- Stranger