I had no idea this thread on this subject even existed until I heard the news reports. I submitted my own story last Feb on how my son's F-150 suddenly burst into flames at 2:00 am one Sunday morning while parked in front of the house. (Thankfully on the street!) Here are those photos: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...12221579STOEau

Now, I wonder if we can nail Ford for the out of pocket expenses the insurance company didn't cover?

 

You squeeze them together. It may be a little hesitant to move, but keep in mind this is probably the first time that switch has ever been disconnected, so bear with it, but you squeeze the tabs inward to unhook it.

 

thanks for the picture!!! helps alot racerguy

 

Finally Ford will have to admit there is a problem but only on the 2000 year model.

What about my 1998 F-150 that filled my garage with smoke over night. It's not just the 2000 model. I replaced the switch but is the new one safe.

I would change the switch again if a new switch will fix the problem.

I ideas or more information would be appreciated.

 

You can call and see if the part numbers are the same for the years. If they are, then most likely they are the same switch.

 

what about 01...are they part of the recall because my CC doesn't work sometimes and i did notice a hot smell every once and a while a couple months ago

 

Take it in right away. That is the reason for the recall and the warning signs of the potential fires according to one of the articals I read on it. What the dealer will do is disconnect the CC until they get a new switch for you then they will put a new switch in for you.

 

Only the Super Crew cab in '01 is covered by the recall. They would do it, but they would charge you for it.

Simply disconnect the connector at the mc switch and look inside to see if it is dry. If it is bone dry, put it back together. Yours is not identified as one with the bad switches. It doesn't hurt to do periodic inspection for the safety of it.

Good luck,
Doc

 

I Unhooked My Switch Today And There Was No Fluid Inside. It Will Stay Unhooked Until Ford Advises Me Of The Recall And The Status Of The Parts. Better Safe With No Cruise Than Sorry With A Melted Hunk Of Truck. Keep In Mind, The Switch Is Similar In Appearance To Some Superduty's. So Far It's Unclear If It Was Just A Bad Batch Of Switches Or If It Will Affect All Models. Keep Your Fingers Crossed.

 

Today at the dealership I work at we got the recall notice from Ford. I performed the first one in our shop today. We are to unplug the connector, tape it up to keep dirt etc out of it and tie-strap it to keep it from dangling. The new switches are supposed to be out in April.
It only takes a few minutes to do the recall but your dealer might need it longer depending on how their schedule is.

 

I am starting to read PANIC on this site and another Ford site. DON'T PANIC! It is VERY simple to simply disconnect the connector that is in Racerguys drawing and look into the switch to see if it is dry. Anybody can do it.

Even if you don't have a 2000 model, disconnect and see if the switch is dry. If you are really a paranoid type, then just leave it disconnected. As Racerguy said, you should tape it up so it will stay clean.

DON'T PANIC, BE CALM!

 

MBDiagMan,

Yes, there was enough brake fluid pooled in the connector on the sensor for the connector to drip brake fluid when I removed it. The connector was not melted on either the sensor or the lead and I noticed no arc marks or burn marks. Also, the 20A fuse was not blown. But, you're right, I probably did get lucky.

I had noticed cruise control stopped working last week, when I was going to work and tried to activate it to avoid getting a speeding ticket :-). It didn't work and I mentioned it to my partner. Thursday night, she was watching the news and they said that all of the fires to date were preceeded by cruise control failing. So, I then figured out how disable it.

I cleaned the connector as well as I could (it's hard to do, because it's a narrow female connector) and then taped it up with electrical tape. Then I tie strapped the connector to cruise control throttle control cable (dunno the precise name - it's what the servos use to transfer power to the throttle adjustment located new the right head). I did this to point it away from the wheel well, which from the stories I read also plays a role. The connector is about halfway between the master cylinder and the power steering reservior. If it catches and drips now, hopefully it will drip flaming plastic on something that's not flammable.

I then wrapped some electrical tape around the connector on the sensor and put a tie strap on to hold it in place. This is to keep the dirt out. Eventually, whenever they release a non-defective sensor, I'll end up swapping them out. Ford, being the cheapskates they are, will probably not cover my 2001 Supercab, so I'll probably have to foot the ~$30 for the sensor.

Anyways, just to be on the safe side, I am conciously parking it away from the house, just in case. But I think I've reduced the risk quite a bit. Your mileage might vary. I actually thought at one point about just cutting the connector off and taping them up, and then replacing it when I buy the fixit kit (I think it comes with a replacement connector which gets spliced in).

BTW, here are the stats:

4.6L V8
2001 Ford Supercab XLT
Approx. 74,000 miles.
Automatic Transmission (but don't know which one?)
*** I think it was manufactured in 2000 and sold in 2001? It is a 2001 model year, however.

I will try to post any part numbers I can read from the sensor. I don't see a reason why Ford would fundamentally change a minor sensor when the whole truck's design is basically the same, so I think this is probably exactly the same sensor as 2000 models. Didn't the previous last redesign happen in 1996 or 1997?

 

With your cable taped and tied away from the switch, there is absolutely no need to park the truck away from the house. You have disabled the possibility for a fire. You did exactly what the dealer would have done.

Now just sit tight 'til they get the new switches in April.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

I disconnected mine just in case since mine is parked in garage. Mines a 2002 and was dry but I don't use CC much so better safe then sorry

 

I'm visiting from the Expedition/Navigator Forum. I have a 2002 Navigator and it has what appears to the be same switch. I know Ford has not included 02s in its recall but I can't imagine that the 02s have an updated version of the switch. What gives?

I did check the switch and it appears to be completely dry. No signs of brake fluid.

JAMES.