Hey, I just signed up the other day here. Good site and forum so far.

Just wondering if anyone out threre has had problems with their ignition switch and turn signal switch before. Last year, there was smoke and electrical burning smell coming from out of my hazard lights button. Turns out I had to get those two switches replaced. And now, a year later, I saw some of the same smoke and my signals malfunctioned temporarily for a second!!! Wondering if this is the dreaded Ford wiring system muck ups i've heard about before.

Thanks.
Ninety-Niner.

 

Never had any problems with mine, and I would think if there was something going on that was bad enough to burn, it would blow the big fuse under the hood. There's only 2 screws holding the plastic cover on the steering column, so it's easy enough to take off & look at. I would start there. Look for pinched, nicked, etc. wires, anything that would compromise the insulation. If they had to replace the switches, it would have been for a reason, which they should have looked for at the time.

 

Hey 99 I am having the same problem. I also had mine supposedly fixed about 14 months ago. This morning I am sitting at the bus stop with the hazzards on waiting for my daughters bus. I put her on the bus and get back in my truck and push the hazzard button in to turn it off and poof a puff of smoke came out. I am going back in tomorrow to have it looked at since I do not want to take any chances. Especially with my two kids in the truck. It really sucks since I spoke to the service department and the repairs were only good for 12 months or 12,000 miles. Well, wouldn't you know it it's now 14 months. Just grand. The first time I had the problem was the same thing and I thought nothing of it but when I used my turn signal it started up again. I would like to know what your repair shop told you as far as why it happened to you again. Why did they not fix it properly the first time?? That is what I will be asking and possibly filing a complaint to my region and perhaps Ford headquarters as well. I'm not a very happy camper right now since I think I will have to pay more dollars for this again!!! By the way my Explorer is a 99 as well. A V8.

 

the multi function switch on my 97 (also includes the hazzard button in the assembly) went bad recently... from this board it would appear as a common failure... I would also say that it seems pretty common as Advance Auto has a non-Ford replacement part (I can not imagine anyone would make a part like that unless the volume sales were there!). In any case, three screws to pop the columnb covers off and two screws for the switch itself.... removed the harnesses, re-attach them to the new switch assembly, reinstall and you are done. Took me about 45 mins to get it all done in the cold last night... would have been quicker if it were not for the gloves.

 

Here's a link to a thread with pics on how to replace the multifunction switch. I did it a couple weeks ago and it's easy if you follow these steps. http://www.offroadrangers.com/forums...ad.php?t=19468

 

Sorry, that link in jacked try this one....

http://www.offroadrangers.com/forums...ad.php?t=19468

 

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