ENGINE FIRE caused by speed control 96WS

[turqb1]

96 windstar intermittent cruise contol

Was told at the local Ford place the control motor unit often goes bad at several hundred dollars so I decided to use the gas petal the old fashoned way

My wife was in Wendys drive through motor running idle when a cloud of white plastic smelling smoke issued from under the car (engine fans running)

Wendys manager was worried her store would burn

Wife got to parking lot shut off car and beat a retreat

Fire did go out on its own

Turns out there is a hydraulic switch on the bottom of the brake master cylinder in the engine compartment just in front of the driver

Switch sends a shutdown signal to the speed control when you step on the brake

If the switch diaphram or seal leaks the brake fluid conducts some of the 12 volts present on the switch, makes the cruise control go funky, and eventually starts a fire - big or small just by luck

I had no idea brake fluid would start an electrical fire

Ford dealer parts says recall on some models explorer and such (web shows many unhappy people with things, like houses, and vehicles burned worse than mine) - but identical part on a windstar ford thinks is ok - so I bought a new model switch kit with connector and seal upgrade for 23 bucks or so

Cruise control works great now

Moral of the story - if your cruise control acts funky get your switch changed before you park near any flammable structures AND BE PREPARED FOR AN ENGINE FIRE at any time

Hope this reaches you in time to do some good

[wiswind]

Pictures of switch, and replacement on '96 at http://community.webshots.com/album/201931518cScpNK

Replacement of switch is cheap, and very easy.

[floridatgp]

THis sounds like the same switch that the re-call on explores and f150 truck have. Is the circuit hot when the Van is off? i.e do we have fire potential when van is not running.....

[floridatgp]

A story on the F150 re-calls talks about just putting a fuse in line with the switch. If I knew what amp fuse to use I would consider doing this.

[wiswind]

I would replace the switch with the new "hopefully improved" switch....if it has not already been done.

[mwhit67]

Had the same fire with our 97 windstar. White, plastic smelling smoke from the left side of engine. After the fire department put the fire out, we could see it had damaged our wiring harness. Van in the shop on and off for the last two months. What a nightmare. According to Ford, they were sorry to hear of our problem, but the incidence of fire in the Windstars is not as high as the other models they recalled and are not recalling windstars at this time. Hey Ford, thanks for making us never want to buy another of your products again. They did say they would speak with our insurance company. I want my two hundred deductible back!!! So far the damage has gone over 2700.00. Wiring,alternator, battery, and still waiting for a new computer that hopefully with correct the check engine light that's on for no reason. There is also something going on with the abs/brake light and when I almost come to a complete stop the brakes seem to release and grab and then almost lock up! Ford needs to take action on this problem. I don't think I'll hold my breath!!!