Brake Pressure switch recall

[kevink1955]

We all know that most ford light trucks except the Windstar have been recalled for the brake pressure switch located on the master cylinder that may short out and cause a fire. The vehicles could burn at any time (did not need to be runing) as the switch was always live. Ford came out with an add on harness that contains a fusable link that was suposed to blow if the switch shorted out.

THERE IS NOW A RECALL FOR THE RECALL!!! It seems that Ford put the fusable link on the wrong wire, they put it on the output side of the switch not the input that is always live even with the key off. The recall did nothing to protect from a switch failure.

I was looking to add a fuse to the switch on my 96 Windstar when I found some information in the service manual and the EVTM that is in conflict. Page 10-03-3 of the service manual shows the "brake deactivator switch" wired so it is always hot(fuse 12-15A).

It says refer to EVTM manual "CELL 31 for more info". The EVTM (Page 31-2) shows the power comes from fuse 30-25A and is marked as "Hot in Run"

So which one is it, is the switch always hot or does it go on and off with the key. I wanted to check but the van is out of town till mid week so I cannot check it.

If it is on a fuse that is only hot in run this may be why our vehicles where not included in the recall. Ford is more worried about a vehicle that can burn at any time, like in garage and kill someone in the house (this has happened) than a vehicle that is only a hazzard when driven.

I am going to check as soon as the van returns, has anyone else checked on where the power for this switch comes from??

[tripletdaddy]

FWIW The wiring diagram in my Haynes manual also has the brake pressure switch on fuse 30 - 25A, hot only in run. I will check my van later.

A recall on a recall, that's rich! Boy that's one H of a screw up on Ford's part to design a repair to an enormous fire hazard and get the wires crossed so that the hazard still exists!?! Duh!!! Geeze, they only had a 50 50 chance to get it right!?! Somebody was asleep. I'll have to harass the electrical engineers I know about this.

[wiswind]

At this point, the windstar is NOT included in the recall.
HOWEVER, it is something that needs to be watched, as it is a problem on the windstar.
I replaced mine a long time ago.....and I don't know that there is even a fuse at all in the harness that I got.....or if the switch is greatly improved over the original.
It has not leaked yet....but, as I have advised others, I look at it each time I am looking under the hood.
The repair is cheap and easy.....If they have the switch in stock.

[CnlK]

Was wondering if anybody knows what model years have been blessed with this leaky brake pressure switch? I have a 2000 with 109K and no leaks.

[northern piper]

I have a 2000 LX 3.8 that does have a bit of a slow drip. I've just bought but not installed the replacement. I'm not too concerned about the fuse and more interested in making sure it doesn't leak!

Piper

[kevink1955]

Got to check mine out, the 12 volts does go off with the key so the EVTM manual is right. It's leaking so I unpluged it till I can get a replacment.

I would advise the other poster who said his is leaking to unlpug it also, the only thing you loose is the cruse control

[wiswind]

YES......if it is leaking....unplug it!!!!!....until you get a new switch in there.....
Even if it has been replaced......monitor it to see if it leaks.
Loosing cruise control is better than a fire.

[mundy5]

I was just about to do the repair for the brake pressure switch when I realized that I was replacing the exact same design. So to partially answer your question, CnlK, my 2003 LX model apparently has the redesigned brake pressure switch. I had called the ford dealer not long after I bought it after seeing an episode on 20/20. They told me that mine had the new design already in it. It has a nice rubber gasket and the larger bolt that holds it instead of the little tiny guy without a black rubber gasket. So I'm going to hold onto this for a little while but maybe I'll just sell it or return it to a local ford dealer. Never did open the package. I ordered it along with the HVAC actuator so the shipping was spread out over 2 items hence very reasonable.

[CnlK]

Thanks mundy5, the redesign must have occured post 2000. I'll keep an eye on the switch for leaks.

[PBZX3]

My 2000 Windstar cruise control stopped working. Vehicle has 115,000 mi. I checked my deactivator switch and sure enough, it was wet with brake fluid. I checked the voltage at the control module and it was always 4.5 volts whether the brake pedal was engaged or not. Replaced deactivator. Works like a champ again.

I love this web site.