1989 Ford Bronco II electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1989 FORD BRONCO II, SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN OUR GARAGE 8/23/02. I WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN TAYLOR TEXAS, VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WHEREBY IT BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEWAY REPLACEMENT. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE DECLINING THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THE CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUESTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT FORD BROADEN THE SCOPE OF IT'S RECALL BASED UPON THE NHTSA FINDINGS 4/25/96 RECALL #96V071000 OR THE FORD RECALL RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH . *NM *JB *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10136250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE BATTERY IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY IS HELD IN PLACE BY A SMALL INEFFECTIVE RETAINER THAT ONLY COVERS AN EDGE OF THE BATTERY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE BATTERY. IN ADDITION, THIS RETAINER DOES NOT OFTEN FIT REPLACEMENT BATTERIES PROPERLY. THE POSITIVE LEAD ON THE BATTERY IS CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY ON THE SIDE OF THE BATTERY THAT IS DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THESE TWO DESIGN FLAWS WORK TOGETHER TO CAUSE A SITUATION WHICH CAN EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, WHICH SHOULD BE VERY TYPICAL, THE BATTERY HOLD DOWN BRACKET DID NOT HOLD THE BATTERY IN PLACE. DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THE BATTERY SHIFTED JUST A FEW INCHES TOWARD THE FENDER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE POSITIVE TERMINAL OF THE BATTERY TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FENDER, THUS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO "SHORT TO GROUND". THE RESULT OF THIS OCCURANCE WAS THAT MY ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS WAS SHORTED, BURNED AND DESTROYED. THE CABLES THAT RELEASE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND HOOD WERE SHORTED AND THE EXTERIOR COATING BEGAN TO BURN. OTHER PLASTIC PARTS OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BURN AND FLAMES "SHOT OUT" FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPATMENT AREA. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE HOOD RELEASE LEVER TO TRY AND CONTAIN THE FIRE, THE CABLE PULLED LOOSE DUE TO THE IMMEDIATE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE "SHORT TO GROUND" AND THE RESULTANT FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE HOOD FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THEN I PULLED THE BATTERY FROM THE FENDER TO STOP THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. FINALLY, I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH DIRT AND SAND FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA. THE FIRE AND SHORT CAUSED $4000 TO $5000 IN ACTUAL DAMAGE TO INCLUDE FIRE DAMAGE TO THE PAINT ON MY HOOD AND FENDER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE HOWEVER. IMAGINE IF THIS OCCURED WHILE A PARENT WAS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE WITH THEIR CHILD OR PET INSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #728041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE PLUG CONNECTOR AT THE ALTERNATOR, CAUSED ALTERNATOR TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #825004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE DASH AREA TO CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #808243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WIRES IN STEERING COLUMN SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #507552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #983372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FIRE TOTALED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #983111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.