Replaced brake light fuse...short causing fire?? Update, getting closer...

[Bannonjr]

Hi guys.

So this is the story...

93 ATX

Stuck in park, so I thought of the brake switch. I got one, but it looked different from what is in the car.

I searched the forums, and with your results, I checked and had no brake lights.
Checked the fuse, (#1 Light Blue 15) and sure enough it was blown. I put a new 15 in and it blew right away.

I put another 15 in and it blew right away. Looked for exposed wires and couldn't find anything.

I was out of 15's so I popped in a 30. Now, the second I started the car, smoke billowed out of the engine bay, the car was only on for 3-5 seconds, but it made enough smoke to fill my garage. So naturally I suspect a short.

There was too much smoke coming from the drivers side engine bay that I could not identify where it came from. The car still starts and runs fine, just no brake lights and can't get out of park.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Bannonjr]

Ok, update...

I took a 15 out of my jeep, I plugged it in and out real quick as I'm not a fireman and do not enjoy fighting fires.

I found the smoke coming from a connector under the master cylinder. It is all wet with brake fluid.

I'm guessing it's a switch and I can unscrew it and replace it and I do not have to replace my master cylinder??? Please????

The harness is all melted and what not, does anyone know which it controls? Cruise Control maybe?

 

[Bannonjr]

Ok, I think it's the brake de-activation for the cruise control.

So...anyone got a part number....or, I'm on a roll I guess I'll figure it out myself lol...

 

[St Louis SHO]

Thats it, yes. Tow it to the dealer. They should fix it free if the recall hasnt been performed.

 

[Bannonjr]

Ha! I just in the last couple days got a recall for the "Speed Control System Modification"

05S28

Could this be it?

 

[hawkeye18]

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=76641

Also, there is a reason they say don't replace fuses with higher-amperage fuses. This is why. You should count yourself very lucky that you didn't lose your entire car.

 

[hawkeye18]

Ha! I just in the last couple days got a recall for the "Speed Control System Modification"

05S28

Could this be it?

If this isn't irony, I don't know what is.

Yes. That's the one.

 

[Bannonjr]

The things we learn eh...when I saw the recall I was pretty sure it was just the cruise control, which I didn't ignore, but it's not on the top of my list of thing's to do...it just all clicked a minute ago with that post lol...

I'm aware about replacing a fuse with a higher rating, and the dangers that come with it...

So sweet, I'll call Ford and catch an appt tomorrow, I'll let you know if anything else exciting happens...

 

[hawkeye18]

FWIW, you can simply disconnect that switch under the master cylinder in order to replace the fuse. It does not affect normal function of the car, and you need brake lights.

 

[Bannonjr]

Yea, I just did that in order to drive it over to ford, took it for a spin, all is normal...

Thanks guys...SHOForum wins again!

 

[tompumped]

Wow that is luck. I'd be very happy right now you still have your car, and your garage (if it's parked inside). From what I hear brake fluid is pretty flammable.

I have never done it, nor am I suggesting it, but if I had a real hard time finding a short i'd put a higher amp fuse in and wait for the smoke. With a fire extinguisher in hand.

 

[Bannonjr]

Well, look, it didn't burst into flames or anything, but it did what I wanted..smoked to find the problem...just for a second I kept the fuse in, just to see where it came from...

But you're right, I don't suggest it, but it is a line of course when your stumped.

 

[hawkeye18]

Well as long as you did it with the expectation that you'd keep it in there just long enough to find the problem, then it's ok. It's just the people that plan on using that 30A fuse forever that worry me...

 

[Guido0136]

Check out the new sticky that covers 93-95 ATX's. One of the symptoms is not being able to move it out of park. Check it out!

 

[Eric VerValin]

I'm aware about replacing a fuse with a higher rating, and the dangers that come with it.....

So why do it? LoL... You are pretty crazy man... I seen someone try that with a peice of wire... problem is... it might smoke there where, but its melting all down that wire too. If it would have shorted out inside the harness, and started melting other ones, you can't pull fuses fast enough.

Then imagine it burning up behind the dash... lol get a fire extinguisher in there...

People putting larger fuses in things will happen forever. That's why they changed the fuse style in electrical panels. Wayyyy too many fires from people just plugging in a larger one. I'm suprised they don't make different sizes or pin / blade configurations so you cant get them mixed up.

Sorry I'm an electrician, I had to pick on ya... I woulda slapped ya, but your too far away.. Just run down to the dealer and have em fix it... I hear it dosen't take too long... while your there, test drive the 2010. And stop tryin to set your car on fire...


:wave:

 

[Bannonjr]

This was all before I knew what the problem was...it's nice to say after the fact "don't do that!" but hey...I needed to get it done....

I did take it in for the recall...looks like they just replaced the wiring harness and not the actual switch that screws into the master cylinder...my appt was at 10am, and at 10:11am I was getting a coffee at the drivethrough on my way home lol....never got such fast service!

 

[GoofSHO]

My understanding is....They don't have a 'fix' for the switch yet. Right now all they do is unplug it, so they don't catch fire, and wait. Nice to hear they at least have the harnesses. Hopefully they figure out something sooner than later, my Son has a 95 ATX.

 

[Bannonjr]

I'll snap a pic after and post it...

 

[hawkeye18]

Of course there's a "fix" for the switch. It's called f*#%ing replacing it. Why the **** Ford wouldn't replace a switch that's bad is beyond me. If you look at the thread I posted, the second to last post tells you the part number to get for a new switch; then you won't have this problem any more.

 

[Bannonjr]

Yea, I think I'm just gonna go get it...replace it and be done with it..