1997 Ford Explorer electrical problems

Filed Apr 12, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 175,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

My lights don't work stabilizing bar is bad,speed control dose not work security key code not working,door controls do not work.wiper work sometimes.ball joint are bad, tires wearing bad,,bushings are very bad.transmission is starting to slip,all wheel drive does not work, it grinding sound.heaf light only brights work.

Filed Apr 3, 2017 · Electrical · CA

I recently found out my vehicle has an open recall regarding the possible leakage of the speed control deactivation switch, which could cause a fire whether the vehicle is running or not. The ford manufacturer's recall #09s09 and the federal safety agency recall #09v399000. This is still an open recall.I contacted ford recall center today and they are refusing to remedy this hazardous recall due to the age of the recall and the age and miles of my vehicle. This is a safety issue and ford should fix it as bodily injury or even possible death could occur if this recall is not remedied. My vehicle is running properly for the moment but since this is a safety issue, ford motor co. Should be required to fix it no matter the age of my vehicle.

Filed Dec 29, 2016 · Electrical · 220,000 miles · NC · fire

On december 23rd, 2016 I was coming home from work around 6:00 pm. My car was a 1997 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. I had just gotten off of the highway and turned onto my road when I began to smell smoke, so, I pulled off into an empty parking lot beside a walking trail. I could tell that it was an electrical fire, but, it took me quite a while to figure out where it was coming from. I checked under the hood - but nothing seemed to be wrong there. Then, I got back into the car and the smoke kept getting heavier. I began feeling around for something that was hot. I checked the dash, the vents, the steering wheel, the seats - almost everything before I checked the center computer console. In the middle of my car - directly under the radio - there is a computer module that displays the gas mileage, oil status, and if there is a problem with the lights on the car. The module had recently started displaying a "check headlamps" message. Well - I had done so and they were working fine - so I did not think anything of it. Turns out that the fire had started under the center computer module. I guess that the car should have blown a fuse but instead - started a fire. I tried to rip the cover and the console up - but it was screwed down and I had no luck. At that point, the flames started to spread very quickly and the entire car went up in flames in a matter of minutes. I called 911 and got as far away as I could with my belongings. The fire truck and fire fighters came within five minutes or so and put out the fire before it reached the gas tank. The bottom half of the car remained untouched, however, the interior was completely destroyed. The seats had burnt off and the steering wheel was completely gone. I'm still in my teenage years - so I did not know how to deal with this situation properly. I am just glad I am alive and that I was able to get out of the car in time.

Filed Jun 30, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 144,000 miles · CA

The 1997 ford explorer 4d eddie bauer edition has a computer controlled message center. The message center controls among other things the vehicle headlights and fog lamps. The light out module (lom) also known as the indicator warning system control is located inside the message center console and runs "hot" in temperature because of a flawed design. The current design leads to internal electrical system failures that result in a loss of the low beam headlights. The system is designed to notify the driver of a headlight or lamp failure, etc, however, the failure of the notification system causes the low beam headlights (and fog lamps as they are on the same circuit) to fail. On june 25, 2014, the second failure of the system occurred (we are the original owners and have previously replaced the indicator warning system control or light out module (lom) at great expense). Ford motor company must recall the 1997 ford explorer eddie bauer edition and any other like designed ford product with a light out module (lom) that fails leaving the driver without low beams and no means of fixing the said defect without an authorized ford dealer's repair (at great expense) that is life threatening in the interim. Such repairs are not possible if on an extended trip in rural settings. The absence of low beam headlights after sunset and before sunrise is life threatening and unacceptable to the occupants of a 1997 ford explorer as well as to pedestrians and other vehicles who cannot see the ford explorer operating without headlights. The corrective solution needs a venting system such that the message center does not continually melt the indicator warning system control or light out module (lom). Thank you for your service and for your prompt attention to this defect requiring a corrective recall.

Filed Jun 28, 2013 · Electrical · 69,600 miles · MI · fire

Approx. 2am, the vehicle caught on fire. Fire dept. Report confirmed electrical fire.

Filed Mar 14, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · NJ · fire

I have no explanation for the fire, the car was parked in my driveway. It had been driven about a block from my home and then it was returned to the driveway. My uncle son sitting in the living room when they heard the car alarm and looked out of the window to see clouds of black smoke coming from the truck. My son attempted to put the fire out but it was to intense, my son called 911. This would have killed someone if they had been in the car. Photos are available. Fire department could not say what caused this fire. The tires even melted. All severe damage was to the front end. The car had not been in any kind of accident, there is no explanation for this fire. Please contact me for photos. Not sure what to do but I need to make sure no families.

Filed Feb 20, 2012 · Electrical · SD

While driving my 1997 ford explorer sport the speedometer would drop to zero and I would not know how fast I am actually driving. The tachometer is also affected and, probably, the odometer. My mechanic has changed the speed sensor but the problem remains. An internet search has turned up numerous complaints of the same issue with the result being a faulty programmable speedometer/odometer module (psom), which is located in the dash. This is a very costly repair. Some individuals are just purchasing GPS units to determine how fast they are driving. It is my opinion that ford knows about this issue and should be required to repair/replace the psom. Aside from the obvious safety problem of not knowing how fast I am driving, this problem also causes the odometer to read incorrectly.

Filed Mar 27, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 158,143 miles · TX · fire

About a mile from an intersection I noticed the check engine light turned on. Approaching the traffic light my brake pedal had lost pressure and went to the floor. I had to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. I noticed some smoke coming from the driver side of the hood but thought it might be from the old pickup truck next to me. The light turned green and the vehicle "sputtered" suffering a loss of horse power but I was able to drive the car about 150 yards and coasted into a gas station where I parked at the far end away from the pumps. At this time I noticed more smoke and flames coming from the driver side of the hood so I went inside to ask for a fire extinguisher but the cashier said he had none. I then asked to him dial 911 because my vehicle was on fire. I went back to my vehicle and removed some paperwork from the seat and waited for help to arrive. I just had the vehicle serviced by covert ford on march 16, 2011 for the factory recall of the speed control deactivation switch, (brake pressure switch) which is what I believe cause the fire. I believe that when I had to pump my brakes to stop the vehicle the brake fluid was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. According to the fire officials at the scene there was no way to determine the point of origin of the fire but the damaged area is right below the brake master cylinder. (I have pictures and video). Thank god there was no other damage to property or lives. I only had liability coverage so I signed the title over to the tow truck driver and lost my transportation. I bought the vehicle on april 19, 1999, took care of it for almost 12 years without incident and a week after having it serviced for a fire safety issue, it caught fire and burned. I put about 100 miles on it after it was serviced by the dealer before the fire began.

Filed Apr 4, 2008 · Electrical · 108,000 miles · NY · fire

Today is the first time since I have owned the truck as I was driving it and started right back up, and about 6 hours later my neighbor noticed my truck on fire. Flames were coming from behind the left front wheel well. My mechanic said looks like e-brake cable started to weld it self and caught the body mount on fire. E-brake cable melted plastic housing inside the truck.

Filed Mar 4, 2008 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · CO

Vehicle started out fine. After a month of driving, far left dash lights died out. Those are the ones illuminating the oil pressure and battery. A few months later, the lights illuminating the speedometer and tachometer died out as well. This is not normal. Personally, I think it might be a short to ground, but I still have yet to find out.