Ford Cruise Control Recall - First hand experience

[OVERKILL]

Friday of last week, my cruise stopped working. Ran the cruise system self-test diagnostic and everything passed, so I knew it wasn't in the wheel or the controller.

On Monday, I decided to change my coolant. While in the process, I noticed the top of the brake pressure cruise shut-off switch appeared wet, and the rubber plug that sits in the top of the connector was pushed up.... I pressed down on it and brake fluid shot out of it!

Well that explained the malfunctioning cruise.

Went to Ford yesterday, ordered a new part. Cost was an incredible $11.00.

First thing I noticed.... It looked NOTHING like the original. And comes with an adapter harness. Here is the new switch, and adapter harness:

Here is the old switch removed:

The old switch, FULL of brake fluid after removing the connector:

The connector, soaked in brake fluid:

The new switch, with adapter harness, tie-wrapped to the already in place recall harness with in-line fuse. Big 'ol bundle of wires.

 

[SLCraig]

Does that switch detect change in brake fluid to disable cruise (or limit ability to enable)?

I wasn't familiar they had such a design. I always thought the switch just tapped into the brake pedal switch.

I love when a good fix is next to free... Very nice.

 

[tig1]

That recall has been out for some time now. My old 96 Merc amd 2000 Ranger both were replaced under the recall.

 

[OVERKILL]

It is a pressure switch that sits in the end of the master cylinder. When you push the brake pedal, it turns the cruise control off.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: tig1
That recall has been out for some time now. My old 96 Merc amd 2000 Ranger both were replaced under the recall.


I had the recall done back when we first bought the truck. Hence the in-line fuse harness that the new harness connects to. But this is my first time actually experiencing the REASON for the recall: the failure of the pressure switch assembly.

 

[IntegraVT]

I'm surprised they charged you for the part; isn't this the recall where the switch can short, overheat and potentially cause an engine fire?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: IntegraVT
I'm surprised they charged you for the part; isn't this the recall where the switch can short, overheat and potentially cause an engine fire?


That's what the recall harness was for (there are now TWO adapter harnesses connected to the original). It has a fuse to prevent the risk of fire from the switch failing.

The recall of course was free. This is simply a revised pressure switch; probably MUCH less likely to fail. Perhaps bdcardinal can shed some light on the revised part?

 

[Bob Woods]

For years the BOO switch worked, why did they have to change it.

 

[Johnny]

And what hours are your Ford garage opened. Might be worth a trip to Ontario for switch replacement and a Molson.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Johnny
And what hours are your Ford garage opened. Might be worth a trip to Ontario for switch replacement and a Molson.

Any time is fine by me Johnny

 

[JimPghPA]

Originally Posted By: IntegraVT
I'm surprised they charged you for the part; isn't this the recall where the switch can short, overheat and potentially cause an engine fire?


+1 About it causing engine fires. The old design would sometimes burn down the car, and if it was in a garage attached to a house, that would go with it. This was a big problem, and it should of been replaced before this.

You are lucky that when the switch failed you did not have a fire.

 

[bdcardinal]

Once the recall is performed with either the Universal Fused Jumper Harness (UFJH) or the Speed Control Deactivation Switch (SCDS) the recall is closed and no additional work will be performed under the recall. When you replace a UFJH with a SCDS you remove the UFJH and throw it away. The SCDS is only replaced under the recall if it is leaking or on certain vehicle applications.

 

[bdcardinal]

There have been cars and trucks that have burned and Ford did not cover any damage. Ford provided 6 letters that were sent to the owner informing them of the risk and the recall to come in.

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: Bob Woods
For years the BOO switch worked, why did they have to change it.


You really have to wonder why Ford did not use the universal break pedal position sensor like every other automaker in the world uses? You need that for lots of functions such as brake light, automatic gear interlock, ECM control, cruise control etc...

Also wouldn't a good pressure sensor be more expensive than simple position sensor?

- Vikas

 

[AuthorEditor]

I took my '95 Grand Marquis in for the recall and they used the UFJH, but the repair failed after a couple of months. I didn't feel like worrying about a car fire so I asked around on here, got the right part number, ordered from Rock Auto and replaced the switch and wire harness. Works perfectly.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
Originally Posted By: IntegraVT
I'm surprised they charged you for the part; isn't this the recall where the switch can short, overheat and potentially cause an engine fire?


+1 About it causing engine fires. The old design would sometimes burn down the car, and if it was in a garage attached to a house, that would go with it. This was a big problem, and it should of been replaced before this.

You are lucky that when the switch failed you did not have a fire.


Missed the part about already having the recall, with the jumper harness installed back when we bought the vehicle I assume?

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Once the recall is performed with either the Universal Fused Jumper Harness (UFJH) or the Speed Control Deactivation Switch (SCDS) the recall is closed and no additional work will be performed under the recall. When you replace a UFJH with a SCDS you remove the UFJH and throw it away. The SCDS is only replaced under the recall if it is leaking or on certain vehicle applications.


So was I supposed to remove the jumper harness? there was no documentation saying to do so... I now have the recall jumper harness, AND the new pressure switch on there.......

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Once the recall is performed with either the Universal Fused Jumper Harness (UFJH) or the Speed Control Deactivation Switch (SCDS) the recall is closed and no additional work will be performed under the recall. When you replace a UFJH with a SCDS you remove the UFJH and throw it away. The SCDS is only replaced under the recall if it is leaking or on certain vehicle applications.


So was I supposed to remove the jumper harness? there was no documentation saying to do so... I now have the recall jumper harness, AND the new pressure switch on there.......


There is a tag on the harness that says if the fuse blows to remove the harness and replace with the 9F924 SCDS.

 

[OVERKILL]

Oh wow, really? LOL, I'll have to look. Any harm in having them in series?

The new part is SW-6350

 

[OVERKILL]

bdcardinal:

I checked the other harness, and you are correct, it gives a replacement part #, which is the same as you've given, and is also cited on the bag for the new part # got.

I have removed the fused harness, and now the wiring looks a lot cleaner, LOL.

And of course, my cruise works again as well.

-Chris