bronco fire problem

I own a 1996 Eddi Bauer Edition bronco. Anyone heard of the cruise control switch on the master cylinder causing fires? I've researched it on the internet and seen that this has been a problem. Does anyone know if this is true? I could replace the switch but who's to say it's not the same thing...does anyone know if there is a special switch to replace it with? The problem is over time the hydrolic fluid will start leaking inside the switch which will cause it to short and ignite. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If anybody knows of any bronco specialists that might know about this problem and could give me their number I'd appreciate it.

Great topic to bring up. Sounds like something the manufacturers like to keep quiet.

So far it sounds like you are the expert on this subject. If your research shows this to be a problem, I would contact your nearest Ford dealer and see if Ford has come out with a change to corret the hazard. You are right in assuming that simply putting a new switch in only leaves you with the same problem, unless they have done something to correct it. Older systems used a vacuum dump switch attached to the brake pedal to cut out the Speed Control. It dumps the vacuum to the servo.

In looking at the diagram for the newer Speed Control, I see this switch and the circuit it is in, is used to power the Servo Clutch powered by fuse 13. Also I see that they no longer use the vacuum dump switch which did the same thing to the servo. Not sure why they did this, since I've never heard of a problem with the old method, probably, (that's "prolly" for you Texas boys /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> ), to make it more electronically sophisticated. There is still a electrical switch at the brake pedal to signal the Speed Control Servo/Amplifier Assembly when the brakes are applied and the one on the master cylinder is indicated as a redundant safety feature, in other words either switch is supposed to disconnect the Speed Control. Sounds to me like it is actually a hazard device. In my observation over the years, the more electronically dependent a system is the higher the failure rate. In this case potentially deadly to the occupants of the vehical.

Any facts that anyone has on this subject would be appreciated. Keep us posted on anything new you come up with.

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do you know what year they made the change from the vacuum dump?

do you know what year they made the change from the vacuum dump?

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1995 see post http://broncozone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4889&hl=

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One thing I forgot to mention...the switch has constant power from the battery. These fires have started when the vehicle isn't even running. One poor guy got a call from his neighbor in the middle of the night telling him his bronco was on fire (it was a '96). His bronco had been parked for 8 hours.

My 94 xlt didn't catch fire but it melted the the front of the master. I seen it on the news where they were talking about the f150's doing it but haven't seen anything else on it.

Ford recalled all 94-96 Broncos with cruis control due to the deactivation switch causing a spark which could hit leaking brake fluid and cause a fire. It has happened before.

take her to the dealer, since there is a recall they SHOULD fix it free of charge