Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
0318109/15/200310004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt11/14/2003
9824612/07/1998604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc03/16/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - ANTI-THEFT CONTROLLER
1215411/01/1998613173Some vehicles equipped with pats (securilock) except certain models now have availability of fleet keys through rotunda. *mjs06/19/2000
9705011063305/01/199752911Ranger equipped with anti-theft may experience the alarm to activate inadvertently. *yc10/30/1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
BC328297020602/06/199751878Gem concern - check for more than one gem controlled component that is inoperative or for a string of false gem dtc's received in memory. *tw07/17/1997
BC424497020102/01/199751841Electronic control modules vary on vehicles based on option content & have different diagnostic code retrieval methods. *jd07/17/1997
9762103/17/199752003Malfunction indicator lamp (mil)- mil lamp illumination with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1405 stored in memory- 2.3l vehicles. *jd07/17/1997
BC336397230101/23/199751449The ngs displays incorrect date for the ing gem pid on the vehicles. *jd06/27/1997
BC102279723001/23/199751590The ngs displays incorrect data for the ign gem pid on the vehicles. *jd06/27/1997
9626512/16/199650991Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) - diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, and/or p0308 stored in memory. *tw06/17/1997
96251112/02/199650968Powertrain control module -reprogram powertrain control module (pcm) - service procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
BC031396110111/01/199650721Check engine light, code p030x, with no driveability complaint. *tw06/17/1997
96251012/02/199650967Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) - diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307 and/or p0308 stored in memory. *tw06/17/1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
9922210/18/19996089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt02/11/2000
9624611/18/199650905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements. *tw06/17/1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
BC069296102310/23/199650364Vehicles may experience unexplained mil light codes &/or irregular shifting (a4ld). *tt04/24/1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
98252604/01/1998603550Some vehicles may experience various concerns such as intermittent windshield wiper operation without command, dome lights remaining on, and/or the door chimes remaing on. *yc02/24/1999
BC074096101810/18/199650383Vehicles experience chaffing on the 14401 wire harness causing the accessory fuses to become open (primarily the cigar fuse. *tt04/24/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
08/06/2011201000
 Overnight the truck started on fire while parked outside without the key in the ignition. damage from the fire was contained to under the dash throughout the electrical components as well as ductwork. it re-ignited and burned after being put out once then after the battery was succesfully disconnected, did not catch fire again.
08/01/2010100000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1996 ford ranger. the contact stated that the windshield wipers would illuminate intermittently while driving obstructing his view. also the interior dome light door ajar alarm would continue to illuminate when the door has been closed intermittently. he also noticed that the electronic over drive would illuminate intermittently. all three electrical failures began approximately five months ago. the dealer and manufacturer informed the contact that his vehicle was not included in the previous recall. the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired due to cost. the current mileages were 107,000 and the failure mileages were 100,000. bw
09/23/2008133001
 Upon entering the veh to go to work we found that one side of the steering column had melted and a burnt odor was detected in the veh. this occurred on the side of the steering column that the cruise feature is located. we talked with another owner of a ranger and he advised us there had been a recall on the ranger truck. we have not received any notification as to the recall and we bought the veh new in 1995. it is a 1996 model. this veh was in good condition before this happened and i would like to know if this can be fixed and what steps to take in order to take care of this problem. *tr
05/11/2007130000101/16/2001
 Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford ranger. while activating the right turn signal, the contact heard an electrical crackling sound in the dashboard. the failure has been occurring daily for the last nine months. the failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 164,000. updated 04/08/08. *lj the right turn signals and emergency flashers did not work. the consumer also stated the cruise control was a problem as well. updated
07/08/2005106/01/1997
 Dt: on 7/8/05 after driving the vehicle for about 20 minutes , vehicle was parked when owner noticed the tire had blown out, and a boom was heard. the owner ran outside and vehicle was in flames. the flames were noticed under hood of truck. the flames went into cab. the fire lasted about 30 or 35 minutes before it was put out. the fire was put out by fire department. the fire department never gave indication of what caused fire. there was a police report filed. no indication from the police department as to what caused the fire. there is a recall on 1996 extended cab ranger regarding the pressure break switch. but owner doesn't have the recall number. work tools were inside the vehicle when it burned. there were no lights inside the vehicle or warnings of a problem prior to the fire. there were no other major problems with vehicle. the fire has not been reported to insurance company. *nm
01/31/1999
 Electrical system malfunctioned, causing the dome light to come on unexpectedly, etc. common problem. please provide further information. *ak
07/08/1998
 Consumer has been experiencing ongoing problem concerning vehicle shutting down while driving at random. vehicle been in/out of dealer shop. consumer feels that the dealer put more miles on vehicle then the consumer for test driving. but yet the condition cannot be corrected. all costs still go to the consumer. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
07/01/2002102/01/1996
 Windshield wipers come on intermittently, vehicle has not been examined by dealer.*ak the lights on the dash went out. consumer found soot everywhere. consumers husband checked to see if a fuse had blown. they noticed that in the power distribution box the fuses used were higher than what the manual stated. these had 50 amp fuses. the manual calls for 30 amps. consumer feels this overage in power could have resulted in fire to the vehicle and that this may be the underlying problem with the windshield wipers. *jg
07/01/19991
 Dashlights are not working. consumer sees soot on the dash sometimes and smells something burning. dealer determined amps on factory installed fuses are too high. cannot remedy the problem. *ak consumer states that the fuses should have been a 30 amp. *scc
05/01/1998
 Whenever consumer hits a bump the windshield wipers come on. also every time he puts the vehicle into reverse fuse, which is connected to the overdrive switch and reverse lights, blows out. dealer and manufacturer has been notified.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
09/09/20001
 Engine. knocking rod at only 56,000 mi. over $3,000 for new engine. headlights failed to turn on before leaving driveway. came on after turning on high beams and turn signals. on 4 separate occasions, i'm about to downshift to make a turn and the engine cuts off. no power steering, nearly lost control.
04/01/1996101/01/1996
 Ignition spring failed.
10/19/1996
 Went over a puddle while driving at highway speed and the water got up into the engine and the engine cut off after 10 to 15 minutes later. please describe in detail.
 While driving at any speed, the vehicle engine shuts down and cannot be restarted again. please describe.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
 When traveling consumer noticed dimmer lights come on. also windshield wipers and the door warning light would come illuminated on the dash. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer stated the computer chip has gone bad. *ak *ml
11/15/1996107/05/1996
 Transmission and engine computer failed resulting in vehicle getting rear ended due to failures.
104/01/1996
 High speed engine miss due to defective computer. *ak
 When driving truck stalls, dealer said problem is the computer system and they are trying to make a part and it would take 3 months , now it has already been 9 months and manufacturer hasn't made the part . please describe . *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
06/15/2000207/01/1999
 While driving, chime would go off. driver would jiggle the key in the ignition switch to get it turned off. dealer was not notified at this time. *ak consumer states that the key will also come out of the switch while the vehicle is running. *slc
07/06/19985
 Engine check light keeps coming on. took to dealer & had it checked & repaired. had computer chip checked also. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
03/09/2005150001
 While vehicle was parked for 1 hourr a fire started under the hood. the fire was put out, and vehicle was totaled. dealership was notified, but did not resolved the problem. *ak
50009/01/1995
 Chime and light won't go out, wipers have short. i fear a fire due to overheated electrical wiring/components. *ak
03/20/2000112/01/1996
 Driving on interstate @ approx 60 mph when the engine quit running, actted like a wire had burnt into because the engine stopped and ran intermittent about 3 times. *ak
07/29/1999106/15/1996
 Steering column wiring shorted out resulting in burning. mjs
 Consumer was involved in a collision in which the vehicle caught on fire inside on the driver's side. cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
08/08/1996112/31/1995
 Wiring assembly failed.
 Rpm gauge not working . *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
04/17/20041126201
 An underhood electrical fire started at or near the speed deactivation switch mounted on the brake master cylinder.*ak
07/13/2002108/01/2096
 Vehicle caught fire after 1 hour drive, vehicle was 40% burned and declared a total loss. fire originated in engine compartment on drivers side.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
211/01/1996
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
12/31/2000102/01/1996
 Truck was taken for east ford (dealer) for transmission maintenance. the od light and reverse lights failed from that point on. truck taken back 4/16/2001 for same, dealer says wiring in steering/shifter is rubbed and requires shifter replacment.*ak
07/01/1998
 Under dash electrical wiring malfunctioned, causing headlights/ tail lights, and dome lights, etc, to fail. this may result in visual difficulty, and cause a crash. please provide further information. *ak
01/01/1999203/01/1997
 No summary
09/22/19981
 Had noticed smoke filling gauges & then turned black. had stopped vehicle & smelled smoke. checked vehicle & dashboard twice before it caught fire. the fire occurred from under the steering wheel/dashboard area. *ak
01/24/1999105/01/1998
 Part replaced with used parts. total cost $379.18, took 10 days to get repaired at bay ford, port orchard, wa, 98366. this failure caused a small fire within the steering column and filled the cab with smoke. this incident endangered the life of my 17 year old daughter. neither bay ford (repair facility ) nor ford customer service would handle this under warranty. *ak