NHTSA Complaint #10108047 — 2000 FORD F-150

I NOTICTED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK AROUND MAY OF 2004. WE WERE TAKING A LONG TRIP AND WHEN I WOULD PUSH THE BUTTON THE CRUISE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND THEN GO OFF. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES I GAVE UP ON IT THINKING I WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT LATER. ON THE MORNING OF 9/17/04 MY WIFE MOVED MY TRUCK ONTO THE STREET SO SHE COULD GOTO WORK. THAT WAS AROUND 7AM. AT ABOUT 9AM I WENT OUT TO THE TRUCK TO LEAVE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE WHEEL WELL. I PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND OPENED THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE PLUG AT THE REAR OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I GRABBED A HANDFUL OF DIRT AND THREW IT ON THE FIRE CAUSING THE FLAME TO GO OUT BUT IT TRIED TO REIGNITE. I THEN UNPLUGGED THE WIRES AND IT STOPPED ARCHING. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE MECHANIC WHO WORKS FOR THE DEPARTMENT AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT IT WAS A SENSOR FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. WE PUT ON A NEW SENSOR DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND LEFT THE WIRING HARNESS UNPLUGGED. THE DAMAGE WAS BLACK SOOT MARKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD AND A BURNT WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE NOT REPLACED ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT FOR THE SENSOR IN THE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK