NHTSA Complaint #10381068 — 2010 FORD E-350

ON THE 2003 AND UP FORD E-SERIES VANS USED FOR AMBULANCE CONVERSIONS. THE CABLE LEADING FROM THE REAR BATTERY UNDER THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD FACTORY JUMP STUD. THE CABLE IS CORRODING AND BREAKING OFF, CAUSING ARCING. ALSO THE FACTORY JUMP STUD, IS WHERE QVM RECOMMENDS THAT AMBULANCE MANUFACTURERS ATTATCH THE CABLE FEEDING THE AMBULANCE CONVERSION. WHEN THE FORD CABLE BREAKS, IT CAUSES THE AMBULANCE CONVERSION TO LOOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TYPICALLY INCLUDING ALL WARNING DEVICES IE SIRENS, LIGHTS, ETC. DOME ATTENDANT LIGHTING, INVERTERS, TWO-WAY RADIOS, SUCTION, ELECTRICAL OXYGEN SOLENOIDS, ETC. THIS POTENTIALLY NEGATIVELY IMPACT A PATIENT BEING TRANSPORTED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO THE ARCS FROM THE CORROSION DIRECTLY PRIOR TO THE CABLE SEPARATING, HAS CAUSED THE INSULATOR AROUND THE FORD JUMP STUD TO MELT, AS SEEN BY DEFORMITY, AND ALSO CHARRING, THIS IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THE COMPANY I WORK FOR HAS RECENTLY HAD TO CHANGE OUT THESE CABLES TO A HOME-BUILT DESIGN ON AROUND 75 OF THESE VEHICLES, INCLUDING 2010 MODELS. I SENT AN EMAIL TO FORD, AND THEY MORE OR LESS DECIDED THAT IT WAS A WHEELED COACH ISSUE, HOWEVER WHEELED COACH CLAIMS IT IS A FORD ISSUE. THIS PROBLEM IS SHOWING UP ON MORE THAN JUST WHEELED COACH BRAND AMBULANCES. A REDESIGN TO THE CONNECTIONS MADE AT THE JUMP STUD COULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, EITHER BY MOVING THE QVM RECOMMENDED ATTATCHMENT LOCATION, OR A BETTER DESIGN TO THE CABLES/AND JUMP STUD. *LN